RIDER WEEKEND

Who: Rider (0-2) at Manhattan (0-0)

When: Friday, 6p.m.; Saturday, 6p.m.; Draddy Gymnasium, Riverdale, N.Y.

TV: ESPN3

Last Time Out: Rider lost to St. John’s, 82-79; Manhattan is playing its first game Series History: Rider leads, 32-24

KenPom Rank: Rider 274; Manhattan 288

KenPom Says: Manhattan 68, Rider 66

Scouting Rider: The Broncs produced a great effort in a three-point setback at St. John’s. If they can play like that in MAAC games, they’ll win more often than not. That first test comes this weekend in a two-game series at Manhattan. The MAAC is contesting league games in a back-to-back format at the same venue because of Covid concerns. Rider has found a lead guard in junior Dwight Murray Jr. The Incarnate Word transfer averaged 19.5points, 6.5 assists and six rebounds in the first two games. Rodney Henderson Jr., a grad transfer from Cal State Northridge, hit a career best six 3s against the Red Storm and sophomore Allen Powell connected for a career high 17points.

Scouting Manhattan: The Jaspers are yet to play, so it’s unknown just how good they might be. They were picked fifth in the league’s preseason poll. Gone are the top two scorers from last year’s team — Pauly Paulicap and

Tykei Greene — but returning are big man Warren Williams (9.7points, 3.6rebounds), wing Elijah Buchanon (7.2 points) and guard Samir Stewart (8.4points). The Jaspers have added transfers Ant Nelson from Seton Hall and Samba Diallo from UMass. Diallo, a 6-7forward, projects to be a top player in the MAAC after he averaged 6.7points and 5.9rebounds as a starter at UMass last season. Diallo had 10points and nine rebounds in a game against Rider last year.