By: Ryan Chichester
The Quinnipiac men’s basketball team has had a week to recover from last Saturday’s devastating double-overtime loss to Fairfield, where it blew a 16-point lead in the second half and a chance to solidify its chances of a first round bye in next week’s MAAC tournament.
After Manhattan’s surprising victory over third place Niagara, the Manhattan Jaspers currently own the coveted fifth spot in the MAAC standings, with Fairfield and Quinnipiac just one game off the pace. In short, these next two games for the Bobcats are crucial, with the Saint Peter’s Peacocks on deck and a rematch with the Jaspers on Sunday.
Here is what you need to know ahead of Friday night’s matchup with Saint Peter’s in the final home game of the regular season:
Stingy Peacocks
Saint Peter’s is currently suffering through a three-game skid, but its defense remains atop the MAAC in points allowed per game (68.3). The Peacocks defense has allowed under 60 points in each of the past two games, but their sputtering offense (ranked last in the MAAC) has failed to capitalize.
That wasn’t the case when the Bobcats traveled to Jersey City in early January and allowed the Peacocks to shoot 61.5-percent from the field in a blowout loss. The 84-point performance from the Peacocks was the most they have scored on a MAAC opponent all season. Of course, this was before Baker Dunleavy began preaching defensive improvements in practice and changed the course of the Bobcats’ season. Assuming the Peacocks don’t have another unexpected shooting surge, this time away from their home floor, we should be in for a much more competitive game.
Still, breaking the defense of the Peacocks will be a tough assignment. It proved to be back in January, when the Bobcats shot just 29-percent from the floor and 26.5-percent from beyond the arc. Another shooting frenzy from Rich Kelly would cure the team’s struggles from the floor, but two straight 40-point performances is unfair to ask of a freshman point guard, so the offensive attack will have to have more balance.
Jacob Rigoni was held scoreless last Saturday for the first time since late November, when he played just three minutes against UMASS. He will have to be back to form and give the Bobcats a deep threat, while having Daniels down low to clean things up. If the Bobcats can find that perimeter and interior balance, they should secure a huge win.
Nothing comes free
In spite of their offensive struggles, Saint Peter’s has to be admired for their execution of fundamentals. They possess the top defense in the MAAC, are second in turnover margin and own the best team free throw percentage in the conference. Given their ability to take care of the ball and execute at the foul line, the Bobcats will have to be careful when applying pressure, and not bail out an offense that ranks last in the MAAC in field goal percentage.
Cam Young got into foul trouble in the second half against Fairfield, right before the Stags began to mount their comeback. He and the rest of the Bobcats will have to be more careful on Friday night. A defensive-minded team like St. Peter’s would love nothing more than to get to their points at the free throw line and slow the game down so they can set their defense up on the other end. The Bobcats will have to keep the ball moving, convert in transition and be disciplined on defense to avoid foul trouble.
