Basketball Preview: Merrimack remains in MAAC play against Sacred Heart, Manhattan

Merrimack will play Sacred Heart and Manhattan this weekend and looks to remain unbeaten in the MAAC.

The Warriors will face Sacred Heart on Friday morning (11 a.m.) and host Manhattan on Sunday afternoon (2 p.m.) at Hammel Court.

Merrimack vs. Sacred Heart

When: Friday, 11 a.m. ET
Venue: Pitt Center
Where: Fairfield, Conn.
Watch: ESPN+

Merrimack vs. Manhattan

When: Sunday, 2 p.m. T
Venue: Hammel Court
Where: North Andover, Mass.
Watch: ESPN+

Inside the Numbers

Game Notes

— The Warriors are 10-6 all-time against Sacred Heart. The Pioneers won the last meeting (last season), 89-85, when both programs were members of the NEC.

The series dates back to 1992, when both programs were Division II.

— Merrimack has never faced Manhattan. The Jaspers are hosting Quinnipiac on Friday before traveling to Merrimack on Sunday.

— Sunday’s home game will be at Hammel Court, not Lawler Arena.

Matchup Breakdown

— Both opponents this weekend are similar in that they have good offenses (Sacred Heart is one of the top offenses in the MAAC) but lackluster defenses, ranked No. 8 and No. 9 in the MAAC in defensive efficiency.

We’ll see if Devon Savage can stay hot from 3-point land. He was 7 for 8 against Fairfield last week, and Sacred Heart and Manhattan are slightly below average in the MAAC against 3-point shooting. Nationally, Sacred Heart is No. 305 in 3-point defense.

— Sacred Heart plays fast. The Pioneers have the shortest average possession time in the MAAC. Meanwhile, the Warriors take their time and have the third-longest average possession time in the MAAC.

Again, the similarities between Sacred Heart and Manhattan: The Jaspers have the third shortest average possession time in the league.

— Here is where some of the Warriors rank nationally in player rankings.

Budd Clark is No. 4 in possession percentage, No. 15 in minutes percentage, No. 27 in shots percentage, No. 11 in assist rate, and No. 99 in free-throw shooting.

The only Warriors in the Top 100 of any category is Bryan Etumnu, who is No. 56 in the nation in block percentage.

As for opponents, Manhattan’s Masiah Gilyard is No. 85 in offensive rebounding. Freshman Fraser Roxburgh is No. 88 in 3-point shooting off the bench.

Sacred Heart’s Mekhi Conner is No. 79 in assist rate. Bryce Johnson is No. 71 in free-throw shooting.