Manhattan vs. Canisius - 2/23/20 College Basketball Pick, Odds, and Prediction

On the season, Canisius is averaging 69.0 points per game on 44.0% shooting from the field.  The Golden Griffins are also averaging 6.1 three-pointers per game on 30.2% shooting from beyond the arc.  Majesty Brandon (13.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.3 apg) and Malik Johnson (13.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.9 apg) have been the leaders on offense for Canisius this season.

Defensively, Canisius is allowing their opponents to average 71.2 points per game on 44.9% shooting from the field.  The Golden Griffins are grabbing 7.2 steals per game and have a turnover margin of 0.4 on the season.

The Manhattan Jaspers have lost three games in a row and dropped to 11-13 (8-7 MAAC) after being defeated by the Saint Peter’s Peacocks, 67-64, this past Friday.  Manhattan found themselves tied 26-26 at the half but came out flat in the second half as Saint Peter’s jumped out to a 50-34 lead with 9:42 remaining in regulation.  The Jaspers tried to mount a furious comeback in the final minutes but couldn’t quite complete the comeback. Manhattan shot 48.9% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range.  Tykei Greene led the way for the Jaspers with 21 points, 3 rebounds, an assist and a steal.

On the season, Manhattan is averaging 63.5 points per game on 39.8% shooting from the field.  The Jaspers are also netting 7.3 three-pointers per game on 31.4% shooting from beyond the arc.  Tykei Greene (10.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.0 apg) and Pauly Paulicap (9.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.7 bpg) have been the offensive leaders for Manhattan this season.

Defensively, Manhattan is holding their opponents to an average of 64.8 points per game on 40.9% shooting from the field.  The Jaspers are grabbing 7.0 steals per game and have a turnover margin of 1.4 on the season.

Canisius is 1-5-1 against the spread in their last 7 games and 7-4-3 against the spread on the road this season.  Manhattan is 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games and 5-5 against the spread at home this season.

Canisius comes into this matchup ranking 115th in the country with 14.0 assists per game and 90th in college basketball in steals per game.  Manhattan currently ranks 58th in the country in scoring defense and 75th in blocked shots per game with 4.0.

Manhattan was able to get a road win in their last matchup with Canisius.  Neither team is playing well as of late but I think the Jaspers defense will be too much for Canisius and Manhattan will ride that to victory at home.  I am taking Manhattan to cover in this one.