Rider needs sense of urgency at MAAC tourney
ATLANTIC CITY » It might just be now or never or Rider at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament.
The third-seeded Broncs begin their quest to snap an NCAA Tournament drought that has lasted since 1994 on Thursday night when they face sixth-seeded Niagara in a quarterfinal game at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.
Rider (18-12) has exited at the quarterfinal stage in each of the last eight seasons, but on paper this is its most favorable matchup yet.
The Purple Eagles (12-20) defeated Marist, 56-54, in a first-round game on Tuesday, but the Broncs blew them out in the most recent matchup in Lawrenceville. The teams actually split the regular season with Niagara winning on a buzzer beater on its home floor.
The Purple Eagles are 3-17 away from home.
Still, Broncs coach Kevin Baggett, given his MAAC tourney history, won’t allow his group to take anyone lightly.
“Our seniors are understanding it’s the last goround for them,” Baggett said. “They want to finish this thing out on the right note. Hopefully, having something to prove on going out on a winning note.”
Nobody was happier than Baggett to see the tournament moved to a neutral venue in Atlantic City, but any fans wanting to attend are likely to be discouraged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the NCAA announced on Wednesday that
March Madness will take place in empty arena, MAAC commissioner Rich Ensor said early in the day that this tournament will continue as planned, while taking precautions.
Locker rooms are closed postgame to the media and players and coaches have been instructed not to shake hands after games.
Still, it appears the games will go on.
“You got to go down there and play with a sense of urgency and understand it’s a single-game elimination,” Baggett said. “Our guys have to be ready to go the minute it’s tapped.”