UMBC vs Hartford 3/9/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The 4-seed Hartford Hawks will square off at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena to take on the 2-seed UMBC Retrievers this Wednesday night in the Semifinals of the America East Playoffs.

The 4-seed Hartford Hawks improved to 12-19 o the season after defeating the 5-seed Albany Great Danes, 61-49, this past Sunday. Hartford was lights out on the defensive end against Albany and easily pulled away for the victory after taking a 42-25 lead with 8:58 left in regulation. Hartford shot 38.1% from the field & 30.4% from beyond the arc while holding Albany to just 25.8% from the field & 21.1% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Hawks was Traci Carter who had 21 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, & 2 blocks.

On the season, Hartford is averaging 70.1 ppg on 45.2% shooting from the field. The Hawks are averaging 9.4 three-pointers per game on 37.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Hartford has been led by Austin Williams (16.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.3 spg), Moses Flowers (14.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.5 spg), David Shriver (10.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg), & Traci Carter (9.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.7 spg).

Defensively, Hartford is allowing their opponents to average 71.9 ppg on 44.5% shooting from the field. The Hawks have a rebound margin of -2.3 and a turnover margin of -1.2.

The 2-seed UMBC Retrievers improved to 17-13 on the season after defeating the 7-seed UMass Lowell River Hawks, 93-85 (OT), this past Sunday. UMBC allowed UMass Lowell to fight back from a 75-62 deficit to force OT, however, the Retrievers were outstanding in the extra period and held on for the victory after taking an 89-80 lead with just 1:07 left in OT. UMBC shot 49.2% from the field & 40.9% from beyond the arc while allowing UMass Lowell to shoot 47.8% from the field & 30.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Retrievers was Darnell Rogers who had 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, & 5 steals.

On the season, UMBC is averaging 74.5 ppg on 44.6% shooting from the field. The Retrievers are averaging 9.3 three-pointers per game on 37.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UMBC has been led by Keondre Kennedy (15.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.1 apg), Darnell Rogers (11.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.0 spg), L.J. Owens (11.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.5 apg), & Jacob Boonyasith (6.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.5 apg).

Defensively, UMBC is allowing their opponents to average 72.2 ppg on 45.6% shooting from the field. The Retrievers have a rebound margin of -3.3 and a turnover margin of 0.8.

The Hawks are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 Wednesday games & 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall. The Retrieves are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall & 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games.

UMBC defeated Hartford in both of their regular season matchups this season as the Retrievers defeated the Hawks by a 68-64 margin at home in early February while also winning by a 92-85 margin on the road in late February.

UMBC has been solid on the offensive end this season, ranking 89^th in scoring offense, and have a 10-4 record at home, however, the Retrievers have struggled defensively this season as they come into this matchup ranked just 252^nd in scoring defense & 297^th in defensive FG%. Hartford, despite ranking just 204^th in scoring offense, has shot the ball well this year, ranking 110^th in FG% & 26^th in 3P-FG%, and as the Hawks showed that they can beat the best that the American East has to offer as they were able to defeat Vermont, I think the Hawks keep this one competitive and cover with the points. Good Luck!