The UMBC Retrievers (0-3) seek their first win when they take on the Northern Colorado Bears (1-1) at Butler-Hancock Hall. The game starts at 7:00 pm ET on Saturday, Nov. 21.
The Bears enter this game hoping for similar success after defeating Colorado Christian 85-70 on Tuesday. Anthony Johnson led all scorers on the team with 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting. The Retrievers, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their deflating 76-57 loss at the hands of Loyola Maryland on Wednesday. Rodney Elliott had a team-high 19 points.
Northern Colorado is a substantial 11-point favorite at home and the Over/Under (O/U) for this matchup is 149 points. The Bears start the season off cold Against The Spread (ATS) with a 0-1 record, while sporting a 1-1 Straight Up (SU) record. The Bears are one of the best in Division I in terms of free throw percentage, shooting a superb .800 from the free throw line.
UMBC may be taking trips to the free throw line early and often with the Bears averaging 25.5 fouls per game, one of the highest marks in Division I.
This game marks the first time Northern Colorado and UMBC have played one another in recent seasons.
Predictions: SU Winner – UMBC, ATS Winner – UMBC, O/U – Over
Notes
Northern Colorado is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games at home.
On average, Northern Colorado has 78.0 possessions per game and scores 1.006 points on each possession. UMBC has both fewer possessions (69.8) and scores fewer points during those possessions (.873).
UMBC has an average effective field goal percentage of 41.4%. Northern Colorado is an even 1-1 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
Northern Colorado attempts an average of 20.0 three pointers per game and UMBC attempts 24.0. Both teams are winless in games where they attempt at least 20 three pointers. The Northern Colorado Bears are 0-1 while the UMBC Retrievers are 0-2.
Northern Colorado averages a forced turnover percentage of 17.3% this season. When the UMBC Retrievers suffer a turnover rate equal to or exceeding this, the team is winless with a 0-1 record.
