UMass-Lowell vs Vermont Predictions, Picks, and Odds: River Hawks Get Over the Vermont Hump

There are just two teams left standing in the America East conference bracket as the UMass-Lowell River Hawks are set to battle the Vermont Catamounts on Saturday morning in a rematch of last year's America East conference finals.

These two teams have been the class of the conference all season long but the oddsmakers believe this is the Catamounts' game to lose, installing them as 7.5-point favorites in the college basketball odds. 

With a true homecourt advantage, can the Catamounts find a way to slow down the River Hawks offense? Or will UMass-Lowell finally break through the Catamounts for the first time this season and earn an automatic bid into the March Madness odds? 

Join me as I break down what should be a highly entertaining game, and offer my free college basketball picks for UMass-Lowell vs. Vermont on Saturday, March 16. 

UMass-Lowell vs Vermont best odds

UMass-Lowell vs Vermont picks and predictions

When the Vermont Catamounts take the court on Saturday, they'll aim to secure a victory that will not only crown them America East champions, but also earn them an automatic bid into their third consecutive March Madness tournament. 

Although the previous two years have not gone as planned, with both games resulting in lopsided losses as the No. 15 and No. 13 seeds, respectively, this could be the year they surprise the world.

The Catamounts are an incredible defensive team, boasting a Top-15 defensive rating. They are disciplined and do not turn the ball over, averaging just under nine turnovers per game, which is the 10th-best mark in the country. They've won nine straight games in various ways, including a 74-62 victory over UMass a fortnight ago.

On the other hand, UMass-Lowell is a team on the rise and is looking to secure its place among the field of 68 for the first time in its program's history. It will be eager to avenge last year's loss in this same game, but more importantly, it'll be looking to break through the Catamounts' defense for the first time this season.

When analyzing the River Hawks, they play their best basketball when the tempo is high, as they rank 19th in pace, with over 71 possessions per game, and score nearly 81 points per contest, which is a Top-30 mark.

Can they do enough — in a true road environment — to bait the Catamounts into running with them? If they can, the offense, which has five players scoring in double figures, should have no issues blowing past the 65-point threshold for the first time this season vs. Vermont.

Defensively, the River Hawks match up well. They boast a Top-18 defensive rating and are among the best rebounding teams in the country.

In a game that's a contrast in styles, and with everything to play for, I'll side with the team that's capable of scoring points in bunches in what I expect to be a highly entertaining contest. 

My best bet: UMass-Lowell moneyline (+225 at DraftKings)

UMass-Lowell vs Vermont same-game parlay

UMass moneyline

Over 125.5

+400 at bet365

UMass can pull off the upset by dictating its preferred pace of play for the entire 40 minutes. This is an uptempo team that thrives in an open game and if it can get the style of basketball it wants, reaching at least 65 is achievable.

The home support will energize Vermont, helping the Over come to fruition.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

UMass-Lowell vs Vermont spread and Over/Under analysis

Unsurprisingly, Vermont opened as home favorites upwards of -7.5 points but they've been less than stellar at covering spreads this year. The Catamounts own just a 14-17 mark ATS despite just six losses this year. 

UMass has fared no better ATS at just 12-16 but with expectations of this line rising as we approach tip-off,  I'd be inclined to grab the points here in what should be a highly entertaining game. 

As for the total, the two teams could not be further from contrasting styles. The Catamounts are 9-22 O/U with the River Hawks essentially dead even at 13-14-1 O/U. 

Whatever team can dictate the tempo of this game will dictate if this game goes Over or Under, and since I'm backing the River Hawks, I can see points being scored in this game. 

UMass-Lowell vs Vermont betting trend to know

UMass Lowell has cashed the moneyline in six of its last eight games (+3.30 units / 14% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for UMass-Lowell vs. Vermont.

UMass-Lowell vs Vermont game info

Vermont vs UMass-Lowell key injuries

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