Niagara vs Rider Prediction 3/8/25 College Basketball Picks

The Niagara Purple Eagles are visiting the Rider Broncs on Saturday, March 8th at the Alumni Gymnasium, in this MAAC matchup. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Niagara Purple Eagles vs Rider Broncs Prediction. We will examine:

The Niagara Purple Eagles’ recent form and player performance

The Rider Broncs’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Niagara Purple Eagles

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Rider Broncs

Recent betting trends in games played between the Rider Broncs and Niagara Purple Eagles

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Niagara Purple Eagles vs Rider Broncs game

Rider Broncs Preview

The Rider Broncs have a 12-18 record this season and are sitting in 9th place in the MAAC. Rider is coming off a 78-50 win over Canisius. The Broncs are 15-14-1 against the spread, and 14-16 in over/under, while having a 3-12 road record.

Offensively, Rider is averaging 66.4 points per game, which ranks just 344th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 71.3 points per game (162nd). The Broncs shoot 42.5% from the field (304th) and 31.3% from beyond the arc (317th). The Broncs shoot 71.5% from the free-throw line (207th) and are grabbing 34.4 rebounds per game (231st).

TJ Weeks leads Rider in scoring with an average of 13.8 points and 5.1 rebounds, while Jay Alvarez adds 10.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

Niagara Purple Eagles Preview

The Niagara Purple Eagles have an 11-19 record this season and are sitting in 11th place in the MAAC, and have already been eliminated from the upcoming conference tournament. Niagara is coming off a 78-68 win in Saint Peter’s. The Purple Eagles are 11-17-1 against the spread, and 15-14 in over/under while having a 4-7 home record.

Offensively, Niagara is averaging 68.2 points per game, which ranks 318th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 71.2 points per game (157th). The Purple Eagles shoot 44.8% from the field (179th) and 34.6% from beyond the arc (153rd). The Purple Eagles shoot 74.2% from the free-throw line (103rd) and are grabbing 30.9 rebounds per game (345th).

Olumide Adelodun leads Niagara in scoring with an average of 10.8 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Jaeden Marshall adds 10.2 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.

Why the Rider Broncs will win

• Niagara has lost nine of its last 10 day games against the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
• Rider has won six of its last seven home games against Niagara at Alumni Gymnasium.
• Niagara has lost the first half in each of its last six games against the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Why the Niagara Purple Eagles will win

• Rider has lost eight of its last 10 day games.
• The road team has won each of the last three games between Niagara and Rider.
• The road team has won the first half in each of the last four games between Niagara and Rider.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Rider’s last five home games against Conference opponents has produced a total of 131 or fewer points.
• Four of Niagara’s last five day games against the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference have produced a total of 137+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Rider ranks 17th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throws made per game this season (10.5).
• Rider ranks 27th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (68.5%).
• Niagara ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (77.1%).

Niagara Purple Eagles vs Rider Broncs Prediction

Rider is 7-3 in their last 10 meetings against Niagara, but Niagara is 3-2 against the spread in their last 5 meetings. Under is 4-1 in their last 5 meetings, and in their previous meeting earlier this season, Rider won 68-65 on the road, covering the spread, as the game went under the point total.

In this Niagara Purple Eagles vs Rider Broncs, Rider is coming as -3.5 home favorites. Both teams have almost identical records this season, and Rider has been below average at home and Niagara is struggling mightily on the road. Only Rider has something to play for in this game, as they are looking for the best placement possible in the upcoming conference tournament. The Broncs are 5-1-1 against the spread in their last 7 games, while the Eagles are 1-5 in their last 6. Don’t overcomplicate this, and take the only team that has something to play for, and is playing at home. Take the Rider Broncs and lay the points.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Rider Broncs -3.5