As the college basketball season heats up, teams like Sacred Heart and Rider are scrambling to accumulate quality wins to boost their NET rankings and tournament chances. Sacred Heart, currently sitting at 294 in the NET rankings, want to capitalize on a favorable matchup against Rider, who ranks 358. The Broncs' dismal 2-17 record and 0-4 mark in Quad 1 games make this a must-have win for the Pioneers.
Rider's recent form has been inconsistent, with a win sandwiched between two losses in their last three outings. Meanwhile, Sacred Heart is coming off a loss, but their 5-6 conference record suggests they have the potential to make some noise in the MAAC. According to the CHD Scout prediction, Sacred Heart is expected to win by 8.9 points, with Rider's win probability sitting at just 20.9%. With the Pioneers favored by 3.5 points, it's clear that they're the team to beat in this matchup.
CHD Scout Prediction
Sacred Heart
77
Rider
68
Neither team has a player with significant momentum, but Sacred Heart's overall performance suggests they have the edge. Given the Quad 4 context of this game, a win won't drastically alter either team's tournament trajectory, but it's still essential for building confidence and momentum. I predict Sacred Heart will take down Rider 77-68, leveraging their slightly better form and conference record to secure a road win. With their tournament resume still a work in progress, a victory over Rider is a crucial step in the right direction for the Pioneers.