The set-up: The 20-5 Monmouth Hawks have followed last year's strong season (Hawks finished with 28 wins) with another one here in 2016-17. They lead the MAAC at 12-2 and travel to NYC Frday night to take on the 9-16 Manhattan Jaspers, who at 4-10, sit 10th in the 11-team MAAC.

Monmouth: The Hawks had a great regular season last year but after a loss in the MAAC tourney, the at-large bid the team expected to get, never came. Reigning MAAC player-of-the-year Justin Robinson again lead this year's team, as the 5-8 PG averages 19.3 PPG and adds 4.9 APG. He's joined on the perimeter by fellow gurds Seaborn (14.9) and Hornbeak (10.5) plus up front, 6-10 center Brady (9.4 & 6.8) is the team's best frontcourt player. Monmouth scores well (80.6 PPG which ranks 37th) and is easily the league's best team.

Manhattan: The Jaspers are going nowhere and feature only two double digit scorers, guard Turner (15.40 and the 6-9 Waterman (13.7 & 6.6). Manhattan has been one of the top guns in the MAAC in recent years but thaht was then and this is now. The Jaspers have lost five of seven but come off a narrow 68-67 defeat to visiting Marist in their last outing.

The pick: No way the Hawks have much motivation for this visit to the Big Apple, as the team learned all too well last year that only a MAAC tourney win will earn them a ticket to the Big Dance. Take the points with this huge home dog and make Manhattan a 10* play.