Rider coach Kevin Baggett said he likes BracketBuster matchups/ Photo by JOHN BLAINE

LAWRENCEVILLE — When his team meets Charleston Southern Saturday afternoon in a BracketBuster, Rider coach Kevin Baggett is sure of one thing.

The Bucs are going to put it up from long range.

A lot.

Charleston Southern ranks fifth nationally is 3-pointers made per game with 9.3 and averages 25 attempts per contest.

The Bucs (16-9, 11-3) lead the Big South’s South Division by two games over Gardner-Webb and UNC Asheville and have won three straight, including a pair of games already this week.

“We’re going to really need to defend the 3-point line,” said Baggett, whose Broncs allow 5.4 makes per game from distance. “We’re going to need to get back defensively because they want to get up and down. This is going to be a good challenge for us.”

This is Rider’s eighth appearance — 3-4 record — in the BracketBuster series, which was developed by ESPN as a way for mid-major programs to get national exposure late in the season.

Over the years, the event has grown to include numerous mid-major conferences around the country.

But this, in its 11th year, is the final BracketBuster season.

“I like the BracketBuster giving us a chance to compete against some teams outside the league, especially if you have a chance to play in postseason and a win like this may catapult you into getting a bid,” Baggett said.

While Baggett likes the event, he understands why some of his colleagues don’t.

These games tend to break up the conference season and in some cases, like Charleston Southern’s, the school is travelling roughly 700 miles to play a meaningless game, which also happens to be its third in a week.

“I know it’s an inconvenience for them,” Baggett said. “Programs like ours and theirs, budgets are an issue, and now they have to spend more money into their budget to fly here and play us. It’s always an issue, but it’s something that’s been on the schedule and we look forward to it.”

The players, though, don't seem to mind.

“I’m a basketball player and I love to play so it doesn’t bother me,” said junior guard Anthony Myles. “I can see how people would look at it that way — it’s kind of breaking up your conference play. It’s kind of like a senseless game, but at the end of the day, you want it to be a win on your record instead of a loss.”

The Broncs (15-13, 10-6) last played Sunday, rallying to beat Marist, and have spent the past week healing nagging injuries.

They also get a break from the grind of the MAAC.

“It gets your mind off of the pressure of going against the teams in your conference,” said Myles, adding that his sprained ankle feels much better. “Playing somebody that’s not in your conference lets you see where you’re at.”

Rider will honor its two seniors — Jon Thompson and Dera Nd-Ezuma — prior to Saturday’s 5 p.m. tip off.

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Baggett was pleased that Zedric Sadler was recognized as the MAAC Rookie of the Week after helping the Broncs to a pair of victories over St. Peter’s and Marist.

Sadler scored a career-high 16 points against the Peacocks and had nine points — al from beyond the arc — in the second half of Rider’s comeback over the Red Foxes.

“He’s just a guy that’s mentally tough,” Baggett said. “He’s willing to take big shots and that’s why I’m glad I’ve got him for another three years. It didn’t take much encouraging him to take those shots, he just had to get used to shooting them.”

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Junior guard Nurideen Lindsey didn’t play in the second half of the victory over Marist, but Baggett feels like he can still be an asset this season.

“He’s starting to show signs of really starting to come back and play well,” said Baggett, pointing out that Lindsey had eight points in the first half against the Red Foxes before picking up his third foul.

“If we’re going to win this thing, we need everybody, including him and that’s why I keep him in the lineup and in the role he has.”

The reason behind Lindsey’s reduced minutes is simple: Sadler’s taken them.

“When you put Zedric in, and he’s playing so well, it was a little difficult to away from him,” Baggett said.

Lindsey, to his credit, hasn’t sulked.

“He’s got the unfortunate stereotype that he’s a problem,” Baggett said. “I haven’t had a problem with him from Day 1. He’s been a great team player and the guys really like him. He had every reason to pout not going back into the game in the second half, but he didn’t do it, and he’s come back to practice the last couple days, trying to get better and help this team.”

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Baggett said his vote for MAAC Player of the Year would go to Iona’s Momo Jones.

The senior guard leads the league in scoring and is third nationally, averaging 22.9 points per game.
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Who: Charleston Soutern (16-9, 11-3 Big South) at Rider (15-13, 10-6).

When: Saturday, 5 p.m., Alumni Gymnasium, 107.7 FM The Bronc.

Last time out: Rider def. Marist, 67-63; Charleston Southern def. VMI, 92-69.

All-time series: First meeting.

Projected starting lineups: Rider: G-Jon Thompson (Sr. 12.4 ppg), G-Anthony Myles (Jr. 12.7 ppg), G-Nurideen Lindsey (Jr. 8.5 ppg), F-Danny Stewart (Jr. 11.2 ppg), C-Dera Nd-Ezuma (Sr. 2.8 ppg).
Charleston Southern: G-Arlon Harper (So. 15 ppg), G-Saah Nimley (So. 16.3 ppg), G-Jeremy Sexton (Sr. 10.4 ppg), F-Mathiang Muo (SR. 11.1 ppg), C-Allie Fullah (Jr. 4.3 ppg).