Wagner vs Bryant Prediction: Can Wagner Pull Off An Upset to Win the NEC Championship?

Wagner vs Bryant Prediction: Can Wagner Pull Off An Upset to Win the NEC Championship?

The Wagner Seahawks and the Bryant Bulldogs will face each other for the third time. However, this third time is for all the marbles.

Tonight, it's the NEC Championship. One team will win the NEC Championship and head to the NCAA Tournament. The other team will either play in a smaller tournament or concede the rest of the season and forgo any other playoff opportunities.

It doesn't get any better than this! We're getting March basketball between the two best teams in the NEC conference.

Here are our picks and predictions for the NEC Championship matchup between the Wagner Seahawks and the Bryant Bulldogs.

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Wagner vs Bryant Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2022
• Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
• Where to Watch: ESPN2

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Wagner vs Bryant State Injury Report

Wagner

No Injuries to Report

Bryant

No Injuries to Report

Wagner vs Bryant Line Movement

Wagner vs Bryant Prediction

Bryant has undoubtedly put together one of its best teams in recent memory. But I'm not so sure that Bryant has what it takes to win tonight's game.

Bryant's offense averages nearly 80 points per game, but the offense still isn't very efficient. Bryant is shooting an effective field goal percentage of 49.6 percent. The Bulldogs also shoot just 30.5 percent from three on the season and continue to fire away from downtown despite the poor percentage.

Inside the arc, Bryant is shooting 52.6 percent from the field and has been above-average from the foul line, hitting 73.4 percent. The biggest concern is just the lack of focus and care on the basketball court. The Bulldogs have seen their shot gets blocked 12.8 percent of the time and have seen their ball get stolen 10 percent of the time. Because of this, Bryant gives up 18.8 percent turnovers per game. 

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On the other hand, Wagner's defense has been much more alive. The Seahawks have held opponents to a 47.9 percent effective field goal percentage. Plus, teams are only hitting 29.5 percent from three and 50.3 percent from inside the arc. If Bryant is going to chuck up threes, Wagner should be able to defend at a high rate and also should be able to box out and win the rebounding battle on the defensive end. The Seahawks are currently holding teams to 26.8 percent offensive rebounds, which is a very solid number.

Wagner is an aggressive team and will foul at a high rate. The Seahawks are completely different in comparison to Bryant on the defensive end. So, therefore, yes, Bryant should get to the line at an above-average rate, however, Wagner gets to the line at a reasonable rate too. It's just that Bryant isn't as foul-happy as Wagner because of the lack of effort on the defensive end.

On the offensive glass, teams are earning 31.5 percent offensive rebounds. That's way too high of a number. Plus, Bryant only earns 16.3 percent turnovers.

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Against Bryant, opponents have only hit 32.7 percent from three and 47.2 percent from inside the arc. Wagner, meanwhile, is shooting just 29.2 percent from three but 53.5 percent from inside the arc. But don't worry about the three-point ball much. The Seahawks are not a three-point shooting team and know this. They'd rather shoot inside the arc and by doing this, score at a very high percentage.

Therefore, I like Wagner to at least cover the spread tonight. The Seahawks should earn more offensive rebounds and gain a ton of second chances. I'm also expecting the Seahawks to limit turnovers and win the turnover battle throughout the game. If Wagner executes properly, Wagner is going to walk away with the NEC title.

Wagner Seahawks vs Bryant Bulldogs Pick

• PICK: Wagner +4.5 (-110) (Bet $110 to Win $100)