Category: NCAA-B

Two Metro Atlantic teams will square off tonight when the Canisius Golden Griffins travel to Riverdale, NY to take on the Manhattan Jaspers. The last time these two teams met, the boys from Western New York prevailed in a 65-62 win. The Griffins are ranked 151 in offensive field goal percentage, as opposed to the Jaspers who are ranked 220. Canisius has the edge in field goal percentage, free throw percentage, defense and turnovers. I’m siding with the boys from Buffalo tonight and taking the points.

Tonight’s pick:

Canisius Golden Griffins +4

The IPFW Mastodons, who are 5-2 on the season and second in the Summit League Conference, will play a road game tonight against the Austin Peay Governors, who are 4-2 on the season and second in the Ohio Valley West Conference. One thing the Mastodons do is cover, going 37-16-2 ATS in their last 55 road games, 10-3 ATS in their last 13 Wednesday games, and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 against the Ohio Valley Conference. The Governors are just the opposite, going 6-21 ATS in their last 27 home games, and 0-5 ATS in their last 5 against the Summit League Conference. This coupled with the Mastodons having the edge in points per game, field goal percentage, defense, rebounding and bench, I see them winning this game and covering the 7 points.

Tonight’s pick:

IPFW Mastodons -7

The VCU Rams are off to a great start in the 2016-2017 campaign and will try to keep it rolling tonight when they host the Princeton Tigers at the Stuart Siegel Center. The Rams are ranked second in the Atlantic 10, they are 5-1 overall and a perfect 2-0 in Richmond. The Commonwealth is ranked 25th in offensive field goal percentage, averaging 80.5 points per game at home, and holding teams to an average of 53.5. The Tigers enter tonight’s contest 2-2 on the season, are ranked 211th in offensive field goal percentage, averaging 70.3 points per game on the road, and holding teams to an average of 71.0. Princeton is a dismal 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall and I don’t see them covering tonight.

Tonight’s pick:

VCU Rams -5.5

The Wright State Raiders have been tough at home, posting a 4-1 record, and they should make it 5-1 today when they host the North Florida Ospreys. The Raiders are ranked 147th in offensive field goal percentage, averaging 79.5 points per game and allowing an average of 78.0 at the Nutter Center. The Osprey are 0-2 on the road, are ranked 286th in offensive field goal percentage, average 68.0 points per game on the road and hold opponents to an average of 80.5. The Raiders have the edge in every catagory but bench. Wright State should cover the 5.5.

Today’s pick:

Wright State Raiders -5.5

The 1-3 Sacramento State Hornets will post up today against the 3-0 San Francisco Dons on a neutral court in Cheney, Washington. Sacramento is ranked 338th in offensive field goal percentage, averaging 62.0 points per game and allowing an average of 84.7. On the flip side, the Dons are ranked 38th in offensive field goal percentage, averaging 78.7 points per game and giving up an average of 70.0. San Francisco has the edge in points per game, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, defense, rebounding and bench. The numbers favor the Dons in this one.

Today’s pick:

San Francisco Dons -4.5

The 0-1 Illinois State Redbirds will have their home opener tonight when they host the 1-1 IUPU-Fort Wayne Mastodons in Normal, Illinois. In the Mastodons’ first two contests, they averaged 100 points and allowed an average of 76. In the Redbirds’ road loss to Murray State, they put up 70 points and gave up 73. The Mastodons are 37-15-2 ATS in their last 54 road games and like playing on Wednesdays, covering 10 of their last 12 games. I like the ‘Dons in this one, +6.5

Tonight’s pick:

IUPU-Fort Wayne Mastodons +6.5

The 1-0 Fairfield Stags will try to make it 2-0 when they travel to New Hampshire tonight to take on the 0-1 Dartmouth Big Green. In their win over Sacred Heart on Friday, the Stags scored 85 points, allowed 63 and are ranked 27th in offensive field goal percentage. On the flip side, the Big Green scored 61 points in their loss to the Rhode Island Rams, gave up 84 and are ranked 287th in offensive field goal percentage. Fairfield has the edge in points per game, field goals, defense, rebounds and turnovers. These two teams met once last year in a Fairfield 97-85 victory. I’m taking the road favorite, Stags -2.

Tonight’s pick:

Fairfield Stags -2