The set-up: The 4-5 Drexel Dragons of the Colonial Athletic association will travel to play the 6-3 Rider Broncs, who represent Metro Atlantic Athletic conference in this non-conference college basketball game on Friday.

Drexel: The Dragons' 29-win season of 2011-12 seems light years away these days, after Drexel went just 6-25 last season, including 3-15 in CAA play. That said, with four wins, the Dragons are almost at last year's win total. The Dragons were actually a .500 team before losing 72-71 to St Joe's in their last outing, a game Drexel led by four at the half in. The 6-7 Rodney Williams (16.7 & 6.4) led Drexel with 29 points and 10 rebounds in their loss. He's joined by a trio of guards averaging in double digits, Lee (16.0-3.3-4.7), Mojica (10.4 & 6.3) and freshman Jonsson (10.2).

Rider: The Broncs are also off a poor season (13-20 last year) but I like this team's starting-five. Taylor (14.6 & 4.4) and Jordan (8.4) are the guards, along with a trio of 6-7 players up front. That group is led by Thomas (13.3 & 10.1) , along with Lundy (12.4 & 3.9) and Carey (10.1 & 7.9).

The pick: Rider is the better defensive team, owns rebounding advantage and just better overall balance than Drexel. Being at home doesn't hurt, either Rider is an 8* play.