Marist vs. Rider Odds, Analysis, Free Pick

Marist (4-6 SU 3-5 ATS) vs. Rider (4-5 SU 4-4 ATS)
When: Thursday, December 22nd: 7:00 ET
Where: Alumni Gymnasium (Rider) Lawrenceville, NJ
TV: ESPN
Point Spread: MARIST +7.5/ RIDER -7.5
Total: 129.0
Money Line: Marist Red Foxes +275/ Rider Broncs -358

Line Movement

The oddsmaker is not showing the Marist Red Foxes much respect hanging a +7.5 on Marist when they visit Metro Atlantic Athletic rival the Rider Broncs. The visitor has grabbed the money in three straight in this series, but the Red Foxes will need to get their defense back on track to stay within the spread and keep the total under the 129.5 O/U line.

Opening Lines: Marist Opened At +8.5, Currently +7.5/ Rider Opened At -8.5, Currently
-7.5

Last Game Info

Going into their last game, Marist was the betting favorite at -4 but fell to Manhattan by a
score of 80-69. The combined 149 points finished above the 130.5 total line.

Going into their last game, Rider was the betting favorite at -2 but fell to Delaware by a
score of 60-59. The combined 119 points did not surpass the 142.5 total line.

Current Form

Marist
Over their last five games, Marist has a straight-up record of 3-2 while going 3-1-1 vs. the
spread. Over this stretch, the Red Foxes’ offense is averaging 62.6 points per game while hitting
39.9% of their shots from the field. On the defensive end of the floor, they have allowed
opponents to shoot 39.1% from the field while allowing 61.2 points per contest.

Rider
In their previous five contests, Rider is 3-2 straight-up and 3-2 vs. the spread. In these five
games, they have a scoring average of 67.8 points per game on a shooting percentage of 41.8%.
Defensively, they allow teams to hit 42.0% of their shots while giving up 66.0 points per
game.

Average Power Rating Of Opponents Played

This season, the combined power rating of Marist’s opponents comes in at 67.7. On the other
side, Rider’s combined opponent power rating sits at 67.4.
.

How Does Marist Fare On The Road?

For the season, the Red Foxes have played four road games and have a record of 2-2. In these
contests, Marist is 1-2 vs. the spread. Offensively, they have averaged 58.8 points per game on a
shooting percentage of 37.0%. On defense, the Red Foxes are allowing 62.2 points per contest when
playing away from home. So far, opposing teams have a field goal percentage of 38.7% in these
games.

How Does Rider Fare At Home?

In their four games at home, Rider has a 1-2 record vs. the spread while going 2-2 straight-up. On
offense, the Broncs are shooting 49.6% on their home floor, leading to 79.8 points per game.
Defensively, opponents are shooting 32.6% in these contests. The Rider defense is allowing 65.5
points per game at home.

Offense vs Defense

For the season, Marist is averaging 68.8 points per game (277th) while posting an overall
field goal percentage of 43.9%. In today’s game, they will be matched up against a Rider defense
that has allowed an average of 68.2 points per contest. This year, opponents have hit 37.9% of
their shots vs. Rider. On the other side, the Rider Broncs are coming into the game averaging 67.8
points per game on a shooting percentage of 41.4%. The Broncs will be facing a defensive unit
allowing an average of 64.9 points per contest. So far, teams have hit 40.8% of their shots vs.
the Red Foxes.

Three-Point Shooting

From beyond the arc, Marist has a shooting percentage of 34.4% while ranking 368th in attempts
per game. The Red Foxes will be facing a Rider defense that has a 3-point field goal shooting
percentage allowed of 32.6%. Rider enters the game having hit 32.2% of their looks from deep
while averaging 5.58 made 3’s per game. On the other end, Marist has allowed opponents to hit
37.7% of their shots from beyond the arc.

Injuries Of Note

Marist

• No Reported Injuries

Rider

• Kami Young (Out) Knee

Pick Against The Spread

I think this all comes down to the three-point shooting. Marist has been atrocious in back-to-back games, allowing 50% to Boston U and 53.8 percent to Manhattan. If they can’t get that fixed pronto, Over bettors will be cashing in. Take the OVER 129.5