The set-up: The 4-8 Quinnipiac Bobcats visit the 4-9 Niagara Purple Aces in a MAAC contest Monday night. Quinnipiac is off a 9-21 season and Niagara was just 7-25 last year (not exactly a marquee matchup).

Quinnipiac: Two freshman guards are leading the way for the Bobcats, Dixon (14.6) and Kiss (10.3), joined up front by the 6-9 Daniels (11.8 & 5.9). Four others contribute between 6.2 and 9.1 PPG but the Bobcats' biggest problem is defense, as the team allows 80.2 PPG to rank 322nd.

Niagara:The Purple Aces lost their top scorer from last year in Blackman (15.8) but Scott has stepped up big time, averaging 16.8 & 6.8. He's joined in the
backcourt by USC transfer Dukes, who is averaging 15.8 PPG. Like Quinnipiac, Delaware has trouble on the defensive end of the court, allowing 78.7 PPG.

The pick: Niagara comes in having lost eight of its last 12 games and going back a little, is 3-6 SU and ATS in its last nine home games. Meanwhile, after an 0-4 starts, the Bobcats have split their last eight games and are looking to establish some consistency. Not much defense expected in this one and I'll take any available points, making Quinnipiac an 8* play.