As the college basketball season heats up, Saint Francis is looking to make a statement against Stonehill, a team with a similar record and conference standing. With both teams sitting in the lower half of the NEC, a win would not only improve their conference record but also provide a much-needed quality win to bolster their tournament resume. Saint Francis, currently ranked 349 in the NET rankings, desperately needs to string together some wins to climb out of the bottom quartile of Division I teams.
The CHD Scout prediction has Stonehill edging out Saint Francis by 2.6 points, with the Red Flash having just a 40.2% chance of winning. This is largely due to Stonehill's slightly stronger quad record, although both teams have struggled against top-tier opponents. Saint Francis has gone 0-3 against Quad 1 teams and 0-2 against Quad 2 teams, while Stonehill has managed just a 0-1 record against Quad 1 teams and 0-3 against Quad 2 teams.
CHD Scout Prediction
Stonehill
71
Saint Francis
68
Despite the odds, Saint Francis has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in their last outing, where they snapped a two-game losing streak. Meanwhile, Stonehill is looking to bounce back from a loss after winning their previous two games. With neither team having a player on a noticeable hot or cold streak, this game will likely come down to which team can execute their game plan more effectively.
Tournament Stakes
I predict Stonehill will take this one, 71-68, as their slightly stronger overall record and recent form give them a narrow edge. The Red Flash must bring their A-game if they hope to pull off the upset and give their tournament hopes a much-needed boost.