FILE - In this Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016 file photo, Monmouth head coach King Rice reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C. Monmouth College men’s basketball is off to a surprising 0-11 start. Coach King Rice is trying to drill confidence into this team after back-to-back Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference titles. The team lost junior Micah Seaborn when he entered the NBA Draft last spring. Monmouth joins LaSalle, Coppin State and Alabama A&M as the final four winless teams of the 351 in NCAA Division I. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File) (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
NCAAB
NCAAB: Thursday Teaser returns to the MAAC, likes Hawks and Saints
Fairfield @ MONMOUTH -2 7 pm, Niagara @ SIENA -4.5 7 pm
Fairfield @ MONMOUTH -2 7 pm. We’re going to keep this short and sweet because you need at least a little time to get your wagers in. After a dismal start, Monmouth (4-14) has won four of its last six and is 3-2 in conference. All these MAAC teams are fairly close together, but we think that giving Monmouth the teaser 5 points gives them the cushion they’ll need. We’re going to pair that with Niagara @ SIENA -4.5 7 pm. Siena (6-11) is the slightly better team. Niagara had a road upset of Pitt on Dec. 3, but has now lost four of its last five and is 1-3 in conference. It concerns me that this is a must-win for the Purple Eagles, but his seems like a good week for Saints.
Pick: MONMOUTH +3 over Fairfield paired with SIENA +.5 over Niagara.