Bryant vs. Central Connecticut odds, line: 2021 college basketball picks, Jan. 7 predictions from proven model

The SportsLine Projection Model has simulated Central Connecticut vs. Bryant 10,000 times

By CBS Sports Staff

Jan 7, 2021 at 9:21 am ET • 2 min read

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NEC action helps get the Thursday college basketball schedule underway when the Central Connecticut Blue Devils travel to take on the Bryant Bulldogs at 4 p.m. ET. Central Connecticut is just 2-5 on the season but is tied for third in the conference with a 2-2 mark. Bryant is 7-2 overall and is second in the conference with a 3-1 NEC record.

William Hill Sportsbook lists the Bulldogs as 14-point favorites in the latest Bryant vs. Central Connecticut odds. The over-under for total points is set at 164. Before making any Central Connecticut vs. Bryant picks, check out the college basketball predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past four-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of $2,400 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Bryant vs. Central Connecticut. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college basketball odds and betting trends for Central Connecticut vs. Bryant:

Bryant vs. Central Connecticut spread: Bryant -14
Bryant vs. Central Connecticut over-under: 164 points
BRY: Is 6-2 against the spread this season
CCSU: Is 2-4 against the spread this season

Why Bryant can cover

The Bulldogs, who opened their season with an impressive showing in an 85-84 loss to Syracuse, look like NEC contenders and they come into this matchup on a four-game winning streak. They've found success on both ends of the floor during their current streak. The defense held opponents to 75 or fewer points in the first three games of that run. Then the offense took over in a 93-88 win at UMass in their last outing.

Michael Green III is Bryant's leading scorer at 18.7 ppg. Peter Kiss (17.4 ppg), Chris Childs (15.0 ppg) and Charles Pride (14.0 ppg) are all heavily involved on offense as well. The Bulldogs are 6-2 against the spread this season.

Why Central Connecticut can cover

The Blue Devils haven't had the overall success that Bryant has enjoyed this season, but they've been battling in NEC play, even as COVID-19 concerns have cancelled their last two games. They have a 2-2 conference mark and haven't lost by more than eight points in those two setbacks. They're also coming off perhaps their strongest showing of the season when they beat St. Francis (BKN) 78-59 back on Dec. 16.

Greg Outlaw leads the team with 12.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg. Tre Mitchell averages 12.0 ppg and is one of the team's better 3-point shooters at 41.4 percent for the season.

How to make Bryant vs. Central Connecticut picks

The model is leaning under on the total, with the simulations showing the teams will combine for 161 points. It also says one side of the spread hits almost 60 percent of the time. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Central Connecticut vs. Bryant? And which side of the spread hits almost 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college basketball picks, and find out.