Wagner vs. St. Francis: NEC Showdown Heats Up on MLK Day

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Wagner Seahawks (9-8) and the St. Francis Red Flash (7-12) will face off in a Northeast Conference (NEC) matchup on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Spiro Sports Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, with Wagner entering as 2-point favorites and the over/under set at 124.5 points.

Both teams are looking to bounce back from recent losses. St. Francis fell to LIU 64-51 on Saturday, while Wagner was edged out 69-65 by Mercyhurst. The game marks a critical juncture in the NEC standings as the season progresses.

Sophomore guard Bobby Rosenberger III has been a standout for St. Francis, averaging 11.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and two assists per game. The Pennsylvania native has scored in double figures 13 times this season, including a 19-point performance against Stonehill on Jan. 5.

Wagner’s backcourt is led by guard Riley Parker, who averages 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Parker has been consistent, scoring 15 or more points in three of his last six games, including an 18-point outing against Fairleigh Dickinson on Jan. 12.

Another key player for Wagner is guard Zaire Williams, a three-level scorer averaging 12.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. The New York native has scored 15 or more points in six consecutive games, showcasing his offensive versatility.

St. Francis junior guard R.J. Greene has also been a reliable contributor, averaging 9.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. Greene has notched double-digit points in three of his last five games, including a 17-point performance in his most recent outing.

According to SportsLine‘s predictive model, which simulates every Division 1 college basketball game 10,000 times, the game is expected to exceed the over/under, with the teams combining for 129 points. The model, which has a strong track record of 195-134 (+2882) on top-rated picks since 2023, also identifies one side of the spread as the better value.

Fans and bettors alike will be watching closely to see if Wagner can maintain its slight edge or if St. Francis can pull off an upset in this NEC clash.