As we dive into the second half of the college basketball season, the margin for error is shrinking for teams on the tournament bubble. In the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, two squads are jostling for position, and their upcoming matchup could be a pivotal moment in their seasons. everything is lined up at MVP Arena, where the home team is looking to capitalize on their advantage and bolster their resume.
Siena, with a 13-7 overall record and a 6-3 mark in conference play, is currently sitting at 189 in the NET rankings. While their quad record is somewhat underwhelming, with a 0-1 mark in Quad 1 and 1-3 in Quad 3, they're still very much in the mix. A win over their conference foe would be a significant boost, especially considering it would be a Quad 3 victory. Marist, on the other hand, boasts a slightly better NET ranking at 138, but their own quad record is similarly unimpressive. Both teams are in dire need of quality wins to build a tournament-worthy resume.
According to the CHD Scout prediction, Siena is favored to win by a slim 2.3-point margin, with a 58.7% win probability. This is a reflection of the home team's advantage, as well as their recent form, which has seen them go 2-1 in their last three outings. Marist, meanwhile, has been inconsistent, with a 1-1 record in their last two games. Unfortunately, there's no notable player momentum to speak of in this matchup, so it'll come down to which team can execute their game plan more effectively.
CHD Scout Prediction
Marist
67
Siena
69
The stakes are high here, with both teams vying for a crucial conference win that could make all the difference on Selection Sunday. The winner will not only gain a leg up in the MAAC standings but also bolster their tournament chances. Given the CHD Scout prediction and Siena's home-court advantage, I'm predicting a narrow 69-67 victory for the home team. Siena's ability to feed off the energy of the MVP Arena crowd and their slightly better recent form should give them the edge they need to come out on top.