The Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen meet in college basketball action from Alumni Hall on Saturday afternoon.

The Army Black Knights will look to build on a 76-65 win over Boston U last time out to improve to 8-3 on the year. Lonnie Grayson leads Army In scoring with 12.8 PPG while Josh Caldwell has 12.1 PPG with 5.2 RPG and Alex King has 11.8 PPG with 3.9 RPG to make up the trio of double-digit scorers for Army coming into Saturday’s rivalry game against Navy. Jalen Rucker has a team-high 3.2 APG to go along with 7.6 PPG and Nick Finke has 6 RPG to lead the Black Knights in rebounding this season. As a team, Army is averaging 73.9 PPG on 47.3% shooting from the field, 34.5% from 3-point range and 58.4% from the foul line while giving up 66.7 PPG on 43% shooting from the field and 32.2% from 3-point range this season.

The Navy Midshipmen will be looking to add to a 71-59 win over American last time out. Cam Davis leads the Middies in scoring and assists with 18.6 PPG and 2.9 APG while John Carter Jr. has 11.9 PPG with 4.5 RPG to make up the duo of double-digit scorers for Navy coming into Saturday’s game against Army. Greg Summers also has a team-high 5.1 RPG for the Midshipmen this season. As a team, Navy is averaging 72.2 PPG on 44.9% shooting from the field, 33.5% from 3-point range and 72.7% from the foul line while allowing 68.4 PPG on 47% shooting from the field and 34.2% from 3-point range this season.

Army is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a win while the over is 6-1 in their last 7 Saturday games. Navy is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games while the over is 13-4 in their last 17 Saturday games. The underdog is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings between these two teams.

I went back and forth on this game and as a rivalry game I’m expecting a fantastic battle. With that said, I considered Army and the points, but if this is a close game throughout like I’m expecting, I’m not sure I can back a team that’s shooting just 58% at the foul line as those free thitems are usually the difference. Navy’s been much better at the line and if called upon late, I trust them to make their free thitems more than I do Army. I’ll lay the points with Navy in that one.