Merrimack @ Providence preview

Providence's Alpha Diallo clearly is not your typical guard. The 6-7 senior is one of the top rebounding guards in the country and likely will be a force on the boards once again when the Friars host Merrimack on Tuesday.

Diallo is averaging 16.0 points and 11.8 rebounds and has pulled down nine boards or more in every game. He has three double-doubles so far and also averages 2.3 assists, 2.0 steals 1.8 blocks. He had 15 points in a 68-47 win over St. Peter's the last time out while David Duke had 17 points and six assists in that one. Merrimack won two of its three games at the River Hawk Invitational, playing some stellar defense along the way, and likely will key its defensive gameplan around slowing Diallo - both in scoring and on the boards.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN

ABOUT MERRIMACK (3-2): The Warriors have allowed 61, 55, 58 and 44 points over their last four games and have recorded at least 10 steals in three straight contests. They held Jacksonville to 3-of-17 shooting from 3-point range their last time out en route to a 55-44 win, while the offense made a season-high 10 shots from long range. Jordan Minor scored a career-high 15 points while Jaleel Lord had 13 points and Mikey Watkins contributed four steals.

ABOUT PROVIDENCE (3-1): The Friars have two double-digit scorers in Diallo and Duke, who average a combined 31.8 points and 16.8 rebounds. Providence isn't a great 3-point shooting team (31.9 percent), but Duke is 7-of-12 from long range and third-leading scorer Emmitt Holt (8.8 points) has made half of his six attempts. The Friars have 63 offensive rebounds through four games, one-third of which have come from the ultra-athletic Diallo.

TIP-INS

1. Juvaris Hayes leads Merrimack in scoring (10.6), rebounding (6.8), assists (5.4) and steals (3.0).

2. Diallo's foul-shooting percentage has declined in all four of his seasons at Providence. He is currently 6-of-11 from the foul line (54.5 percent) this season.

3. All seven of Providence's top scorers have made multiple 3-pointers on the young season.

PREDICTION: Providence 73, Merrimack 59