The Merrimack Warriors and the Bucknell Bison meet Sunday in college basketball action from Sojka Pavilion. Merrimack is 2-11 on the year and coming off a loss to Maine. As for Bucknell, they’re 6-4 this season. The Bison lost to La Salle on Tuesday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Merrimack has wins over Clark and UNE so far this year. Otherwise it’s been losses to St. John’s, Troy, Montana, St. Thomas MN, Providence, Bradley, UMass Lowell, Boston U, Vermont, San Francisco and Maine.
In the Maine game last weekend, the Warriors were up 26-23 going into the second half. Merrimack was outscored 27-21 from there and lost 50-47, however. Jordan Minor doubles up with 19 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
Over on the Bucknell side, their wins have come versus Lebanon Valley, Niagara, Presbyterian, Austin Peay, St. Francis PA and NJIT. The losses have been courtesy of Saint Peter’s, Georgia, Marist and La Salle.
In the La Salle game on Tuesday, Bucknell trailed 41-32 at the break. The Bison were outscored 41-40 in the second half and lost 82-72. Andre Screen doubled up in the defeat with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
PICK: I’ll probably stay with Bucknell. There’s not a ton to like about this matchup, though. The Bison are coming off a rough loss to a mediocre La Salle team but otherwise they’ve played pretty well over the last three games. Bucknell has scored 72 or more points in four of their last five games. As for Merrimack, they’re in the midst of a lost season. The Warriors were able to give Maine a scare but otherwise haven’t been close in their losses lately. I don’t think Merrimack will get it done here either.