UMBC vs Columbia 12/1/21 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds
Columbia Lions (2-5) vs. UMBC Retrievers (4-2)
December 1, 2021 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: UMBC Retrievers -12.5 / Columbia Lions +12.5 ; Over/Under: 144
(Get latest betting odds)
The Columbia Lions will travel to the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena to take on the UMBC Retrievers this Wednesday night in College Basketball action.
The Columbia Lions lost their 3rd straight game and dropped to 2-5 on the season after being defeated by the Lafayette Leopards, 73-50, this past Monday. Columbia had no answers on the offensive end against Lafayette and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 42-22 margin. Columbia shot just 28.3% from the field & 19.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Lafayette to shoot 38.6% from the field & 32.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Lions was Patrick Harding who had 7 points, 12 rebounds, & 1 assist.
On the season, Columbia is averaging 69.7 ppg on 42.9% shooting from the field. The Lions are averaging 7.9 three-pointers per game on 36.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Columbia has been led by Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa (15.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.3 spg), Liam Murphy (12.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.1 apg), Ike Nweke (11.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 apg), & Josh Odunowo (8.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.0 spg, 1.4 bpg).
Defensively, Columbia is allowing their opponents to average 74.7 ppg on 43.5% shooting from the field. The Lions have a rebound margin of -0.4 and a turnover margin of -1.1.
The UMBC Retrievers won their 2nd straight game and improved to 4-2 on the season after defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers, 87-77, this past Saturday. UMBC was outstanding on the offensive end against Pittsburgh and had no trouble securing the victory after going into halftime with a 55-44 lead. UMBC shot 48.1% from the field & 45.2% from beyond the arc while allowing Pittsburgh to shoot 46.3% from the field & 42.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Retrievers was Keondre Kennedy who had 19 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, & 3 steals.
On the season, UMBC is averaging 79.3 ppg on 45.5% shooting from the field. The Retrievers are averaging 9.7 three-pointers per game on 35.2% from beyond the arc. Offensively, UMBC has been led by Keondre Kennedy (15.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.3 spg), Darnell Rogers (12.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.2 spg), L.J. Owens (9.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.0 apg), & Jacob Boonyasith (6.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.8 apg).
Defensively, UMBC is allowing their opponents to an average of 70.8 ppg on 45.0% shooting from the field. The Retrievers have a rebound margin of -0.5 and a turnover margin of 2.2.
The Lions are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a double-digit loss at home, however, are just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. The Retrievers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Columbia hasn’t had much success on either end of the court this season as the Lions come into this game ranked just 226th in scoring offense & t-286th in scoring defense. UMBC has been a bit inconsistent on the defensive end to start their season, however, the offense has looked great in their recent victories against American & Pittsburgh and currently rank 62nd in scoring offense & 49th in three-pointers made per game. Columbia is coming off an ugly loss and as I just don’t see Columbia being able to keep up with the Retrievers offense on the road, I’m taking UMBC to cover this large home spread. Good Luck!
