Central Connecticut vs Fairleigh Dickinson Odds, Pick
| Central Connecticut Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 153.5 -110o / -110u | -140 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 153.5 -110o / -110u | +115 |
We have an early evening NEC showdown on Thursday. The day presents plenty of mid-major matchups, but one of the biggest is a battle of true NEC contenders — the Central Connecticut Blue Devils and Fairleigh Dickinson Knights — in Teaneck, New Jersey.
Central Connecticut Blue Devils
Central Connecticut wants a slower-paced game. Patrick Sellers' team prefers a half-court setting — it ranks 206th in Adjusted Tempo — compared to the rampant-paced Knights.
Big man Allan Jeanne-Rose is dominating NEC opponents and is an absolute portal gem. The Fairfield transfer is a total mismatch with his skill and size, averaging 16.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest.
Additionally, the Blue Devils don't struggle against full-court defensive pressure. That's thanks to guard Jordan Jones, a transfer from the non-D-I ranks. He's become a great second option next to Jeanne-Rose, averaging 12.6 points, 3.1 assists and only 1.5 turnovers per game.
One area that favors CCSU is rebounding. The Blue Devils are one of the NEC's better rebounding squads, ranking 133rd nationally in defensive rebounding percentage.
In contrast, FDU is an inferior rebounding team, ranking outside the top 280 nationally. If CCSU dominates on the glass, that could slow the tempo and favor the Blue Devils.
Fairleigh Dickinson Knights
Fairleigh Dickinson has been topsy-turvy so far this season. On a three-game winning streak, it enters this game at 9-11. Before the streak, it lost six consecutive games, including two in conference play against Le Moyne and St. Francis (PA).
Last year, Fairleigh Dickinson used two diminutive skilled guards — Demetre Roberts and Grant Singleton — to initiate scoring. This year's guards could be more effective, but the offense has suffered. FDU finished last season at 143rd in Offensive Efficiency and it sits at 291st right now.
Joe Munden Jr. is what he is. He's a fine scorer who'll have some decent games, but he's not the guy who can solve the offensive struggles.
That guy is freshman Terrence Brown, who's scored 15+ points in three straight games.
If the Knights' offense is to succeed against CCSU, it needs scoring from forwards Ansley Almonor (16.5 PPG), Sean Moore (12.3 PPG) and Jo'el Emanuel (11.4 PPG). All three provide size and shooting ability at the 3-5 spots.
Of course, FDU wants to force turnovers, cause havoc and run in transition. The Knights play at the 23rd-quickest tempo in the sport and force turnovers on 19% of defensive possessions (83rd nationally).
FDU is the scariest team in the NEC in a full-court game. It's a different story playing in the half court, though.
Central Connecticut vs. Fairleigh Dickinson
Betting Pick & Prediction
I can't let FDU's strong three games overrate it in my rankings. Those three wins came against two of the worst teams in the sport — Stonehill (x2) and St Francis (PA).
CCSU is also the better team at covering the spread by a wide margin (62% of the time).
Plus, CCSU's style is exactly what's needed to beat Fairleigh Dickinson. That's a problem for the Knights, even at home.
Pick: Central Connecticut State -2 (Play to -3)
