Mount St. Mary’s vs Niagara Pick – Basketball Predictions & Odds 2/17/23

The Niagara Purple Eagles and the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers meet Friday in college basketball action from Knott Arena. Niagara is currently 14-10 on the year. The Eagles lost to Iona in their last matchup. As for Mount St. Mary’s, they’re sitting at 8-18 overall and coming off a loss to Fairfield on Sunday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Niagara Purple Eagles 

Niagara managed to go 9-7 over their first 15 games for a shaky start to the season. The Eagles are 5-3 since then with wins over Saint Peter’s, Manhattan, Canisius, Siena and Quinnipiac alongside losses to Marist, Rider and Iona. 

Matched up against Iona on Sunday, the Eagles were outscored 46-29 in the first half. Niagara managed to keep the pace from there but ultimately came away with a 72-55 loss. Noah Thomasson led the team with his 24 points and six rebounds. 

Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers 

Over on the Mount St. Mary’s side, they kicked off the year on a rough 6-12 run. The Mountaineers have won just two of their last eight games, losing otherwise to Siena, Fairfield, Saint Peter’s, Iona, Siena and Fairfield again. 

In the Fairfield rematch on Sunday, the Mountaineers scored 32 points in the first half, 32 in the second and eight in overtime during a tough 76-72 defeat. Jalen Benjamin posted 22 points to lead the way and Dakota Leffew added 21 points. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stay with Niagara in this one. The Eagles didn’t play particularly well against Iona in their last game, however they should be able to bounce back in this one. Niagara had a string of four straight games with 68 or more points (all wins) going before that. These teams last got together on New Year’s Eve at Gallagher Center in a 67-55 victory for Niagara. Mount St. Mary’s has been scoring fairly well over their last few games so it’ll take a solid offensive effort for Niagara to cover/win. I think the Eagles can do it, though.