Merrimack vs Canisius Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/6/24

The Merrimack Warriors and the Canisius Golden Griffins meet Friday in college basketball action from the Koessler Athletic Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Merrimack vs. Canisius prediction.

Merrimack Recap

The Merrimack Warriors come into this one looking to build on a 72-68 win over Troy last time out. After this game, the Warriors will head on the road to take on Niagara.

Warriors Looking To Build Momentum

Adam Clark leads Merrimack in scoring and assists with 19.9 PPG and 4.5 APG along with 2.5 SPG and 3.9 RPG as the lone double-digit scorer for Merrimack so far this season. Devon Savage also has 9 PPG while Sean Trumper has 8.9 PPG with a team-high 5.8 RPG to lead the Warriors on the glass up to this point in the year. As a team, Merrimack is averaging 60.8 PPG on 39.8% shooting from the field, 27.4% from three, and 73.4% from the foul line this season.

Why the Merrimack Warriors will win

• Canisius has lost each of its last nine games.
• Merrimack has won four of its last five games following a road win.

Canisius Recap

The Canisius Golden Griffins come into this game looking to bounce back from a 72-64 loss to Robert Morris last time out. After this game, Canisius will square off against Siena, Maine, Loyola Chicago, Bradley, and Sacred Heart.

Golden Griffins Looking To Nab First Win Of The Season

Paul McMillan IV leads the Griffins in scoring with 19.4 PPG along with 3.5 RPG and 2.3 APG while Tana Kopa has 12.3 PPG and 2.6 RPG as the only other double-digit scorer for Canisius so far this season. Cam Palesse has a team-high 5 RPG to lead the Golden Griffins on the glass while Anthony Benard’s logged a team-high 3.9 APG to lead the Golden Griffins in assists. As a team, Canisius is averaging 62.3 PPG on 40.4% shooting from the field, 33.2% from three, and 79.8% from the foul line this season.

Why the Canisius Golden Griffins will win

• Canisius has won each of its last eight night games at Koessler Athletic Center.
• Merrimack has lost each of its last four night games.

Merrimack vs. Canisius Recap

I’m looking at Merrimack here, though I don’t love this game necessarily. The Golden Griffins are better at the foul line, but they’re also 3rd-worst in the country at getting to the foul line so the avenue to success could be tough here. The Golden Griffins’ defense has been horrendous for much of the season, and I think Merrimack can take advantage. The Warriors haven’t been great offensively either, but there’s a significant edge in defense in my opinion and I can’t look past it here. Give me the Warriors.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Merrimack -7.5