As the college basketball season heats up, UMBC is looking to solidify its position in the America East standings with a win over Binghamton at the Events Center. The Retrievers, currently sitting at 11-7 overall and 5-1 in conference play, are favored to take down the struggling Bearcats, who boast a 4-18 record and 0-7 mark in the AE. With both teams needing quality wins to build their tournament resumes, this matchup takes on added importance, despite being a Quad 4 contest.
Binghamton is mired in a three-game losing streak, and its NET ranking of 363 doesn't inspire confidence. The Bearcats have struggled to find consistency, with a quad record of 0-3 in Q2, 0-1 in Q3, and 1-14 in Q4 games. Meanwhile, UMBC has shown flashes of brilliance, with a 10-3 record in Q4 contests, but its 0-2 marks in Q1 and Q2 games are a concern. The Retrievers' recent form has been uneven, with a loss, win, and win in their last three outings.
CHD Scout Prediction
UMBC
78
Binghamton
67
According to the CHD Scout prediction, UMBC is expected to win by 11.2 points, with Binghamton given just a 15.8% chance of pulling off the upset. With no notable player momentum to speak of, this one may come down to which team can execute its game plan more effectively. Given the Retrievers' superior record and recent performance, it's hard to bet against them.
Tournament Stakes
I predict UMBC will take down Binghamton by a margin of around 10 points, driven by its stronger overall record and conference performance. The Retrievers' ability to win on the road matters here, and I expect them to come out on top, 78-67.