Preview: Northeastern at Monmouth
Monmouth Hawks Look to Upset Northeastern Huskies at Home
In a battle of two mid-major powerhouses, the Monmouth Hawks are set to host the Northeastern Huskies in a matchup that promises to be a thrilling ride from start to finish. With the home court advantage factor firmly on their side, the Hawks will look to prove themselves as one of the top teams in the country.
A Tale of Two Teams
Monmouth has been flying under the radar this season, but their recent 3-2 stretch has hinted at a team capable of making some noise. Led by the dominant Jason Rivera-Torres, who averages a league-leading 16.1 points per game, the Hawks have shown the ability to take down top opponents like Hofstra and William & Mary.
Meanwhile, Northeastern has struggled to find its footing this season, falling to Towson, UNC Wilmington, Campbell, NC A&T, and Elon in their last five games. Despite the struggles, Huskies fans will be optimistic about their team's potential, particularly with the emergence of LA Pratt, who averages 17.0 points per game.
Key Matchups
The key to this matchup lies in the defensive matchups between the two teams' top players. For Monmouth, Jason Rivera-Torres and Jack Collins will need to contain Northeastern's potent offense, which features multiple scoring threats. Meanwhile, for Northeastern, LA Pratt and Xander Alarie will look to exploit any weaknesses in Monmouth's defense.
Home Court Advantage
The Hawks are expected to be heavily favored at home, where they have won 12 of their last 15 games. The energy of the crowd will undoubtedly give Monmouth an edge, allowing them to dictate the tempo and pace of the game.
Recent Form
Monmouth has shown signs of consistency in recent games, while Northeastern's struggles have been well-documented. However, the Huskies' ability to bounce back from adversity could be a factor in this matchup.
Anticipation is Building...
As the two teams prepare to face off, one thing is clear: this game will be an instant classic. The Hawks' home court advantage and recent form have given them a significant edge, but Northeastern's potent offense and ability to bounce back from adversity make them a force to be reckoned with.
Will Monmouth be able to capitalize on their home court advantage and take down the Huskies? Or will Northeastern prove that they are more than just a mid-major also-ran? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: this game promises to be an exciting and unpredictable ride from start to finish.