As the college basketball season heats up, Marist is looking to make a statement with a win over Merrimack at McCann Arena. With a 13-7 record and a NET ranking of 151, the Red Foxes are in need of quality wins to bolster their tournament resume. A victory over the Warriors would be a significant step in the right direction, especially considering Merrimack's Quad 3 designation. Marist's quad record, which includes an 0-1 mark in Quad 2 games and a 1-4 record in Quad 3 contests, highlights the importance of securing a win in this matchup.
Merrimack, meanwhile, is looking to pull off an upset and boost its own tournament chances. The Warriors have been inconsistent of late, with a win-loss-win record in their last three games. With a NET ranking of 214 and a quad record that includes a 3-7 mark in Quad 3 games, Merrimack needs to start stringing together quality wins to get back in the bubble conversation. According to the CHD Scout prediction, Marist is favored to win by 8.7 points, with a 78.5% win probability.
CHD Scout Prediction
Merrimack
63
Marist
71
Given the recent form of both teams, it's likely that Marist will come out on top. The Red Foxes are riding a three-game win streak, and their home-court advantage at McCann Arena should give them an extra boost. With no player momentum data to suggest otherwise, it's hard to see Merrimack pulling off the upset. I predict Marist will win by around 9 points, 71-63, behind a strong performance from their veteran core. The Red Foxes' ability to capitalize on Merrimack's struggles in Quad 3 games will be the deciding factor in this matchup.