UMBC Retrievers (9-18) vs. Maine Black Bears (11-15)
February 22, 2024 6:00 pm EDT
The Line: Maine Black Bears -3.5; Over/Under: 152.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The UMBC Retrievers will play the Maine Black Bears in an America East game on Thursday night at The Pit in Orono, Maine. UMBC has won two games in a row, while Maine is on a three game losing streak. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the UMBC vs Maine prediction.
UMBC Preview
The UMBC Retrievers are 9-18 (4-8) this year after they defeated Albany by a score of 80-75 in their last game. UMBC led 39-36 at halftime and they scored 41 second half points in the win. The Retrievers shot 50.9% from the field and were -4 in rebounding margin in the game. UMBC defeated Binghamton by a score of 89-78 in the game prior to Albany, but lost to Vermont and UMass-Lowell before that. The Retrievers are scoring 79.1 points per game with 36.4 rebounds per game and 12.7 assists per game, while allowing 82.5 points against per game this year. Dion Brown is averaging 18.9 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, and 2.3 assists per game. UMBC is shooting 46.9% from the field, 68.8% on free throws, and 36.9% on three pointers this season.
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Maine Preview
The Maine Black Bears are 11-15 (3-8) this season after they lost to Vermont by a score of 68-57 in their last game. Maine trailed 36-29 at the half and they only scored 28 points in the second half in the loss. The Black Bears shot 36.8% from the field and were 52.4% on free throws in the game. Maine lost to Bryant by a score of 77-72 and New Hampshire by a score of 60-57 in the two games prior to Vermont. The Black Bears are scoring 67.6 points per game with 32.6 rebounds per game and 12.6 assists per game, while giving up 67.3 points against per game this season. Peter Filipovity is averaging 13.3 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, and 1.2 steals per game. Maine is shooting 44.4% from the field, 71.4% on free throws, and 30% on three pointers this year.
UMBC vs Maine Betting Prediction
Maine comes into this game on a three game losing streak and they have only scored 57 points in two of their last three games. The Black Bears are 3-8 in conference play, but they are the better defensive team in this matchup. UMBC is 4-8 in the conference and they have won two games in a row, but they are allowing 82.5 points against per game this year. UMBC did win the first meeting between these teams by a score of 70-65, but I am going to take the better defensive team to bounce back with a win here. Take the Black Bears.
