NCAAB: Eckel eyes The Hall at Nova and is all over Marist at Rider

Seton Hall +8 at Villanova, 2:30 p.m.
Pick: Villanova -8

This Big East battle features two teams going in different directions.

The defending national champion Wildcats (15-4) after a shaky start to the season — blowout loss to Michigan, loss to Furman — have won seven straight and their last loss was a two-point decision at then-No. 1 Kansas.

Seton Hall (12-7) after an impressive start to the season that included wins over Kentucky, Maryland and Xavier, have dropped three straight.

Opposing teams have figured out two ways to beat the Pirates, either contain leading scorer Myles Powell (22.2 points per game), or let Powell get his and stop an average supporting cast.

’Nova will come at the Hall with a balanced attack led by senior guard Phil Booth (18.4). While the line seems a little inflated, it’s that way for a reason.

Marist +10 at Rider, 2 p.m.
The Pick: Over 145

Rider, which has won its last 15 games at Alumni Gym, aka The Broncs’ Zoo, is going to win. But covering a 10-point spread won’t be easy for the Broncs (10-8), who are just 6-12 against the number this season.

What should be easy for Kevin Baggett’s team is scoring points. The Broncs come in with a 77-points per game average and that includes some tough non-conference games early in the season. Marist (7-12) allowed over 70 points per game and much of that has come against teams with less offensive talent than Rider has.

Another good sign for this one is that the over has covered in six of the last seven Red Foxes’ contests.