Fairfield vs Merrimack Prediction College Basketball Picks 1/3/25

In this article, we will formulate a Fairfield vs Merrimack prediction for this College Basketball game on Friday, January 3rd at Hammel Court in North Andover, Massachusetts. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

Fairfield Stags Betting Preview

The Fairfield Stags are 5-8 (1-1) this year after they lost to Columbia by a score of 85-72 in their last game. Fairfield led 41-32 at halftime, but they allowed 53 points in the second half for the loss. The Stags shot 43.8% from the field, 44.8% on three-pointers, and 50% on free throws in the game. Louis Bleechmore led Fairfield with 12 points and four rebounds, while Jamie Bergens added 12 points and seven assists in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Stags lost to Monmouth by a score of 88-74 and Central Connecticut by a score of 64-63. Fairfield has lost four games in a row, but they do have a conference win over Rider by a score of 78-75. Fairfield has scored 71 points per game and they have allowed 75.1 points per game, while also averaging 34.1 rebounds and 14.1 assists per game this season. Prophet Johnson is averaging 12.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, while Jamie Bergens is averaging 9.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game this year. Fairfield is shooting 41.4% from the field, 68.2% on free throws, and 32.2% on three-pointers this year. 

Merrimack Warriors Betting Preview

The Merrimack Warriors are 5-8 (2-0) this season after they lost to St. Mary’s by a score of 73-68 in their last game. Merrimack trailed 32-26 at halftime, but they did score 42 points in the second half in the loss. The Warriors shot 50% from the field, 57.1% on three-pointers, and 100% on free throws in the game. Sean Trumper led Merrimack with 13 points and four assists, while Adam Clark added 12 points and eight assists in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Warriors lost to Stanford by a score of 74-68 but did beat Boston University by a score of 64-61 before that. Merrimack has won four of their last six games, which was a nice response after losing the previous six games. Merrimack has scored 63.5 points per game and they have allowed 67.8 points per game, while also averaging 28.9 rebounds and 10.6 assists per game this season. Adam Clark is averaging 20.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, while Sean Trumper is averaging 9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game this year. Merrimack is shooting 41.7% from the field, 76.4% on free throws, and 32.1% on three-pointers this year. Merrimack will meet Sacred Heart and Manhattan after this game.

Why Merrimack will beat Fairfield

• Merrimack has won 13 of its last 15 games at Lawler Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Fairfield has lost each of its last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Fairfield has lost the first half in each of its last three road day games against Conference opponents.

Fairfield vs Merrimack Prediction 

Both of these teams come into this matchup with 5-8 records to start the season, but Merrimack is looking to stay undefeated in conference play. The Warriors have lost two games in a row, but they were very competitive with St. Mary’s and Stanford in both games. Merrimack is only shooting 41.7% from the field and they are scoring just 63.5 points per game, but their defense has been very solid over the last few weeks. Fairfield has lost four games in a row and they have allowed at least 85 points in three of those four games. The Stags are actually shooting slightly worse than Merrimack from the field, but they are scoring 71 points per game. Both teams are simply not very good at shooting the basketball, but I have to give the edge to the Merrimack defense at home.