Starting right-handed pitcher [autotag]Dylan Heine[/autotag] has decided he’s not done with college baseball. In an announcement on social media, Heine, who entered the transfer portal only a week earlier because of a coaching change at Arkansas State, said he’s taking his talents to Notre Dame:
I am proud to announce my commitment to the University of Notre Dame to continue my academic and baseball career! Thank you to my family, friends and coaches who have supported me along the way. Go Irish! ☘️ @NDBaseballpic.twitter.com/4NAClw1yG6
Heine, who pitched one season with the Red Wolves after three seasons at Rider, is coming off a year in which he went 2-2 with a 4.65 ERA in 62 innings over 14 starts. He struck out 30 batters while walking 26.
That showing would have been acceptable with the 2024 Irish, who had a team ERA of 5.89. Their two main starters, [autotag]Jack Radel[/autotag] and [autotag]Matt Bedford[/autotag], had respective ERAs of 4.58 and 4.65. They combined to go 7-9.
During his collegiate career, Heine has accumulated an 8-9 record to go with a 4.77 ERA. However, he’s coming off a season in which he led the Sun Belt and tied for sixth nationally with 21 hit batters, nearly tripling the number he had at Rider. [autotag]Shawn Stiffler[/autotag] and his staff will have their work cut out for them in that area.
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The Jaspers might not be consistent, but they have a way of rising up and rocking offensively from time to time.
That includes an overtime win over Rider in early February.
They don’t shoot threes and the defense is what sad looks like – for the most part. It’s been a disaster throughout the season at stopping the three, but it’s been outstanding over the last several games, holding teams to under 28% from the outside.
The key will be getting to the free throw line. The team might not shoot well overall, but no one in the MAAC gets more production on the stripe, but …
Manhattan is bad at shooting, and it doesn’t come up with the rebounds to make up for it.
That’s where the Broncs come in.
Rider it good on the offensive boards and great overall on the glass. It beat Manhattan the first time around when it was +6 in rebounding margin, and lost the second time when it was -5.
That second game was a blip – the Jaspers aren’t that good on the glass.
Rider generates a ton of steals, it should come up with a slew of points on the move, and …
Wisconsin hosts in Rider at the Kohl Center on Tuesday evening. Badger fans should be sure to know these three opposing players.
Wisconsin (7-5) will be seeking its third victory in a row when it hosts MAAC member Rider (7-3) at the Kohl Center for the first time in program history on Tuesday evening in the Badgers’ final tuneup game before they dive into Big Ten play.
Wisconsin has won three of its last four contests, most recently picking up a much-needed victory at Tennessee over the weekend. After crushing the Volunteers by 20 points, Badger fans are hoping that this team has finally put its woeful fortunes on the road behind them.
The Broncs have been playing some great ball themselves as of late, winning five of their last six games. However, they are coming off of a 78-66 loss at Temple on Dec. 21, and were destroyed by Arizona State, 92-55, in their only other matchup with a high major program this season.
The Badgers should be able to easily handle Rider at home and keep their momentum going into conference play. However, it’s worth noting that the Broncs do have four players averaging at least 12 points per game, and could give Wisconsin some trouble in terms of individual matchups.
Here are the three players on the other side who Badger fans should keep a close eye on throughout Saturday afternoon’s contest.
Currently averaging a double-double, Marshall is Rider’s leading scorer and rebounder despite playing just 26.6 minutes per game (No. 5 on the team).
The 6-9 senior is No. 7 in the MAAC at 15.7 points per game, and his rebounding average is No. 16 in the nation. Marshall doesn’t do much damage outside of the paint but he certainly makes the most of his opportunities down there, converting a conference-best 60.8 percent of his shot attempts overall. He should give Nate Reuvers and Micah Potter a useful challenge as they prepare for the big bodies they will bang with in the post on a near-nightly basis throughout Big Ten play.
Marshall has scored in double figures in all but two of Rider’s games, but he is coming off of one of his least productive outings of the season in the loss to Temple (4 points).
Nov 28, 2018; Morgantown, WV, USA; Rider Broncs guard Stevie Jordan (23) dribbles the ball up the floor during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Marshall is probably Rider’s best player, but Jordan isn’t far behind.
The 6-0 senior point guard is the engine that makes the Broncs go, leading the team and ranking second in the MAAC in assists while also averaging 14.3 points per game. Jordan hasn’t had the most efficient season shooting the basketball, but he’s averaged no less than 11.7 points throughout his career and is still capable of taking over game over as a scorer on any given night.
Jordan is one of MAAC’s top defenders as well, averaging the second-most steals in the conference. He will likely be tasked with slowing down a red-hot D’Mitrik Trice throughout tomorrow’s contest.
Things have worked out quite well for Scott and the Broncs since he opted to transfer to Rider after beginning his career at DePaul.
A Third Team All-MAAC selection last year, the 6-8 junior has averaged at least 12 points and five rebounds per game in each of the last three seasons. Scott currently ranks second on the team in both scoring and rebounding and is sitting at No. 9 and No. 5 in the MAAC in each category, respectively.
Scott also possesses some finesse in his game to complement his physicality on the boards, as he’s been consistently dangerous from long range throughout his career.
