Maine vs UMass-Lowell 2/2/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The UMass Lowell River Hawks will travel to the Cross Insurance Center to take on the Maine Black Bears this Wednesday night in College Basketball action.

The UMass Lowell River Hawks lost their 2^nd straight game and dropped to 10-9 on the season after being defeated by the Albany Great Danes, 64-62 (OT), this past Wednesday night. UMass Lowell struggled on the offensive end against Albany and could not fight back in OT after the Great Danes took lead for good on a pair of FT’s by Matt Cerruti with :44 seconds left in OT. UMass Lowell shot just 37.9% from the field & 25.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Albany to shoot 43.1% from the field & 30.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the River Hawks was Allin Blunt who had 21 points, 6 rebounds, & 2 assists.

On the season, UMass Lowell is averaging 70.6 ppg on 43.6% shooting from the field. The River Hawks are averaging 5.9 three-pointers per game on 28.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UMass Lowell has been led by Kalil Thomas (10.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.9 apg), Allin Blunt (10.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.5 apg), Everette Hammond (9.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.4 spg), & Justin Faison (8.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.3 spg).

Defensively, UMass Lowell is holding their opponents to an average of 63.2 ppg on 39.4% shooting from the field. The River Hawks have a rebound margin of 0.9 and a turnover margin of 2.3.

The Maine Black Bears lost their 3^rd straight game and dropped to 4-16 on the season after being defeated by the Hartford Hawks, 78-66, this past Monday. Maine struggled on the defensive end against Hartford and could not fight back after the Hawks took a 68-59 lead with 4:28 left in regulation. Maine shot 44.8% from the field & 26.9% from beyond the arc while allowing Hartford to shoot 60.5% from the field & 47.1% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Black Bears was Maks Klanjscek who had 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, & 3 steals.

O the season, Maine is averaging 61.0 ppg on 40.8% shooting from the field. The Black Bears are averaging 6.2 three-pointers per game on 29.0% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Maine has been led by Vukasin Masic (9.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.0 apg), LeChaun DuHart (8.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 apg), Maks Klanjseck (8.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.0 spg), & Ja’Shonte Wright-Mcleish (6.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.5 apg).

Defensively, Maine is allowing their opponents to average 70.4 ppg on 46.9% shooting from the field. The Black Bears have a rebound margin of -3.5 and a turnover margin of -0.1.

The River Hawks are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 Wednesday games & 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. The Black Bears are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record, however, are just 8-9 ATS overall on the season.

UMass Lowell has been led by their defense which ranks 38^th in scoring defense & 25^th in defensive FG%, however, the River Hawks have struggled on the offensive end and rank just 196^th in scoring offense & 210^th in FG%. Maine has had issues on both ends of the court this season and come into this game ranked 339^th in scoring offense, 311^th in FG%, & 215^th in scoring defense.

UMass Lowell is one of the better team in the American East, led an impressive defense, however, this is a team that has struggled on the road in American East play, losing 3 of their last 4 road games. Maine is one of the worst teams in College Basketball, however, the Black Bears have been more competitive than we’re used to seeing from them and continue to cover against the better teams in the American East (Vermont, Hartford, New Hampshire). Maine lost by just a 9-point margin earlier this season to UMass Lowell, and as I think Maine will be able to give UMass Lowell a run for their money on their home court, I’m taking the Black Bears and the points. Good Luck!