record 20-20
Niagara -2.5
Niagara is off to a slow start but I think they will get on track against a poor Loyola team. Niagara was picked to finish 2nd in the MAAC while Loyola was picked last in the conference at 10th. Niagara has their top 3 rebounders and 3 of their top 4 scorers back from last year's team. Niagara has won the L9 meetings including 23 and 20 point wins against Loyola last year.
Iona +1
Think Fairfield will have problems with the better teams in the conference without their big men, Deng and Gai. Iona has won the L7 meetings and have 3 of their top 4 scorers back. Fields was their top leading scorer and rebounder last season and is preseason all MAAC 1st team while F Jenkins is a 2nd team pick. They also get a good shooter in Wofford back who shot 42% from 3 pt. range. Iona is shooting 52% from the field thru 5 games and allowing 43% while Fairfield is hitting just 40% while allowing 46%. Think the Gaels have an advantage in every phase of the game and win this one on the road.
Virginia Tech -12.5
VMI is 2-1 but those wins were against some terrible teams in Libety and St. Francis. They were dominated by a bad Tennessee team losing 88-56. They have nothing inside and were outrebounded by 15 against Tennessee. VT has some good big men and Taylor, Thompkins, and Matthews should control the paint. Hokies have played good defense allowing just 36.7% shooting. VT has some good 3 point shooters and Taylor is avg. 20 ppg and shooting 63% on the interior. They should have no problem scoring against a poor defensive team like VMI. I expect an easy win here.
Niagara -2.5
Niagara is off to a slow start but I think they will get on track against a poor Loyola team. Niagara was picked to finish 2nd in the MAAC while Loyola was picked last in the conference at 10th. Niagara has their top 3 rebounders and 3 of their top 4 scorers back from last year's team. Niagara has won the L9 meetings including 23 and 20 point wins against Loyola last year.
Iona +1
Think Fairfield will have problems with the better teams in the conference without their big men, Deng and Gai. Iona has won the L7 meetings and have 3 of their top 4 scorers back. Fields was their top leading scorer and rebounder last season and is preseason all MAAC 1st team while F Jenkins is a 2nd team pick. They also get a good shooter in Wofford back who shot 42% from 3 pt. range. Iona is shooting 52% from the field thru 5 games and allowing 43% while Fairfield is hitting just 40% while allowing 46%. Think the Gaels have an advantage in every phase of the game and win this one on the road.
Virginia Tech -12.5
VMI is 2-1 but those wins were against some terrible teams in Libety and St. Francis. They were dominated by a bad Tennessee team losing 88-56. They have nothing inside and were outrebounded by 15 against Tennessee. VT has some good big men and Taylor, Thompkins, and Matthews should control the paint. Hokies have played good defense allowing just 36.7% shooting. VT has some good 3 point shooters and Taylor is avg. 20 ppg and shooting 63% on the interior. They should have no problem scoring against a poor defensive team like VMI. I expect an easy win here.
