The Warriors enter the weekend atop the MAAC standings and will play just once, hosting Sacred Heart on Sunday afternoon at Lawler Arena.
The Pioneers are 5-6 in MAAC play and 9-13 overall, but they are coming with momentum. After opening conference play with a 1-6 mark, Sacred Heart has reeled off five straight wins dating back to a Jan. 14 victory over Siena. The Pioneers play at Quinnipiac on Friday night before making the short trip to Merrimack on Sunday.
The Warriors, meanwhile, are coming off Saturday’s win over Saint Peter’s and have a 9-2 record in the conference this weekend, with a 13-9 overall mark as they look to continue to distinguish themselves at the top of the league.
When: Sunday, 1 p.m
Where: Lawler Arena (North Andover, Massachusetts)
TV/stream: Watch (ESPN+)
— The Warriors have leaned heavily on them Kevair Kennedy, Ernest SheltonAnd Tye Dorsetand the minutes reflect it. That trio enters the weekend ranked 33rd, 14th and 23rd nationally in minutes share, respectively. Shelton in particular has been on the floor for more than 90 percent of Merrimack’s total minutes this season.
— The Pioneers are pushed forward by their size. 6-foot-1 senior Anquan Hill has been very efficient in his time on the floor while being a 6-foot-1 freshman Abdou Yadd also made an important contribution when it is healthy. However, Yadd has missed the last three games.
Hill is averaging 16.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, while Yadd is scoring 7.5 points per game in 16.9 minutes of action.
— Sacred Heart has been one of the MAAC’s most effective offensive teams, ranking in the top three in several categories, including efficiency and field goal percentage, while also leading the league in three-point shooting.
Ironically, the Pioneers have struggled defensively beyond the arc and rank 10th in the MAAC in three-point defense. They also rank last in two-point defense.
#Preview #Firstranked #Merrimack #host #redhot #Sacred #Heart #Lawler #Arena #Sunday #afternoon