It's a competitive loop in the Metro-Atlantic with lots of tight margins, but Marist has been one of the exceptions with its innate ability to pull out close wins. John Dunne's patient style runs counter to most of the other loop entries as the Red Foxes play defense and value possessions. They have one of the Metro-Atlantic's top scorers in soph G Josh Pascarelli, hitting at 16.6 ppg, but really erupting the last two, scoring 53 points across the wins against Canisius and Niagara. Sacred Heart is one of the more-potent MAAC entries but has lost three of four, and hasn't been consistently holding serve at home, as the Pioneers have dropped 4 of their last 6 in Fairfield. Play Marist

A pattern this season more then most is dominant conference teams have been winning as slight road underdogs. Tonight I’ll side step that notion with Sacred Heart hosting Marist. Marist sits atop the MAAC conference with a 13-3 record, but much like Michigan out of the Big Ten they win by close margins. Look for the Pioneers to take advantage and end the four game winning streak of Marist.

The Red Foxes are tied with Quinnipiac for first in the MAAC. The Pioneers have lost three of their last four and very struggled on defense at home as their opponents are averaging 72.9 points. Marist is 5-2 ATS on the road while shooting 52.3% effectively from the floor. They’re the better free throw shooting team and have the edge on the defensive side, holding teams to less than 46% inside the arc.