Check out our free LIU vs Merrimack College pick and preview for this NCAA Basketball game in North Andover. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this College Basketball matchup.
LIU vs Merrimack College Pick & Preview: Thursday, February 2nd Betting Odds
Sharks vs Warriors Matchup at a Glance
- Sport: NCAAB
- Teams: LIU Sharks at Merrimack College Warriors
- Where: North Andover at Hammel Court
- Date: Thursday, February 2nd
- Betting Odds: LIU +12, LIUB +558 | MERRI -840 O/U 128.5
Sharks Preview:
Through 22 games, the LIU Sharks have an overall record of 3-19. So far, the Sharks have played 12 games on the road, with a record of 1-11. For the season, LIU has been the underdog in 20 games, sitting with a mark of 1-19. Currently, the oddsmakers have the lines set with the Sharks being +12 point underdogs.
LIU will be counting on another strong performance from the team’s leading scorer Marko Maletic who is averaging 16.8 points per game for the Sharks. Maletic is also important to the team’s ability to score on the perimeter. So far, he leads the team in 3-point shots made. Also key to the Sharks’ offensive game plan is the play of Jacob Johnson who has hit 45.2% of his field goal attempts on his way to averaging 10.95 points per game.
On offense, LIU is scoring a rate similar to the NCAA average at 74.8 points per game. This figure has come despite struggling to knock down shots from outside. Through 22 games, they have only hit 31.3% of their 3-point field goal attempts. For the season, 40.06% of their shots have come from beyond the arc.
Warriors Preview:
The Merrimack College Warriors head into today’s game in what will be their 24th game of the season, posting a record of 7-16. So far this season, Merrimack College has played 9 games at home, sitting with a record of 3-6. The Warriors’ are sitting with a betting line that is -12 points in their favor. For the season, Merrimack College has been favored to win in 6 games, sitting with a mark of 2-4.
Jordan Minor comes into today’s game as the Warriors’ leading scorer at 16.59 points per contest. Not only has Minor been key to the team’s scoring efforts, but he is Merrimack College’s top rebounder at 8.59 boards per contest. Behind Minor, the team has benefited from the strong play of Ziggy Reid, who is second on the team in scoring at 12.17 points per game. Overall, he has hit 40.4% of his shots and is adding 3.87 boards per game.
Offensive production has been hard to come by for Merrimack College this season, as they are currently ranked 446th in college basketball at 61.4 points per game. A major reason for low scoring totals is the fact that they have played at a below average pace, and have struggled to knock down outside shots. As a team, the Warriors’ 3-point shooting percentage sits at just 33.1%, placing them 319th in the NCAA.
Free Spread Prediction: LIU Sharks +12
The Merrimack College Warriors will begin their matchup against LIU Sharks as the strong favorites to win with a point spread of -12. Our analysis favors Merrimack College’s chances to pull home with an easy win and cover the spread. When considering how each team prefers to play, both Merrimack College and LIU are near the NCAA average in possessions per game. We like how this scenario benefits Merrimack College, as their superior talent should come through throughout the game in an easy win. Although the Warriors don’t have a great track record vs the spread as the betting favorite, going 2-3 (last 5), we like their chances to come home with the ATS win.
