The ninth-seeded Rider Broncs (12-18) and No. 8 seed Manhattan Jaspers (15-14) clash Tuesday in the opening round of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament. The contest at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., is slated to tip off at 5 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Rider vs. Manhattan odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rider went 8-12 across 20 MAAC contests this winter. The Broncs have been capable on defense but have struggled offensively through more than a few stretches. Of late, RU has played in numerous close games. One of those was an overtime loss against this Manhattan squad Feb. 20. Manhattan and Rider split their two regular-season meetings, each winning at home.
The Jaspers play a lot of high-turnover, up-and-down games. They’ve struggled in shooting the ball lately (35.5% last four games) and enter the MAAC bracket having lost three of their last four. Manhattan is led by senior G Jose Perez, who is the league’s top scorer at 18.8 points per game.
See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
Rider vs. Manhattan odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rider -112 (bet $112 to win $100) | Manhattan -108 (bet $108 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rider -1.5 (+100) | Manhattan +1.5 (-125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Rider vs. Manhattan odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Manhattan 72, Rider 67
Money line
Look for the Jaspers’ shooting to come around, and their defense has been quietly improved over recent games. this senior-laden Manhattan squad also sports an uncanny ability to get to the charity stripe. In their Feb. 20 win over Rider, the Jaspers outscored the Broncs 19-8 at the line. In its last 10 games, Manhattan has managed 22-plus throws seven times.
TAKE THE JASPERS (-108).
Against the spread
PASS. Peg the Manhattan ML play as having the best leverage as a side.
Over/Under
The Over hit in both regular-season meetings and is 4-0 across the last four meetings between these MAAC foes.
Neither hits many 3s, but other score-in-bunches areas do have some tilt toward a higher score. BACK THE OVER 137.5 (-112).
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