The UMBC Retrievers will look to earn the season sweep when they take on the Maine Black Bears in America East Conference action on Thursday. The Retrievers (9-18, 4-8 AEC), who defeated Maine 70-65 on Jan. 18, are also looking to extend their winning streak to three games. The Black Bears (11-15, 3-8 AEC), who are just 3-11 in their last 14 games, have won five of nine at The Pit in Orono, Maine. UMBC leads the all-time series 27-16, including an 11-7 edge in games played in Maine.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET. The Black Bears are 5.5-point favorites in the latest UMBC vs. Maine odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 151. Before making any Maine vs. UMBC picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 16 of the 2023-24 season on a 136-89 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $2,500 for $100 players. It is also off to a sizzling 25-13 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on UMBC vs. Maine and revealed its CBB picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for Maine vs. UMBC:
- UMBC vs. Maine spread: Maine -5.5
- UMBC vs. Maine over/under: 151 points
- UMBC vs. Maine money line: UMBC +194, Maine -241
- UMBC: The Retrievers have hit the game total over in 10 of their last 14 away games (+5.60 units)
- ME: The Black Bears have hit the team total under in 19 of their last 29 games (+7.55 units)
- UMBC vs. Maine picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why UMBC can cover
Senior center Max Lorca-Lloyd is in his first season with the Retrievers after spending three years at Pennsylvania. In 24 games, including 16 starts, he has been productive, averaging 6.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.4 assists in 22.6 minutes of action. In Saturday's win over Albany, he finished with 13 points, five rebounds and three blocks. He scored seven points and grabbed seven rebounds in the first meeting with Maine last month.
Sophomore guard Dion Brown entered the season as the most experienced returner after averaging 18.6 minutes as a freshman. He is fourth in the America East Conference at 17.8 points per game. He was named the America East Player of the Week on Nov. 13 for the first time in his career, after a pair of dominating performances to open the season. He scored 28 points in a 94-93 loss at Louisville, and 23 points in a 65-59 loss to Marist. See which team to pick here.
Why Maine can cover
Senior forward Peter Filipovity is the Black Bears' leading scorer. In 26 games, all starts, he is averaging 13.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 26.3 minutes. He has scored 20 or more points in six games and has registered seven double-doubles. He scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 79-72 win over Bryant on Feb. 3. In the first meeting against UMBC, he finished with eight points and seven rebounds.
Another weapon on offense for Maine is fourth-year junior guard Kellen Tynes. He has started all 25 games he has played in and is averaging 13.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.4 steals in 34.6 minutes of play. He scored 13 points and grabbed eight boards in the loss to UMBC last month. He is coming off a 17-point and six-rebound effort in the loss to Vermont on Saturday. See which team to pick here.
How to make Maine vs. UMBC picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 149 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations. You can see the picks at SportsLine.
So who wins UMBC vs. Maine, and which side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model on a 25-13 roll on top-ranked college basketball spread picks.
