Merrimack Warriors (17-16) vs Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (19-14)
Game Info: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 7:00 pm (Lawler Arena)
Betting Odds: Merrimack Warriors -3 -- Over/Under: 138.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Merrimack Warriors will host the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights in the Northeast Conference Final this Tuesday at Hammel Court on ESPN2. Merrimack leads the head-to-head series, 5-2, but FDU did win both meetings this season.
Fairleigh Dickinson moved to 19-14 after beating St. Francis (PA) at home. The Knights controlled the flow of the game, and ended SFU’s season with a 20-point win, 70-50. FDU is scoring 78.2 points per game, while allowing 75.2 ppg, and shooting 45.6% from the field.
Fairleigh Dickinson dispatched both St. Francis’, and they’ll now face the tall task of taking down the regular season conference champions. FDU scores at one of the highest clips in the country, and they’re led by a pair of redshirt seniors in Demeter Roberts and Grant Singleton. Roberts scored 20 points or more in three of the final five games, and he leads FDU in scoring (16.7) and assists (4.2). Singleton matched his consistent production and finished second on the team with 14.4 ppg and 3.4 apg. Sophomore forward Ansley Almonor scored 23 points in the season finale win over St. Francis (NY), and he’s up to 13.9 ppg and 4.7 rpg.
Merrimack moved to 16-16 after defeating LIU Brooklyn in the NEC Tournament quarterfinals. The Warriors held on to a big halftime lead to beat the Sharks by fifteen, 91-76. Merrimack is scoring 62.5 ppg, while allowing 62.2 ppg, and shooting 42% from the field.
Merrimack is streaking into this contest, and after winning nine straight contests, they have a real chance to win the tournament. Senior forward Jordan Minor has been one of the best players in the conference this season, after double-doubling in seven of the last nine games, he leads Merrimack in scoring (17.4) and rebounding (9.4). Fellow veteran swingman Ziggy Reid went off for 33 points in the first round win over LIU, and he’s second on the team in scoring at 13.9 ppg. Freshman guard Javon Bennett matched his energy with 26 points against the Sharks, and he’s up to 9.6 ppg and a team-lead 3.4 apg.
FDU is 12-18-1 against the spread this season, with a 18-12-1 over/under record. Merrimack is 15-16 ATS this year, with a 10-21 o/u record.
Merrimack carries a ton of momentum into this contest, and there’s a good chance they punch their ticket to the Big Dance this Tuesday. The Warriors have been locked in since a late-January loss to the Knights, and they will surely be out to avenge that here. FDU won’t go down without a fight, but Merrimack has been playing at a very high level right now, and they’re trustworthy hosts heading into this championship game. Take Merrimack’s spread for the NEC Final.
Corey’s Pick Merrimack -3
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
