King Rice might have Monmouth on the right course with help from son Xander, who opted to move to West Long Branch after a decorated career at Bucknell and to spend his last college season with Pops. So far so good, with the young Rice checking in at 18.8 ppg, and the Hawks a surprises in the CAA. Monmouth also proving it can win with the slow pace of the 51-43 weekend win over Towson. Meanwhile, Bill Coen continues to oversee a downgrade at Northeastern, which has tailed off in the portal era, but the Huskies have been overscheduled. The pace of recent NE games suggests neither of these teams is likely to reach 70 tonight. Play NE-Monmouth "Under"

Monmouth has come a long way since last season when they only won seven games. They’ve been underrated all season and have already won eight games. The covering aspect tells the entire story. They’re 10-3-1 ATS and have won their last five games at home. Monmouth has a pair of guards – Xander Rice and Jack Collins – doing the bulk of the scoring and the team is shooting 37.2% from 3-range. They held Towson to 16-of-60 (27%) shooting in their last game. Monmouth to cover.

Monmouth is one of the country's better 3-point shooting teams (37.2 percent, 39th nationally) but made just 1 of 15 from deep last time out. The Hawks still won, 51-43, over visiting Towson thanks to a fierce defensive effort. It was Monmouth's fifth straight home win. Northeastern was picked to finish four spots higher in the CAA preseason media poll, but the Huskies are 2-6 on the road and likely will be without 6-6 senior Luka Sakota (10.3 ppg, 2.2 apg). In their first game without him, the Huskies lost 62-53 at home to Stony Brook. KenPom has Monmouth slightly better and I like the Hawks to cover at home.

CAA action Monday on CBS Sports Network -- not sure if you are aware that the league is now called the Coastal Athletic Association instead of Colonial. Monmouth has won five in a row at home and held a good Towson side to just 43 points last time out. Northeastern guard and second-leading scorer Luka Sakota (10.3 ppg) is week-to-week with an injury and didn't play in the team's CAA opener on Thursday, a home loss to Stony Brook.