Coming off back-to-back conference championship duels, the Neumann University Knights and the Marymount University Saints will face off in their last regular season bout of the 2023-2024 Men's basketball season.
Looking at this matchup, it appears to be mostly one-sided. The head-to-head record for the Knights against the Saints is 3-10, which dates to 2003.
However, history is not always a guide, and this rivalry has been fueled by recent battles on the biggest stage in conference play.
The last two conference championships, both hosted by the Saints, were split one and one, creating long-lasting memories for some and unforgiving grudges for others.
This upcoming game is set for Tuesday, February 13, at 8:00 p.m., and it will be a challenge for the Knights. They have already lost to the Saints this season, 69-59.
Setting aside the past results, the Saints offensively average 73.08 points per game against the Knights, whereas the Knights average 67.54 PPG. This may look like a large margin, but a 6-point swing is very common in basketball, so this game might be quite the battle.
This game will be a duel, especially with Neumann having players like Jalen Vaughns.
Vaughns is a very dangerous player and a core member of the Knights’ Atlantic East Conference championship team in 2021-2022. He was named the AEC Player of the Year for the last two seasons and has compiled a stat line of 22.1 PPG and 9.8 rebounds per game in his last three seasons with the Knights.
“They always play us giving their best because of the rivalry,” said Vaughns.
Vaughns believes the Knights have an edge over the Saints in certain ways.
“Our ability to rebound and get to the basket and finish inside,” he said.
The Knights also have motivation. If they win out in conference play, they will secure the #1 seed in the AEC and could possibly host a home championship game, which they weren't able to secure the past two years.
Vaughns predicts victory with a score of “78-71.”
This upcoming AEC game is likely to be the biggest game of the season for both teams. With so much on the line in terms of seeding and momentum going into the playoffs, this will be a battle to the end and could possibly be another game on the road to a three-peat Neumann University versus Marymount University championship game.