Unpredictable Broncs head to McCann

After the Rider Broncs lost by 14 points to the Loyola Greyhounds, it looked like the 2008 MAAC runner-up might not have the same magic as last year's team. Granted, losing an NBA lottery pick to the Sacramento Kings doesn't help.
That all changed on Saturday, however, when Rider hosted MAAC powerhouse Siena. After Siena outlasted Rider in the teams' first meeting at the Times Union Center in a 91-81 barnburner, Rider responded with its best effort of the season. Both teams exchanged double-digit leads and when the game was on the line, NBA prospect Ryan Thompson delivered. The 6-foot-7 younger brother of the NBA's Jason Thompson went straight at Edwin Ubiles in an isolation situation and drained a lay-up in the waning seconds of the contest.
Rider's 90-88 win over previously undefeated Siena reestablishes the Broncs as a darkhorse contender in the MAAC. As Chuck Martin always says, "It's all about the four days in March." Marist learned that the hard way after winning the regular season championship in 2007, only to be upset by Siena in the tournament's semifinals.
When Marist and Rider meet up for a Monday night tilt in McCann, it's hard to say which Broncs team will show up. Rider is not a great road team, as evidenced by its 5-6 record away from Lawrenceville. Rider also lost to last-place Canisius by 18 on Jan. 15. Coincidentally, that was the same night Marist fell apart in the late minutes to lose against Siena. Maybe both teams had a fluke night...
Regardless, Marist is in desperate need of a good performance after losing seven straight conference games. The Red Foxes have gotten to the top of the mountain numerous times this year, only to fail getting over the top as time expired. Ryan Schneider missed a chance to send Marist home with a win on Saturday at the end of regulation, but instead, Iona went on to narrowly win, 66-65, in New Rochelle.
Marist goes when Schneider goes, however. The senior captain shot only 6-of-20 from the field, although he did tally 21 points. When Schneider's been on, the Foxes have won in impressive fashion, as shown against Bucknell and Niagara. he's struggled a bit during this losing streak and the results have shown. Marist does not have another consistent scoring option to go along with Schneider. When David Devezin's heathy, that changes, but the junior point guard has battled plantar fasciitis and illness at different times this season. Kaylen Gregory, Dejuan Goodwin, and Lawrence Williams have all had their moments, but none have consistently aided Schneider. Marist will need a go-to option on Monday night because Schneider will have his hands full with Ryan Thompson.

Expect the starting lineups to look as follows for Rider:

G Justin Robinson
G Harris Mansell
F Ryan Thompson
F Mike Ringgold
F Jermaine Jackson

First off the bench:
G Novar Gadson

Rider: 13-9 overall; 8-4 MAAC
Marist: 7-18 overall; 3-10 MAAC