Who's Playing

Maine @ UMass Lowell

Current Records: Maine 6-7; UMass Lowell 13-2

What to Know

The UMass Lowell River Hawks won both of their matches against the Maine Black Bears last season (71-62 and 62-50) and are aiming for the same result Thursday. The River Hawks and Maine will face off in an America East battle at 6 p.m. ET at Costello Athletic Center. UMass Lowell is out to keep their seven-game home win streak alive.

On Saturday UMass Lowell capped 2022 off with a 67-64 victory over the New Jersey Tech Highlanders. The overall outcome was to be expected, but New Jersey Tech made it more of a contest than the oddsmakers had predicted.

Speaking of close games: Maine entered their game against the Harvard Crimson last Wednesday without any home losses -- but there's a first time for everything. The Black Bears were just a bucket short of a win and fell 74-73 to Harvard.

This next matchup looks promising for the River Hawks, who are favored by a full 13 points. Those interested in the spread don't face an easy decision since they are 9-4 ATS and Maine 7-3-1.

UMass Lowell is now 13-2 while Maine sits at 6-7. Two numbers to keep in mind before tip-off: UMass Lowell has allowed their opponents an average of 8.6 steals per game, the 351st most in college basketball. To make matters even worse for the River Hawks, the Black Bears enter the game with 9.7 steals per game on average, good for 19th best in college basketball. In other words, UMass Lowell will need to work extra hard to take care of the ball.

How To Watch

  • When: Thursday at 6 p.m. ET
  • Where: Costello Athletic Center -- Lowell, Massachusetts
  • Follow: CBS Sports App

Odds

The River Hawks are a big 13-point favorite against the Black Bears, according to the latest college basketball odds.

The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the River Hawks as a 13.5-point favorite.

Over/Under: -111

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Series History

UMass Lowell have won eight out of their last 12 games against Maine.

  • Feb 02, 2022 - UMass Lowell 62 vs. Maine 50
  • Jan 19, 2022 - UMass Lowell 71 vs. Maine 62
  • Feb 12, 2020 - UMass Lowell 71 vs. Maine 63
  • Jan 15, 2020 - Maine 104 vs. UMass Lowell 98
  • Feb 27, 2019 - UMass Lowell 70 vs. Maine 61
  • Jan 30, 2019 - Maine 78 vs. UMass Lowell 59
  • Feb 21, 2018 - UMass Lowell 88 vs. Maine 76
  • Jan 31, 2018 - UMass Lowell 88 vs. Maine 64
  • Feb 09, 2017 - UMass Lowell 100 vs. Maine 68
  • Jan 11, 2017 - Maine 73 vs. UMass Lowell 71
  • Feb 11, 2016 - UMass Lowell 108 vs. Maine 95
  • Jan 13, 2016 - Maine 95 vs. UMass Lowell 81