The Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks (9-14, 3-7 AmEast) look to put an end to the 13-game winning streak of Vermont when they travel to Roy L Patrick Gymnasium to take on the Catamounts (20-5, 10-0 AmEast). Action gets underway at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 11, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN 3.
Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks vs. Vermont Catamounts Odds Preview
In the River Hawks last contest, they were beaten by the Stony Brook Seawolves, 81-68. With 28 points on 11-for-22 shooting, Jahad Thomas was the games leading scorer. Stony Brook forced the River Hawks into a turnover percentage of 22.0 (above their season average of 17.1). Massachusetts-Lowell, on the other hand, did a fantastic job of getting to and converting from the free throw line (20-27; 74.1 percent).
The Catamounts hope to keep it rolling after defeating the Albany Great Danes in their last game, 72-67. Vermont rallied around Drew Urquhart, who recorded 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists. The Catamounts knocked down 20 of their 20 free throws (100.0 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.500 vs. 0.484).
The productive offense of Vermont (17th in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 116.7) will battle against the porous defense of Massachusetts-Lowell (304th in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 109.4). The Catamounts should have the advantage on that end of the court. Additionally, the River Hawks are among the nations best at getting to the line, ranking 47th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.281). The Catamounts, meanwhile, rank 28th in opponents FTA rate (0.183).
Trae Bell-Haynes has really been playing well over the last five games for Vermont, averaging 19.0 points and 1.2 steals per game.
These teams have already met once this season. The Catamounts won 88-77. The Catamounts played a nearly perfect game. They had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 39.1 and a ridiculous free throw rate of 0.353. The River Hawks were 20.0 and 0.211, respectively, for those same stats. Thomas had a standout performance with 30 points.
Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks at Vermont Catamounts Free Prediction
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Massachusetts-Lowell, ATS Winner – Massachusetts-Lowell, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Catamounts average 13.8 assists per game, which ranks 145th in the nation. The River Hawks rank 177th in assists allowed per game (14.2).
- Vermont ranks second in rebounds allowed per game (28.6) while Massachusetts-Lowell ranks 195th (36.0).
- The River Hawks rank 73rd in steals per game (7.0) while the Catamounts rank 246th (3.7).
- Massachusetts-Lowell ranks 39th in three pointers allowed per game (19.4) while Vermont ranks 104th (20.9).
Betting Trends:
- The Catamounts average margin of victory in their last five games has been 16.2, up from 9.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the River Hawks have scored an average of 77.4 points per game (2.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 74.4 points per game (3.4 below their season average).
