Marist Red Foxes (17-12) vs. Fairfield Stags (21-11)
March 15, 2024 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Fairfield Stags -3.5; Over/Under: -
(Get latest betting odds)
The Marist Red Foxes and the Fairfield Stags meet Friday in MAAC Tournament college basketball action from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. Let’s get into our Marist vs Fairfield prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Marist Red Foxes
The Red Foxes have had their ups and downs this year but haven’t been playing too badly as of late. Following a 10-9 start, Marist pulled off a five-game win streak before a 1-3 run in February/March. The Foxes would finish off the regular season with a win over Niagara, then took out the Eagles again on Thursday.
In Thursday’s tourney rematch versus Niagara, Marist was in trouble with a 36-24 halftime deficit. The Red Foxes posted a 41-23 run from there however, bagging the comeback win in the end 65-59. Jadin Collins was the team’s top performer with his 20 points, five steals and four assists.
More College Basketball Picks: Florida vs Alabama Prediction!
Fairfield Stags
Over on the Fairfield side, they were sitting at 13-9 in early February following consecutive losses. Since then the Stags are on a nice 9-2 run. In the last seven games Fairfield has beaten Mount St. Mary’s, Quinnipiac, Siena, Canisius, Mount St. Mary’s again and Iona (with a loss to Marist).
In their Wednesday matchup versus Iona, the Stags had a relatively close call but still made it through. Fairfield was up 34-31 at the break, then scored another 34 points in the second half for a 68-63 win. Leading scorer Jalen Leach put up 22 points with eight rebounds and four steals.
ANDREW’S FREE MARIST VS FAIRFIELD PREDICTION
I’ll probably just lean toward Fairfield here. The Stags weren’t exactly overwhelming against a so-so Iona team in their first tournament outing, but it was good enough to win. Fairfield shot 43.1 percent from the field in that one with just 4-of-22 (18.2 percent) from 3-point range. The 14-of-17 (82.4 percent) from the line was a nice touch, though. The Stags have scored 74 or more points in five of their last six wins, so a big total here would certainly help.
In their last meeting on March 1, the Red Foxes bagged a home win over Fairfield 58-55. Marist held the Stags to a miserable 28.3 percent shooting from the field and 8-of-28 (28.6 percent) from 3-point range. Fairfield will obviously need a much better offensive effort in this rematch, and if they can get it I think the Stags can control the pace.
