As the college basketball season heats up, Mercyhurst is looking to make a statement with a win over Central Connecticut, a team that's riding a three-game winning streak. With both teams sitting outside the top 200 in NET rankings - Mercyhurst at 289 and Central Connecticut at 278 - every game counts in their quest for a tournament berth. Mercyhurst's quad record, particularly its 0-3 mark in Quad 1 games, highlights the need for quality wins to bolster its resume.
Central Connecticut, meanwhile, has been gaining momentum with its recent winning streak, which could give the Blue Devils an edge in this matchup. However, Mercyhurst's home-court advantage at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center might prove to be a decisive factor. According to the CHD Scout prediction, Mercyhurst is favored to win by 2.9 points, with a 60.8% win probability. This prediction suggests that the Lakers have a slight edge, but it's going to be a closely contested game.
CHD Scout Prediction
Central Connecticut
68
Mercyhurst
71
Given the similarities in their records and NET rankings, this game is essentially a toss-up. However, with Mercyhurst's stronger conference record and home-court advantage, I predict the Lakers will come out on top. Mercyhurst should be able to capitalize on its familiarity with the Mercyhurst Athletic Center and eke out a narrow victory, 71-68, over Central Connecticut. The Lakers' ability to contain Central Connecticut's offense and limit their scoring opportunities matters in securing the win.