Hartford vs UMass-Lowell 3/3/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The UMass Lowell River Hawks will travel to Chase Arena to take on the Hartford Hawks this Thursday night in College Basketball action.

The UMass Lowell River Hawks lost their 2^nd straight game and dropped to 14-15 on the season after being defeated by the New Hampshire Wildcats, 64-48, this past Tuesday. UMass Lowell struggled on both ends of the court in the 1^st half against New Hampshire and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 43-24 margin. UMass Lowell shot 37.5% from the field & 21.4% from beyond the arc while allowing New Hampshire to shoot 41.4% from the field & 44.4% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the River Hawks was Ayinde Hikim who had 22 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, & 2 steals.

On the season, UMass Lowell is averaging 69.8 ppg on 44.1% shooting from the field. The River Hawks are averaging 6.0 three-pointers per game on 30.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UMass Lowell has been led by Allin Blunt (10.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.6 apg), Ayinde Hikim (10.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.3 spg), Max Brooks (10.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.4 bpg), & Kalil Thomas (9.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.8 apg).

Defensively, UMass Lowell is holding their opponents to an average of 64.6 ppg on 40.8% shooting from the field. The River Hawks have a rebound margin of 0.6 and a turnover margin of 1.8.

The Hartford Hawks won their 2^nd straight game and improved to 11-18 on the season after defeating the Albany Great Danes, 67-565, this past Tuesday. Hartford was solid on the offensive end against Albany and was able to pull away in the 2^nd half after taking a 56-48 lead with 4:05 left in regulation. Hartford shot 42.9% from the field & 54.2% from beyond the arc while allowing Albany to shoot 42.9% from the field & 40.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Hawks was David Shriver who had 25 points & 5 rebounds.

On the season, Hartford is averaging 70.3 ppg on 45.7% shooting from the field. The Hawks are averaging 9.5 three-pointers per game on 37.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Hartford has been led by Austin Williams (16.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.3 spg), Moses Flowers (14.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.6 spg), Hunter Marks (11.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.3 bpg), & David Shriver (10.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg). Hartford will be without Hunter Marks who is out for the rest of the season due to an undisclosed injury.

Defensively, Hartford is allowing their opponents to average 72.3 ppg on 44.9% shooting from the field. The Hawks have a rebound margin of -1.8 and a turnover margin of -1.2.

The River Hawks are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games following a double-digit loss at home, however, are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Thursday games. The Hawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record & 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.

UMass Lowell has been solid on the defensive end this season, ranking 47^th in scoring defense & 45^th in defensive FG%, however, this is still a team that has lost 4 of their last 5 games and can struggle to score the basketball as they currently rank just 209^th in scoring offense. Hartford suffered a tough break after losing Hunter Marks for the season, however, the Hawks have been playing well without him, winning 6 of their last 8 games, including an OT win at home vs. Vermont. Hartford lost by a 85-75 margin to UMass Lowell on the road earlier this season, however, as I think Hartford is playing some of their best basketball of the season as of late, I think Hartford revenges that loss and does enough on their home court to cover this small spread. Good Luck!