Eckel picks the MAAC: It's Fairfield vs Monmouth where the Hawks have a shot at first place

Fairfield at Monmouth (-9), 7 p.m.

The Hawk will never die.

Oh wait, that's another Hawk who is currently on life support.

The Monmouth Hawks (17-12, 11-7) are alive and well in the MAAC and have an outside shot of tying first-place Siena, the Saints own the tie-breaker, however.

Currently the Hawks are in third place and with a loss Wednesday night to Fairfield (11-18, 7-11) could slip to fourth place and a much tougher match-up (likely Iona or maybe Rider) in the tournament opener.

Monmouth has won three of its last four and is 7-1 against MAAC foes at home this season.

Fairfield. meanwhile, has lost three straight, four of its last five and six of its last eight. The Stags have not scored more than 60 points in 12 straight games. If you can’t score, you can’t win.

The Pick: Monmouth needs a win and a bad Fairfield team is the perfect prescription. If the Stags score in the 50s, which is what they do, Monmouth will easily cover the nine-point spread.