Even when Canisius was awful, the Griffs could count on Frank Turner.

Previewing the matchup between the Broncs and the Golden Griffs, who tip off tonight in Buffalo:

SCOUTING RIDER: In MAAC games, the Broncs rank sixth or lower in the league in every major statistical category. They’re eight in scoring margin – ahead of only Loyola and Marist – despite having played Marist twice. They’re also eighth in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, offensive rebounding and field goal percentage; ninth in 3-point defense and defensive rebounding; and 10^th in free-throw percentage. A loss would be their third straight, with another challenge ahead Sunday at Niagara. … Ryan Thompson (team-best 14.8 points) continues to be a factor but not a dominant force. He’s shooting 31 percent from 3 and is 1-for-10 from beyond the arc in his last two games – both double-digit losses. … Justin Robinson (12.7 points, 42 percent 3-point shooting) has been excellent in some games but quiet in others. He had 19 points last Friday against Saint Peter’s, for instance, but only six Monday at Iona. … Novar Gadson (11.3 points, 7.8 rebounds) is gaining strength after spraining his ankle Jan. 9 against Iona. … Mike Ringgold (10.9, 7.5) is averaging more rebounds but fewer points than a year ago. … Tommy Dempsey is still looking for a consistent option at the other frontcourt spot. Neither Jermaine Jackson (1.2 points) nor Brandon Penn (4.3) has been as reliable as the Broncs would like.

SCOUTING CANISIUS: The Golden Griffs, vastly improved but still inconsistent, have been the epitome of average in the MAAC. Not only are they 4-4 and tied for fifth in the 10-team league, but they’re also at exactly zero in point differential, having scored and given up 535 points. … Canisius is 2-2 in MAAC home games, having beaten Loyola and Iona but lost to Manhattan and Fairfield. A win would give the Griffs a two-game lead on Rider in the standings, while a loss would put them even, an important factor because the teams could potentially fighting to avoid the play-in round in the MAAC tournament. … Player of the Year candidate Frank Turner is second in the MAAC in scoring (16.9 points) and fourth in assists (5.1). … Julius Coles (15.3 points) is seventh in the league in scoring. … Greg Loggins (9.9 points, 5.5 rebounds) provides a big body at 6-foot-7, 240 pounds and a surprisingly smooth stroke from 3-point range, where he’s shooting 37 percent. … Robert Goldsberry, the center of attention for injuring Sien’s Alex Franklin with a hard foul on Jan. 11, is averaging 2.5 points and 3.7 assists. … Elton Frazier (8.1 points) is averaging 14 points in his last four games. He’s scored in double figures in four of his last five games, including a 25-point outburst Jan. 9 at Marist. … Tomas Vazquez-Simmons (6.2 points, 6.5 rebounds) leads the team in rebounding.