The set-up: The 8-23 Marist Red Foxes are the No. 10 seed (5-15) and will meet the 17-14 Canisius Golden Griffins, who are the No. 7 seed (10-10) in MAAC tourney action in Albany.

Marist: The Red Foxes lost 10 of their last 12 games to finish the season at the bottom of the standings, getting the No. 10 seed by virtue of a coin flip over Manhattan (also 5-15). Marist is a perimeter-oriented team, led by the guard trio of Hary (18.0), Parker (12.6-5.8-3.2) and Funk (12.5). However, the team does not score much, averaging a modest 69.4 PPG (268th).

Canisuis: The Golden Griffins will be looking to bounce back from a three-game losing skid with an opening-round win. Robertson (16.5), Douse (11.1 & 4.2) and Johnson (3.9 PPG but a team-leading 4.2 APG) start in a three-guard lineup with the 6-6 Crumpton (16.2 & 4.9) and the 6-7 Valenti (13.9 & 5.2) starting up front.

The pick: Canisius averages 79.2 PPG (just about 10 points more than Marist) and after crushing the Red Foxes 91-58 at home, just recently lost on the road to Marist, 76-74. Canisuis sets the record staright, here. Canisius is an 8* play.