The end of the weekend started out much better than it started and I feel much more confident heading into Monday's short card after the Iowa cover. Hawkeye's made just enough shots late to avoid the free throws leaving us outside the number.
Monday, I'll be heading to the MAAC for a conference matchup between Canisius and Marist. I've been waiting for a spot to play Canisius all season and I think this is it. I follow them pretty close since the ex-URI coach Jim Baron leads the Golden Griffins and his son, Billy Baron, is the sharp shooting guard that had played a UVA and URI before settling at Canisius the last two seasons.
Marist started the season 0-9 after a host of losses to decent competition. The Red Foxes didn't shy away from the tough non-conference schedule but I have a tough time supporting them after 4 straight victories against less than stellar competition. Jim Bower's squad just can't make buckets when they need to and I find little reason to believe that this will change heading into the conference slate. Marist doesn't shoot the ball well and has an uncanny tendency to turn the ball over, which is not ideal against a squad that can really shoot the rock.
Canisius does a lot of things well. They force a decent amount of turnovers, shoot the three exceptionally well behind Billy Baron, and force quite a few steals while on defense. I'm slightly concerned with a rebounding edge for Marist, but I'd like to take my chances with a short number here. Canisius is led by two elite scorers in Billy Baron and Jordan Heath and if they can shoot the three with any efficiency on Monday, they should be able to get a nice road win. The Red Foxes will take MANY shots from deep against the porous Marist three point defense, I'm just banking on them shooting up to par. I like what I saw against Notre Dame in a true road game and I think Jim Baron's squad gets a win and cover.
Canisius -2