Fairfield vs Niagara 2/12/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Niagara Purple Eagles will travel to Webster Bank Arena to take on the Fairfield Stags this Saturday afternoon in College Basketball action.

The Niagara Purple Eagles won their 3^rd straight game and improved to 11-11 on the season after defeating the Iona Gaels, 80-71, this past Sunday. Niagara was solid on the offensive end against Iona and was able to hold off the Gaels for the victory after taking a 67-58 lead with 4:50 left in regulation. Niagara shot 50.9% from the field & 25.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Iona to shoot 42.9% from the field & 50.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Purple Eagles was Marcus Hammond who had 21 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, & 1 steal.

On the season, Niagara is averaging 68.9 ppg on 45.0% shooting from the field. The Purple Eagles are averaging 7.4 three-pointers per game on 35.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Niagara has been led by Marcus Hammond (18.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.0 apg), Noah Thomasson (10.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.6 apg), Jordan Cintron (9.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.6 spg), & Sam Iorio (8.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.2 apg).

Defensively, Niagara is allowing their opponents to average 66.5 ppg on 41.0% shooting from the field. The Purple Eagles have a rebound margin of -2.5 and a turnover margin of 0.4.

The Fairfield Stags lost their 3^rd straight game and dropped to 10-13 on the season after being defeated by the Quinnipiac Bobcats, 69-60, this past Wednesday. Fairfield struggled on the offensive end against Quinnipiac and could not fight back after the Bobcats took a 57-43 lead with 8:17 left in regulation. Fairfield shot just 33.3% from the field & 30.4% from beyond the arc while allowing Quinnipiac to shoot 50.0% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Stags was Supreme Cook who had a double-double with 10 points, 16 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 blocks, & 1 steal.

On the season, Fairfield is averaging 69.3 ppg on 44.1% shooting from the field. The Stags are averaging 7.8 three-pointers per game on 33.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Fairfield has been led by Taj Benning (11.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.4 apg), Jake Wojcik (10.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.0 spg), Supreme Cook (10.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg), & Caleb Green (7.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.7 apg).

Defensively, Fairfield is holding their opponents to an average of 66.2 ppg on 43.0% shooting from the field. The Stags have a rebound margin of 1.8 and a turnover margin of 0.0.

The Purple Eagles are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. Fairfield & 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games played in February. The Stags are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games, however, are just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games.

Niagara is generally a team that is hard to trust on the road, however, the Purple Eagles look like they have turned a corner over the past week as not only were they able to take down Iona, but were also able to pick up an impressive road win recently at Monmouth. Fairfield has lost 10 of their last 12 games and have struggled on the offensive end this season, ranking just 227^th in scoring offense. Niagara has one of the best players in the MAAC in Marcus Hammond and as their defense, which ranks 108^th in scoring defense & 71^st in defensive FG%, should give the Stags some trouble, I think the play here is to take Niagara and the points. Good Luck!