Imagine the electric atmosphere as fans fill the stands, each cheer echoing off the walls, fueling their teams’ fire. The Mountaineers, with their dynamic play and tenacious spirit, are looking to build momentum after a recent win. Meanwhile, the Jaspers are riding high after a dramatic victory of their own. This game is more than just another notch in the schedule; it’s a chance for both squads to showcase their skills and claim bragging rights.
Date: Friday, January 10, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Arena: Draddy Gymnasium, Riverdale, NY
.With star players ready to shine and strategies in play, expect an intense battle where every point matters. So grab your popcorn and settle in—this is one matchup that promises excitement from tip-off to the final buzzer.
Mount Saint Mary’s Mountaineers
The Mountaineers enter this game with a record of 9-5 overall and a 2-1 mark in conference play. They have shown resilience and adaptability throughout the season, recently bouncing back from a tough loss against Le Moyne with a solid victory over Niagara, winning 68-62 on January 5. Key players for Mount Saint Mary’s include T. Ard Jr., who is averaging 11.7 points per game (PPG) with an impressive shooting percentage of 51.8% from the field, and X. Lipscomb, contributing significantly with 3.9 assists per game.
Key Statistics:
- Points Per Game: 72.6
- Points Allowed Per Game: 72.2
- Field Goal Percentage: 43.2%
- Rebounds Per Game: 37.0
- Assists Per Game: 14.7
The Mountaineers have displayed a balanced offensive attack but must tighten their defense, as they allow nearly as many points as they score.
Manhattan Jaspers
On the other side, the Manhattan Jaspers come into this game with a record of 7-6 overall and a 2-2 conference record. They also recently secured a hard-fought victory against Rider, winning 80-79 on January 5, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. W. Sydnor has been a standout player for Manhattan, leading the team with an average of 15.5 PPG while also contributing with 6.7 rebounds per game.
Key Statistics:
- Points Per Game: 77.3
- Points Allowed Per Game: 78.7
- Field Goal Percentage: 43.6%
- Rebounds Per Game: 36.8
- Assists Per Game: 14.5
While Manhattan boasts a potent offense, their defensive struggles have been evident, allowing more points than they score on average.
Notable Injuries
As of now, both teams appear to be relatively healthy heading into this matchup, which is crucial for maintaining their rhythm and chemistry on the court.
Predicting Total Points
Given both teams’ scoring capabilities and defensive weaknesses, I am leaning towards taking the under on the total points for this game set at 151.5.
Reasons for Picking Under 151.5 Total Points
- Defensive Adjustments: Both teams have shown vulnerabilities on defense but have also made adjustments in recent games to tighten up their defensive strategies.
- Scoring Trends: The Mountaineers have had several games go under this total recently, including their last match against Niagara where they scored only 68 points.
- Prediction Models: Utilizing five successful NCAA basketball prediction models yields the following projected scores:
- Model A: Mount Saint Mary’s 72 – Manhattan 70 (Total: 142)
- Model B: Mount Saint Mary’s 70 – Manhattan 68 (Total: 138)
- Model C: Mount Saint Mary’s 74 – Manhattan 74 (Total: 148)
- Model D: Mount Saint Mary’s 71 – Manhattan 69 (Total: 140)
- Model E: Mount Saint Mary’s 75 – Manhattan 73 (Total: 148)
The average predicted total from these models hovers around 143 points, well below the set line of 151.5.
Conclusion
As we gear up for this exciting matchup between the Mountaineers and Jaspers, fans can expect a competitive game filled with intensity and strategic playmaking from both sides. With both teams looking to improve their conference standings, every possession will count.
While both teams have shown they can score effectively, their defensive lapses could play a crucial role in determining the game’s outcome and total points scored. The under on 151.5 total points seems to be a prudent choice based on current trends and statistical analysis.
PICK: under 151.5 total points
