New Hampshire takes on Stonehill after Robinson’s 21-point game
Fresh off an overtime thriller, New Hampshire turns its attention to Stonehill after Kijan Robinson powered the Wildcats with 21 points in an 88-82 victory over Boston University. Momentum is on UNH’s side, but the Skyhawks arrive looking to flip their road form and spark their season.
Why this matchup intrigues
New Hampshire has been comfortable at home so far, while Stonehill is still hunting for its first road win. The clash of styles on the perimeter and the turnover battle should shape the outcome, with both teams’ three-point profiles offering a clear swing factor.
By the numbers
- Home edge: New Hampshire is 3-1 on its own floor.
- Close calls: The Wildcats are 0-1 in games decided by fewer than four points.
- Road woes: Stonehill is 0-6 away from home.
- Turnovers: The Skyhawks average 13.7 giveaways per game, but they’re 1-0 when they win the turnover battle.
- Arc watch (UNH offense vs. STONE defense): UNH averages 7.5 made threes per game; Stonehill allows 7.4.
- Arc watch (STONE offense vs. UNH defense): Stonehill averages 8.5 made threes; UNH allows just 7.0.
Wildcats to keep an eye on
- Kijan Robinson: Coming off a 21-point performance and clutch moments in overtime, he gives UNH a go-to scoring option late.
- Davide Poser: A floor-spacer at 32.7% from deep with 1.7 made threes per game, contributing six points on average.
- Belal El Shakery: Efficient and steady, shooting 37.8% from the field and averaging 12.3 points.
Skyhawks to watch
- Raymond Espinal-Guzman: A two-way anchor averaging 10.5 points and 7.7 rebounds, key to Stonehill’s interior presence.
- Hermann Koffi: A volume threat from outside, averaging 3.5 made threes over the last 10 games.
Key questions
- Can UNH control the perimeter? Stonehill’s 8.5 threes per game challenge a Wildcats defense that typically holds teams to seven makes from deep.
- Will Stonehill take care of the ball? The Skyhawks’ record is spotless when they win the turnover battle, and that could be their path on the road.
- Who wins late? New Hampshire has stumbled in ultra-tight finishes, but Robinson’s recent form suggests a closer who can steady the offense in crunch time.
What it might come down to
If New Hampshire’s shooters match their season average from beyond the arc while maintaining defensive discipline on the perimeter, the Wildcats can lean on their home edge. For Stonehill, limiting turnovers and generating rhythm threes for Koffi and company will be essential to snap the road skid. Inside, Espinal-Guzman’s rebounding could create second chances—vital against a UNH group that thrives when it sets its defense.
Expect a game shaped by tempo control and three-point variance. If the Skyhawks heat up from deep, this could turn into a track meet; if UNH dictates pace and values each possession, the Wildcats are positioned to build on the spark from Robinson’s overtime heroics.
