Prairie View A&M vs. Fairleigh Dickinson Prediction, Game Preview

Prairie View A&M vs. Fairleigh Dickinson NCAA Tournament Prediction, Game Preview

By Pete Fiutak | March 17, 2019 7:39 pm CT

NCAA Tournament: Prairie View A&M vs. Fairleigh Dickinson fearless prediction and game preview.

Broadcast

Date: Tuesday, March 19
TV Network: truTV, 6:40 ET
Venue: University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, OH
Network: truTV

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All You Really Need To Know About Fairleigh Dickinson (20-13)

(Northeast), NCAA NET Rank: 203. West 16-seed

The Knights tied the Red Flash of St. Francis for the regular season NEC title, but they got them in the tournament championship to close out with an eighth straight win to get into the NCAAs for the second time in four years.

It’s a deep team that spreads out the scoring – five players average double-digit points – but there isn’t enough coming from the outside and there isn’t a whole lot of pop. The Knights win on defense with a great interior presence and a whole lot of rebounds. The size is there, but it’s an active, aggressive team.

All You Really Need To Know About Prairie View A&M (22-12)

(SWAC), NCAA NET Rank: 205. West 16-seed

The Panthers dominated the SWAC regular season, overcoming a 1-11 start to go 21-1 on the way to the conference title. Led by G Gary Blackston and F Devonte Patterson, this is a fun veteran team that jumps all over offenses with intense pressure.

Second in the nation in turnover margin, they generate steals and more steals – a must for a team that cant shoot, has no inside presence, and can’t rebound. Nothing is there from three, but the Panthers will hit every free throw, and they’ll be annoying with that D.

What’s Going To Happen

It’s a good matchup for the Knights considering they’re strong inside, and the Panthers aren’t. Fairleigh Dickinson can also hit from the outside, and Prairie View A&M can’t, but turnovers should be an issue – the Panthers will stay in the game by forcing mistakes to keep it close.

A&M really, really can’t rebound, and FDU can come up with steals, too. This should be a fun, high-scoring game with lots of swings, but, again, the Knights will do more from the outside, and clean things up when they don’t.