Sacred Heart vs Merrimack Pick – Basketball Predictions & Odds 2/18/23

The Merrimack Warriors and the Sacred Heart Pioneers meet Saturday in college basketball action from William H. Pitt Center. Merrimack is coming off a Thursday matchup versus Hartford. In that game the Warriors took an eight-point win. As for Sacred Heart, they played Fairleigh Dickinson in their Thursday game. The Pioneers ended up winning by eight points there. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Merrimack Warriors 

Merrimack had a rough start to the year, going just 5-15 in their first 20 games. The Warriors hit a nice 6-1 run over their next seven outings though, beating St. Francis BK, Central CT State, LIU, ST Francis PA (twice) and Stonehill. 

On Thursday versus Hartford, Merrimack carved out a 39-24 halftime lead. The Warriors were outscored 35-28 from there in an eventual 67-59 win. Jordan Minor doubled on 25 points and 12 rebounds and Ziggy Reid added 24 points. 

Sacred Heart Pioneers 

Over on the Sacred Heart side, they hit a .500 run to start the year, going 10-10 through their first 20 outings. The Pioneers won three of their next seven games, taking losses to Wagner, LIU, Stonehill and St. Francis PA otherwise. 

Matched up against Fairleigh Dickinson on Thursday, the Pioneers were up 43-29 at halftime but ended up needing overtime to decide the game. After a 15-7 extra period the Pioneers won it 94-86. Demetre Roberts was tops on 27 points and six rebounds. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stick with Sacred Heart here. You could make a case either way, though. The Pioneers are 3-1 in their last four games and they’ve scored well lately with 70 or more points in five of their last six. These teams last saw each other on January 5 in a competitive 59-55 Sacred Heart win at Hammel Court. If the Pioneers play to their capabilities and get off to a good start, I think they’ll take a cover in the home rematch. Should be a good one.