Posted at 2:15 PM EST. Odds subject to change.

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Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ

Canisius +153 over Mount Saint Mary’s

Streaming: ESPN+

5:15 PM EST. The Golden Griffins of Canisius enter this Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament (MAAC) as the #9 seed after posting an 8-12 record in the conference and a 13-17 mark overall. While that sub-.500 record is not going to turn heads, it is worth noting that the Griffins played a tough non-conference schedule that ranked 68th in the nation's top 100. Canisius played Power Six schools in Syracuse and Pitt, as well as quality mid-majors in St. Bonaventure, Wofford, Western Kentucky, and High Point, who won the Big South regular-season crown. In their previous meetings this season, Canisius split their games with the #8 seeded Mountaineers of Mount Saint Mary’s, losing on the road, 74-69, at the beginning of January and then beating the Mountaineers at home in Buffalo at the start of March, 61-56.

Meanwhile, the #8 seeded Mountaineers of Mount St. Mary’s (MSM) were on their way to a strong finish in the MAAC, but after a four-game winning streak between February 2-10, MSM fell off the map, losing three straight and then trading wins and losses for their last four games to settle at 9-11 in the conference and 13-18 overall. However, that record is weaker than it already shows, as the Mountaineers built their 13 wins on the back of a weak non-conference schedule that ranks 313th of 362 Division I programs.

When you feast on the fat, you are supposed to win, but Mount St. Mary’s dropped games to weak teams like American (270), Howard (275), Manhattan (335), Delaware State (309), Saint Peter’s (235), and Niagara (261). Asking the Mountaineers to spot points in a tournament format on a neutral site against a team that is arguably better than they are is not an appealing proposition. In fact, the Golden Griffins just might be the best value bet on the college hoops board tonight. Wrong side favored, Canisius outright is the call.

Sherwood

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