The Northeast Conference Tournament championship brings an intriguing subplot as Mercyhurst travels to Brooklyn to face Long Island University on Tuesday night. LIU enters the game with a strong 23-10 record and a dominant 15-3 conference mark, while Mercyhurst arrives at 17-16 after an impressive run through the bracket. The Sharks have already locked up this NCAA Tournament automatic bid, but I’ll make my Mercyhurst vs Long Island University prediction for the NEC title game nonetheless.
Our Mercyhurst vs Long Island University Pick
Pick:
Confidence: 3 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Mercyhurst Lakers @ Long Island University Sharks
- Date & Time: Tuesday, March 10, 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: Steinberg Wellness Center, Brooklyn, New York
- Broadcast: ESPN2
Key Storylines
Mercyhurst enters the NEC championship riding strong form. The Lakers have won four of their last five games, including a 56-51 victory against Stonehill in the semifinals. Their success has largely come from slowing the pace and forcing opponents into half court offense. Unfortunately, because Mercyhurst is transitioning into Division I, they are ineligible to play in the NCAA Tournament. Therefore, they are just playing for pride here.
LIU has been one of the most consistent teams in the conference all season. The Sharks finished with 23 wins and have already booked their place in the NCAA Tournament. Their offense has been efficient, shooting close to 48% from the field, and they often generate second chances with strong rebounding numbers. The question for the Sharks will be whether they can play to their full potential knowing they’re in the tournament no matter what happens here.
Another factor is familiarity. These teams met less than three weeks ago in a high-scoring contest where Mercyhurst prevailed 91-83. LIU will be eager to correct the defensive issues that allowed the Lakers to erupt for their highest scoring output of the season.
Key Players
Long Island University Key Players
- Jamal Fuller – Fuller leads the Sharks with 16.5 points per game while shooting more than 52% from the floor. The forward also contributes around 5 rebounds per contest and gives LIU an efficient interior scoring option.
- Malachi Davis – Davis runs the offense and averages 3.5 assists per game along with double-digit scoring. His ability to create off the dribble helps LIU break down defensive sets.
- Gerald Gordon – Gordon is one of the team’s key rebounders at roughly 5.7 boards per game. His presence on the glass has helped the Sharks maintain one of the strongest rebounding margins in the conference.
Mercyhurst Key Players
- Bernie Blunt III – Blunt is the centerpiece of the Lakers offense, averaging 17.5 points per game while shooting more than 41% from the field and over 86% from the free throw line. He frequently carries the scoring load in close games.
- Quentin Martin – Martin leads the team on the boards with 6.7 rebounds per game and gives Mercyhurst a reliable interior presence on both ends.
- Jake Lemelman – Lemelman contributes around 3 assists per game and helps initiate the offense. His playmaking ability allows the Lakers to keep the ball moving in their deliberate attack.
Stat Comparison
| Stat | Mercyhurst | LIU |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 69.3 | 73.9 |
| Points allowed per game | 67.0 | 71.2 |
| Team Field Goal % | 45% | 48% |
| Rebounds per game | 32.7 | 35.0 |
| Assists per game | 14.6 | 13.6 |
Head-to-Head and Betting Trends
- Mercyhurst defeated LIU 91-83 on February 21.
- LIU has a 16-17 record against the spread this season.
- Mercyhurst is 21-10 against the spread going into this contest.
Mercyhurst vs Long Island University Model Projection
Score Projection:
Win Probability:
Final Thoughts
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