FDU at Le Moyne
The regular season series is split with FDU winning the last matchup just two weeks ago and in that game, Ocypher Owens was out, which was a major factor in Ansley Almoner’s 30-point clubbing of the Dolphins. With Owens back healthy, Le Moyne’s frontcourt is at full strength and the team has a plethora of options who can navigate FDU’s press, as the Dolphins rank first in the NEC in A/FGM ratio (60.1%) and third in turnover percentage (16.7%). I also expect Le Moyne star wing Kaiyem Cleary to continue to get his against FDU, as the senior has scored 41 points combined in both matchups. My pick: Le Moyne
Wagner at Sacred Heart
Fresh off their exhilarating 89-85 victory over Merrimack, the Sacred Heart Pioneers have now won four of their last five games. Injury issues to 6’7 Brendan McGuire and 6’8 Raymond Espinal-Guzman is concerning as Wagner sophomore big Keyontae Lewis has scored in double-digits in five of his last six games. It makes you question whether Wagner head coach Donald Copeland will pound it inside to force pressure in Alex Sobel to get him in foul trouble, forcing SHU head coach Anthony Latina to play more small-ball with Nico Galette at the 5, which plays to Wagner’s offensive rebounding advantage. That being said, Wagner wants to keep this game at a glacial pace, but Sacred Heart has the playmakers to push the tempo and shooters to convert when Wagner slows it down to the halfcourt. I expect this matchup to be the closest game of the evening. My pick: Sacred Heart
Saint Francis at Central Connecticut State:
It’s rare to find a #1 vs #8 opening game where the underdog has almost gotten the most recent win, but that’s the case with CCSU beating Saint Francis 63-to-62 back on February 1st. In that game, the Red Flash forced an uncharacteristic fifteen Blue Devils turnovers, including a combined nine from Jordan Jones and Kellen Amos. That performance was inexcusable and expect Patrick Sellers to have his team ready to dominate early. My pick: CCSU
LIU at Merrimack:
Back in early February, LIU almost shocked the Merrimack Warriors in a sloppy overtime tilt with both teams combining for 42 turnovers, 58 fouls and an ice cold 57% from the charity stripe. Winning ten straight prior to their regular season finale loss to Sacred Heart, expect the Warriors’ defense to be laser focused and taking advantage of LIU’s mistake-prone offense. My pick: Merrimack
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