NJIT vs UMass-Lowell 2/16/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds
UMass-Lowell River Hawks (13-11) vs. NJIT Highlanders (10-13)
February 16, 2022 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: NJIT Highlanders +3 / UMass-Lowell River Hawks -3; Over/Under: 130.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The UMass Lowell River Hawks will travel to the NJIT Wellness and Events Center to take on the NJIT Highlanders this Wednesday night in College Basketball action.
The UMass Lowell River Hawks improved to 13-11 on the season after defeating the UMBC Retrievers, 88-71, this past Saturday. UMass Lowell was outstanding on the offensive end in the 2nd half against UMBC and was able to pull away for the victory after taking a 70-59 lead with 7:47 left in regulation. UMass Lowell shot 64.4% from the field & 52.9% from beyond the arc while allowing UMBC to shoot 52.2% from the field & 60.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the River Hawks was Ayinde Hikim who had 20 points, 1 rebound, 6 assists, & 1 steal.
On the season, UMass Lowell is averaging 72.0 ppg on 45.3% shooting from the field. The River Hawks are averaging 6.4 three-pointers per game on 31.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UMass Lowell has been led by Allin Blunt (10.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.7 apg), Max Brooks (10.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.4 bpg), Everette Hammond (9.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.3 spg), & Kalil Thomas (9.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.8 apg).
Defensively, UMass Lowell is holding their opponents to an average of 65.0 ppg on 40.9% shooting from the field. The River Hawks have a rebound margin of 2.5 and a turnover margin of 1.6.
The NJIT Highlanders had their 2-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 10-13 on the season after being defeated by the Hartford Hawks, 65-49, this past Saturday. NJIT struggled on the offensive end against Hartford and could not fight back after the Hawks took a 59-34 lead with 10:36 left in regulation. NJIT shot 35.4% from the field & 28.6% from beyond the arc while allowing Hartford to shoot 42.9% from the field & 36.7% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Highlanders was Mekhi Gray who had 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, & 2 steals.
On the season, NJIT is averaging 63.6 ppg on 41.0% shooting from the field. The Highlanders are averaging 6.5 three-pointers per game on 32.0% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, NJIT has been led by Miles Coleman (15.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.3 spg), Dylan O’Hearn (12.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.6 apg), James Lee (7.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.9 spg), & Antwuan Butler (7.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.3 spg).
Defensively, NJIT is allowing their opponents to average 67.8 ppg on 41.7% shooting from beyond the arc. The Highlanders have a rebound margin of -2.3 and a turnover margin of -0.5.
The River Hawks are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall & 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win. The Highlanders are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 home games, however, are 12-10 ATS overall on the season.
UMass Lowell has won 3 of their last 5 games and has been solid on both ends of the court this season as the River Hawks come into this game ranked t-159th in scoring offense, t-68th in scoring defense, & 62nd in defensive FG%. NJIT has lost 8 of their last 10 games and have really struggled on the offensive end as the Highlanders come into this game ranked just 325th in scoring offense & 311th in FG%. NJIT has a losing record at home and as I was impressed with what I saw from UMass Lowell on the offensive end against UMBC, I think the play here is to take UMass Lowell to cover this small spread. Good Luck!
