RIDER GAMEDAY

Who: Rider (3-6, 0-0) at Iona (7-2, 1-0)

When: Friday, 7p.m., Hynes Athletic Center, New Rochelle, N.Y.

TV: ESPN3

Last Time Out: Rider lost to Ole Miss, 75-51; Iona def. Marist, 78-71

Series History: Iona leads, 42-26. The Gales have won six in a row and 16 of the last 19over the Broncs and can match the longest winning streak in the series with a victory on Friday. KenPom Rank: Iona 118; Rider 270 KenPom Says: Iona 76, Rider 63 Scouting Rider: While the Broncs’ offensive woes have been well documented, they have been able to stay in games with improved defense from a season ago. They’ve limited opponents to 40.5% shooting and have a +2.6turnover margin. If Rider can get shots to fall, and there’s no reason to believe it won’t be able to at least create open looks against MAAC competition, it can string some wins together. Look for the Broncs to attack Iona with drives to the basket, which is something Marist had success with. Scouting Iona: Rick Pitino’s Gaels used a 20-4run to rally past Marist after trailing by nine in the second half. Iona shot 10-for-35from beyond the arc against a Red Foxes zone, but made enough clutch shots late to pull out a victory. The zone took star center Nelly Junior Joseph out of the game (he scored five points in 16minutes), so it shouldn’t come as a surprise if Rider tries a similar tactic. Pitino indicated the Gaels are likely to be without starting point guard Elijah Joiner on Friday. Junior Joseph (13.9points, 7.8 rebounds) was a handful for the Broncs last season and they don’t really have anyone who can match up with his strength inside. Tyson Jolly is the leading scorer at 14.6points and Quinn Slazinski, who had 20against Marist, checks in at 11.1points.