The annual inverted relationship is in full effect: as the outside temperature drops in the northeast, the action heats up in the gyms. Atlantic 10, MAAC and Patriot conference play is in full swing bringing the truth to the surface.
Friday, January 14th
Marist (2-3/7-9) at Canisius (0-5/3-12) 7:00 PM
The young Red Foxes come to the Koessler Athletic Center on a stormy, stormy night in Buffalo, New York. Freshmen Chavaughn Lewis, Isaiah Morton and Manny Thomas account for a combined 28 points and 10 rebounds per night. How does that convert when the Griffs play 2-3 zone showing some match-up tendencies? Could get tricky for these frosh making their first Buffalo swing through the MAAC ledger. It’s all part of ooh, ooh Growin’ Up…Chris Manhertz will add to his list of double-doubles. Harold Washington will slice and dice.
Griffs by five.
Loyola (4-1/11-4) at Fairfield (3-2/8-8) 9:00 PM
Fairfield’s inability to score from the outside has been exposed of late. Siena played a tight zone, and the Stags lacked a response. The Greyhounds might be able to hang with the Stags playing man-to-man, but don’t be surprised if Loyola plays “hands up harry” in the second half.
Loyola by a deuce.
Saturday, January 15th
St. Bonaventure (2-1/9-6) at Xavier (2-1/11-5) Noon
The Musketeers continue to wear the Scarlet Letter. Judging by Xavier’s recent thrashing of Duquesne, like Hawthorne’s heroine, the penalty might make them stronger. The Bonnies are Slim Pickens and gang pulling up to the Gov. William J. Le Petomane toll stop. Now? The Bonnies have to play Xavier now? Ten days ago would have been better for the Brown and White. Bona might need a whole “pocketful” of dimes like . Demitrius Conger matching up with Dez Wells should be intriguing. Will the Bonnies attack the offensive glass? Or choose to stymie Xavier in transition? Expect the Bonnies to defend Kenny Frease before he gets the ball. Tu Holloway will put up more shots than of late.
X wins, but not by a lot.
Duquesne (1-2/10-7) at Rhode Island (0-2/3-14) 2:00 PM
Rhody is taking on the look of a sea-faring vessel like the one in Poseidon Adventure that unknowingly came upon an underwater earthquake. It might take an act such as that of Belle Rosen (played by Shelley Winters in the 1972 version) swimming underwater to find safe passage for the others on board. The Rams might also find Rosen’s undoing. It’s not life or death, but coming off a loss at GW, the Rams are getting desperate. Don’t expect the Dukes to help. TJ McConnell, Sean Johnson and Eric Evans will see to it.
Duquesne by 7.
Holy Cross (2-0/8-8) at American (1-1/10-7) 2:00 PM
A match up of last week’s headline grabbers. Holy Cross reminded everyone they are still contenders with a six-point victory over Lehigh. American dominated the Patriot individual honors for the week with Charles Hinkle (POTW) and John Schoof (ROTW) getting the job done. American has not lost at home this year. That trend will continue.
AU by six.
St. Louis (1-2/13-4) at Charlotte (2-1/9-6) 2:00 PM
The Billikens look to right the ship after a couple of stumbles. Pierria Henry leads a surprising 49er club. Defense travels well, and the Billikens play it.
St. Louis by 4.
Army (0-2/7-10) at Navy (0-2/3-13) 2:30 PM
The 115th meeting of the service academies. The Mids come in limping – losers of their last nine. Ella Ellis and Julian Simmons lead a Black Knight squad that is ready to show the lessons of some road losses.
Army by five.
La Salle (2-0/13-4) at Dayton (2-1/12-5) 7:00 PM
You’re going to need a bigger boat. Dr. Giannini might want to consider Brody’s advice given to the grisly Quint in the 1975 classic, Jaws. Yeah, the Flyers are down one, probably two guys, but Archie Miller is not making excuses. After Wednesday’s loss to SBU at the Reilly Center Miller stated:“I don’t care who is on our team. When we show up, we have to be ready to battle. We have to be ready to play and compete.” Is that a gulp I just heard from the City of Brotherly Love? This will be the Explorers first conference road game. They have made their mark by slowing the opposing team’s leading scorer. Which Flyer do you pick? The Bonnies needed 30 from Andrew Nicholson at home to beat UD. Josh Parker led the Flyers in scoring. Known as “Juice” because he plays with so much energy, Parker scored 19 off the bench.
Dayton by six.
Temple (1-1/11-4) at Richmond (1-1/10-7) 7:00 PM
Not that we at Pickin’ Splinters want to encourage alcohol consumption (although it does not make someone a bad person if they partake), but did Fran Dunphy find a Bloody Mary that works? After knocking off nationally ranked Duke, the Owls looked out of synch against Dayton. The Flyers do play stingy defense, but a 10-point loss in Philly? Temple is coming off a five-point win in St. Louis. Did they leave their game in the shadow of the Arch? Or is it in their gunny sack ready to travel to Richmond. The Owls have Darien Brothers in the sights.
Temple by three.
Siena (3-3/8-8) at Manhattan (4-2/11-7) 7:00 PM
Perhaps rumors of Siena’s demise were greatly exaggerated by myself …and others. The Saints recovered from a nearly 40 point thrashing at the hands of Iona to win three straight all at home. This game is on the road. Coach Masiello might be calling Fran Dunphy for his Bloody Mary concoction after coming from 17 down to hand Iona its first defeat.
The Jaspers by two.
Sunday, January 15th
Marist (2-3/7-9) at Niagara (1-4/6-11) 2:00 PM
The second game of the Buffalo swing? Against a feisty Niagara team? Marist meet Juan’ya Green and company.
Purple Eagles by five.
Loyola (4-1/11-4) at Iona (5-1/13-4) 3:30 PM
Any chance that Jimmy Patsos and his Loyola Greyhounds could sneak up on Iona evaporated when the Gaels fell at the buzzer to Manhattan. Now, Patsos might as well drive that dusty road from Monroe to Angeline because Tim Cluess will make sure his Gaels prove it all night…or evening as it pertains here.
Iona by seven. But look out when the Gaels head to Baltimore.
Give us your take. What games are on your radar?
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