DUDLEY, Mass. (Interstat) — Worcester Polytechnic and Nichols will open their men’s NCAA Division III basketball schedules against each other Saturday at Chalmers Field House. Both teams enter at 0-0. The Engineers will be the visiting team, while the Bison will have home-court advantage in Dudley.

Worcester Polytechnic is coming off a 63-46 loss to Amherst in its most recent previous result. The Engineers will look to establish a more consistent offensive rhythm early in the season and use their road test as a measuring point before a busy stretch of nonconference games. Worcester Polytechnic’s upcoming schedule includes home games against Worcester State, Framingham State, Fitchburg State and Washington-Saint Louis, along with road matchups at Massachusetts-Dartmouth, Babson, Clark (Ma.), Lasell, Trinity (Tex.) and Springfield.

Nichols most recently dropped a 78-75 decision at Endicott. The Bison will begin a challenging early-season run with the home contest before turning to games against Rhode Island College, Clark (Ma.), Curry, SUNY Canton, Rivier, Johnson & Wales (R.I.), University of New England, Bridgewater State, Colby and Hartford. Nichols will try to use its home setting to control tempo and capitalize on an early opportunity at Chalmers Field House.

The matchup offers an early look at two programs still shaping their identities for the season. Worcester Polytechnic will rely on its ability to settle into half-court possessions and limit turnovers on the road. Nichols will focus on defending its home floor and generating efficient shots against an Engineers team that is also seeking its first win. Neither team has played a regular-season game yet, so both sides will be working through rotation decisions and adjusting to game speed in the opening matchup. The opening game also gives both programs an early chance to evaluate backcourt pace, defensive communication and late-game execution before their schedules expand. Both teams will aim to set a tone for the season in the first of several nonconference tests.

The Engineers and Bison will meet before each program moves deeper into its scheduled list of contests. Worcester Polytechnic’s next 10 games include a mix of home and road dates, beginning with Worcester State and Framingham State at home and continuing with trips to Massachusetts-Dartmouth, Babson, Clark (Ma.), Lasell, Trinity (Tex.) and Springfield, plus a home game against Washington-Saint Louis. Nichols’ next 10 games include Rhode Island College, Clark (Ma.), Curry, SUNY Canton, Rivier, Johnson & Wales (R.I.), University of New England, Bridgewater State, Colby and Hartford.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Nichols 79, Worcester Polytechnic 78. Interstat’s ELO system projects Worcester Polytechnic with a 54.3 percent probability to win.