Who: Rider (0-2) at Central Connecticut State (0-3).

When: Saturday, 6 p.m., Dietrick Gymnasium.

TV: NEC Front Row.

Radio: 107.7 FM The Bronc.

Last Time Out: Rider lost to Purdue, 81-77; CCSU lost to Northeastern, 83-69.

Coaches: Rider — Kevin Baggett, 2nd season (19-17); Howie Dickenman, 18th season (262-244).

Background: Kevin Baggett stopped short of calling Saturday night’s game a must win, but he definitely knows he has a team in need of a victory.

Following a 0-2 start and facing six of its first seven games away from Alumni Gymnasium, Rider aims for its first victory against when it travels to winless Central Connecticut State for a non-conference game.

“This is a desperate one for us,” Baggett said following Friday’s practice. “We’re desperate. So are they. I told our guys we need to get this win. I don’t wan to call it a must, but we need it. We need to get our season turned around. We need to get a ‘W’ and get back home and start trying to take care of home court. … We’re 0-2 and if we’re going to have a good year, we can’t go on these long losing streaks.”

It will help having Zedric Sadler back in the starting lineup.

The sophomore guard missed the season-opening loss at Lehigh, recovering form a sore left knee. He returned in the four-point defeat at Purdue, scoring 11 points in 19 minutes.

Baggett said Sadler will start in the backcourt with freshman Jimmie Taylor and senior Anthony Myles.

“(Sadler’s) getting back into the flow of it, getting back into the physicality of it,” Baggett said. “Just the emotional part of it as well.”

Sadler said he feels good and was able to shake off any rust against Purdue.

“Real early (with) my ball handling, especially coming off an injury where I hadn’t played in five, six weeks” he said. “I’m good now. I’m just focusing on getting my knee stronger and helping my team.”

Sadler’s return also takes some of the pressure off Taylor, a freshman pushed into point guard duties sooner than expected.

Taylor, though, has done enough in two games to convince Baggett to keep him in the starting lineup.

The Suwannee, Fla., native is averaging 12 points in 30 minutes per contest.

“Learning,” Baggett said when asked to assess Taylor through two games. “He still has a long way to go. He’s done some things that (show) he’s very talented, but still isn’t sure what he’s doing at this level yet. For him to do what he’s done without really understanding is pretty impressive.”

Against CCSU, the Broncs have to find a way to slow down junior guard Kyle Vinales, who is averaging 26 points per game.

Vinales didn’t play in the Blue Devils’ previous game — a loss to Northeastern — after he turned an ankle in warm ups.

Baggett expects him to go and is preparing as such.

“You have to try and limit him,” Baggett said. “You’re never going to shut a good player out. He’s certainly very talented. He was a great scorer last year and I’m assuming he’ll do the same this year. He’s one of those guys you have to contain and not let him go off and have career highs against you.”

Vinales’ career high is 42 points in a loss to Wagner last year.

At the end of the night, Rider just wants win No. 1.

“We were ready to get back out there,” Sadler said. “I think it’s a must win. We all think it’s time to get on the winning track and get off this losing streak.

Projected Starting Lineups: Rider: G-Zedric Sadler (So., 11 ppg), G-Jimmie Taylor (Fr., 12 ppg), G-Anthony Myles (Sr., 15.5 ppg), F-Danny Stewart (Sr., 20 ppg), F-Kahlil Thomas (Fr., 4 ppg).
Central Connecticut State: G-Kyle Vinales (Jr., 26 ppg), G-Matt Hunter (Sr., 7.3 ppg), G-Malcolm McMillan (Jr., 7.7 ppg), F-Faronte Drakeford (Jr., 7.3 ppg), F-Terrell Allen (Sr., 7.3 ppg).