The Maine Black Bears (4-15, 1-3 AmEast) look to snap the six-game winning streak of Vermont when they travel to Roy L Patrick Gymnasium to clash against the Catamounts (13-5, 3-0 AmEast). Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, January 15, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN 3.
Maine Black Bears vs. Vermont Catamounts Odds Preview
The Black Bears were blown out by the Albany Great Danes in their last matchup, 84-66. Maine’s Aaron Calixte had a good performance, leading the team in scoring with 16 points on 5-for-10 shooting. Albany did a fantastic job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (35-44; 79.5 percent). Maine, meanwhile, held the Great Danes to an effective field goal percentage of 0.422 (below their season average of 0.519).
In the Catamounts last matchup, they topped the Stony Brook Seawolves, 73-62. Vermont was lifted by Trae Bell-Haynes, who was the games leading scorer with 20 points on 6-for-10 shooting. Vermont played a nearly flawless game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.415 (above their season average of 0.281) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.683 (above their season average of 0.568). For those same stats, Stony Brook had marks of 0.070 and 0.509, respectively.
The prolific offense of Vermont (23rd in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 116.6) will go head-to-head against the mid-tier defense of Maine (150th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 101.5). The Catamounts figure to have the edge on that end of the court. Additionally, the Black Bears, who rank 285th in offensive rebounding percentage (25.3 percent), will face off against the Catamounts, who rank fifth in defensive rebounding percentage (77.9 percent).
Both teams have had a player heat up over their last five games. For the Black Bears, it’s been Calixte, who has averaged 17.8 points and 3.6 assists, while the Catamounts have received great contributions from Payton Henson (15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds).
This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Catamounts won all three contests played against each other last season. In the last contest, Vermont won 86-41. The Catamounts played a nearly flawless game. They had a superb turnover percentage of 9.3 and a phenomenal effective field goal percentage of 0.641. For those same stats, the Black Bears were 22.4 and 0.350, respectively.
Maine Black Bears vs. Vermont Catamounts Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Vermont, ATS Winner – Vermont, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Catamounts rank 122nd in assists per game (13.9) while the Black Bears rank 151st in assists allowed per game (13.9).
- Vermont ranks second in rebounds allowed per game (28.3) while Maine ranks 242nd (39.2).
- The Catamounts rank 44th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while the Black Bears rank 174th (7.6).
- Maine ranks 53rd in three pointers attempted per game (25.3) while Vermont ranks 117th in three pointers allowed per game (21.4).
Betting Trends:
- The Catamounts average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.2, up from 7.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Black Bears have scored an average of 70.0 points per game (3.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 76.6 points per game (3.4 above their season average).
