RIDER GAMEDAY

Who: Manhattan (11-13, 6-6) at Rider (17-7, 10-2)

When: Thursday, 7 p.m., Alumni Gymnasium

TV/ Radio: None/ 107.7 FM The Bronc

Last Time Out: Rider def. Quinnipiac, 74-59; Manhattan def. Siena, 51-47

Series History: Rider leads 2823

MAAC Standings: Rider (17-7, 10-2), Canisius (15-9, 9-2), Iona (15-9, 9-3), Niagara (15-10, 8-4), Manhattan (11-13, 6-6), Quinnipiac (9-15, 6-6), Fairfield (10-13, 5-7), Monmouth (7-16, 3-8), Saint Peter’s (9-14, 3-8), Siena (7-18, 3-9), Marist (5-19, 3-9) Seventh Heaven: The Broncs are going for their seventh straight win, which would be a high-water mark under sixth-year coach Kevin Baggett. The last time Rider won more than six in a row was a 10-game streak during the 200708season. A victory would also be a fourth consecutive one over the Jaspers and keep the Broncs in first place. They lead Canisius by 0.5 game, Iona by 1 game and Niagara by 2 games.

Cleaning the Glass: Rider leads the MAAC in rebounds per game (40.2), rebounding margin (+3.5) and offensive rebounds per game (13.3). The Broncs rank 12th nationally in total boards and 15th in offensive caroms. While rebounding margin doesn’t always indicate success (Rutgers, after all, is tied with Rider for 15th in o-boards per contest) it does show the Broncs are creating second-chance opportunities. Factor in that they average 81.1 points per game and shoot a respectable 46 percent, and those can often make the difference in a tight game. During this six-game winning streak, Rider has won games by four, three, two, three and seven points before a 15-point victory over Quinnipiac.

Scouting Manhattan: Steve Masiello’s Jaspers snapped a threegame skid when they defeated Siena last time out. Manhattan makes its bones on defense where it ranks second in the MAAC by allowing 68 points per game. That offsets an offense that can struggle to score (66.8 ppg). Rider rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second half to win the first meeting, 82-76, at Draddy. That pace favors the Broncs. If Manhattan can muck it up and keep the game in the mid-60s to low-70s, it will have a chance to win. While Rich Williams leads the team in scoring (13.6 ppg), but once again keep an eye on Zane Waterman (10.7 pts, 6.5 rpg), who had a pair of 30-point games against the Broncs last season.