The Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks (6-10, 0-3 AmEast), who are currently on a five-game losing streak, will attempt to get back in the win column when they welcome the New Hampshire Wildcats (6-11, 2-1 AmEast) to Tsongas Center. Action begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on Monday, January 15, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN 3.
New Hampshire Wildcats vs. Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks Free Preview
The Wildcats beat the Binghamton Bearcats in their last game, 71-67. Tanner Leissner led New Hampshire in scoring with 20 points on 3-for-12 shooting. The Wildcats held the Bearcats to an offensive rebounding percentage of 8.3 (below their season average of 27.3) and had a free throw rate of 0.400 (above their season average of 0.230).
In the River Hawks last game, they were defeated by the UMBC Retrievers, 89-62. Jahad Thomas led Massachusetts-Lowell in scoring with 15 points on 4-for-14 shooting. UMBC was lights out from beyond the arc (16-25; 64.0 percent). Massachusetts-Lowell, on the other hand, had a much better free throw rate (0.241 vs. 0.123).
It could be a tough game for Massachusetts-Lowell on the offensive glass. The River Hawks rank 219th in offensive rebounding percentage (28.2 percent), while New Hampshire ranks third in defensive rebounding percentage (78.9 percent).
This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams, after the Wildcats won both games last season. In the last contest, New Hampshire won 78-67. The Wildcats played a nearly flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.207 and an absurdly low turnover percentage of 7.1. The River Hawks put up marks of 0.065 and 9.6, respectively, for those same stats.
New Hampshire Wildcats vs. Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Massachusetts-Lowell, ATS Winner – Massachusetts-Lowell, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Wildcats rank 35th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while the River Hawks rank 74th (3.3).
- Massachusetts-Lowell averages 7.1 steals per game, which ranks 71st in the NCAA. New Hampshire ranks 107th in steals allowed per game (6.4).
- New Hampshire ranks 16th in rebounds per game (40.8) while Massachusetts-Lowell ranks 245th (32.2).
- The Wildcats rank 10th in assists allowed per game (9.9) while the River Hawks rank 183rd (14.7).
- New Hampshire ranks 44th in three pointers attempted per game (25.6) while Massachusetts-Lowell ranks 159th (21.3).
Betting Trends:
- The River Hawks average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 16.2, up from 3.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 70.6 points per game (0.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.6 points per game (2.3 above their season average).
