The Hartford Hawks (15-11, 8-4 AmEast) will try to snap the 15-game winning streak of Vermont when they head to Roy L Patrick Gymnasium to challenge the Catamounts (22-5, 12-0 AmEast). Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 18, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN 3.
Hartford Hawks vs. Vermont Catamounts Free Preview
In the Hawks last outing, they defeated the Maine Black Bears, 67-63. Jason Dunne was Hartford’s leading scorer with 19 points on 7-for-15 shooting. The Hawks knocked down 18 of their 25 free throws (72.0 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 14.5 (better than their season average of 16.7).
The Catamounts come in on a high note after defeating the New Hampshire Wildcats in their last outing, 71-58. Vermont’s Drew Urquhart had a good outing, recording 13 points and eight rebounds. Vermont played a nearly flawless game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.408 (above their season average of 0.298) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.520 (below their season average of 0.572). New Hampshire was 0.180 and 0.385, respectively, for those same stats.
Half-court execution will be critical when a pair of the nations slowest-paced teams square off. Vermont currently ranks 345th in possessions per game (64.5) and Hartford is 271st (67.8). Furthermore, put-back points figure to be rare for the Hawks. They rank 252nd in the NCAA in offensive rebounding percentage at 26.7 percent, while the Catamounts are seventh-best on the defensive glass (defensive rebounding percentage of 77.7 percent).
Both teams have had a player trending in the right direction over their last five games. For the Hawks, it’s been J.R. Lynch, who has averaged 16.4 points, 3.4 assists and 2.0 steals, while the Catamounts have gotten great contributions from Urquhart (15.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks).
These teams have already met once this season. The Catamounts won 76-53. The Catamounts dominated every facet of the game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.458 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 21.4. The Hawks were 0.130 and 15.2, respectively, for those same stats. Trae Bell-Haynes was a top performer in the victory, with 17 points and six rebounds.
Hartford Hawks vs. Vermont Catamounts ATS Prediction
Pick: SU Winner – Vermont, ATS Winner – Vermont, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Hawks average 4.0 blocks per game, which ranks 70th in the nation. The Catamounts rank 71st in blocks allowed per game (3.0).
- Hartford ranks 70th in three pointers attempted per game (24.3) while Vermont ranks 235th (19.4).
- The Catamounts rank second in rebounds allowed per game (28.3) while the Hawks rank 150th (34.8).
- Hartford ranks 158th in steals per game (5.8) while Vermont ranks 247th (3.8).
Betting Trends:
- The Catamounts average margin of victory in their last five games has been 14.4, up from 9.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Hawks have scored an average of 71.8 points per game (0.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 65.6 points per game (5.6 below their season average).
