Manhattan Jaspers (4-13) vs. Niagara Purple Eagles (10-9)
January 28, 2024 2:00 pm EDT
The Line: Niagara Purple Eagles -8.5; Over/Under: +148.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Manhattan Jaspers and the Niagara Purple Eagles meet in college basketball MAAC-tion from the Gallagher Center on Sunday afternoon. Who emerges victorious in Sunday’s matchup? Let’s dive in and find out with our Manhattan vs. Niagara Prediction.
Manhattan Team Preview
The Manhattan Jaspers come into this one looking to snap a ten-game losing streak after an 82-70 loss to Canisius last time out. Shaquil Bender leads the Jaspers in scoring with 13.4 PPG along with 3.4 RPG while Daniel Rouzan has 11.9 PPG with 4.3 RPG. Seydou Traore has 11.7 PPG with a team-high 9.1 RPG to lead the Jaspers on the glass, rounding out the trio of double-digit scorers for Manhattan so far this season. Brett Rumpel has 9.8 PPG with 5 RPG in 5 games so far this year while Jaden Winston has 7.5 PPG with a team-high 4.3 APG to lead the Jaspers in assists this season. As a team, Manhattan is averaging 65.6 PPG on 40.3% shooting from the field, 30.5% from three and 71.2% from the foul line this season. Manhattan will take on Quinnipiac after this game.
Niagara Team Preview
The Niagara Purple Eagles come into this one looking to build on a three-game win streak after a 67-62 win over Marist in their last matchup. Ahmad Henderson II leads the Purple Eagles in scoring with 14.2 PPG while Braxton Bayless has 11.1 PPG with 2.5 APG. Luke Bumbalough and Yaw Obeng-Mensah each have 10.4 PPG to round out the group of double-digit scorers for Niagara so far this year, with Bumbalough adding a team-high 3.2 APG while Obeng-Mensah has 4.9 RPG. Harlan Obioha has 9.2 PPG with a team-high 7.7 RPG to lead the Purple Eagles on the glass as well on the year. As a team, Niagara is averaging 75.9 PPG on 48.1% shooting from the field, 40.1% from three and 76.6% from the foul line this season.
Manhattan vs. Niagara Prediction
I’m on Niagara here. The Jaspers have been a dumpster fire for the better part of the season and conference play more specifically as a result, and I’m not sure I trust them to change that here against a Niagara team that’s clearly superior and has much better shooting percentages all over the floor. Niagara’s defense can be a concern, but it’s not like Manhattan’s defense is that much better. Give me the Purple Eagles laying the points.
