Central Connecticut vs Long Island University Prediction 1/30/25 College Basketball Picks

The Central Connecticut Blue Devils and the Long Island University Sharks meet Thursday in college basketball action from Steinberg Wellness Center. Here’s a Central Connecticut vs LIU prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Central Connecticut vs LIU pick. We will examine:

The Central Connecticut Blue Devils’ recent form and player performance

The Long Island University Sharks’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Central Connecticut Blue Devils

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Long Island University Sharks

Recent betting trends in games played between Central Connecticut and LIU

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Central Connecticut vs LIU game

Central Connecticut Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Blue Devils didn’t start out the year so great, but they’ve been doing much better since late November. Central Connecticut opened on a 2-3 run with losses to Providence, Northeastern, and Sacred Heart in that time. A nice 9-1 stretch came in the next 10 outings with wins over Binghamton, UMass Lowell, UMass, Holy Cross, Fairfield, Quinnipiac, Johnson & Wales RI, St. Francis PA, and Mercyhurst. After losses to Wagner and LIU, the Blue Devils have since taken out Fairleigh Dickinson, Le Moyne, and Chicago State for a 14-6 overall record so far this year.

In the Chicago State matchup on Sunday, the Blue Devils held a 30-22 edge by the break. Central Connecticut surged in the second half on a 51-42 run to complete a dominant win 81-64. Four starters finished in double-figures, including Devin Haid with 17 points, seven boards, and four assists. Jordan Jones added 16 points and six rebounds as well.

LIU Sharks Betting Preview

Over on the Long Island U side, they limped to a 4-11 overall record over their first 15 games. The losses in that time were versus Ole Miss, Cal Baptist, Columbia, Winthrop, Lafayette, Binghamton, Niagara, UMass Lowell, Missouri, Mount St. Mary’s, and Lehigh. After wins versus Le Moyne, Chicago State, Stonehill, Central Connecticut, St Francis PA, and Mercyhurst, the Sharks fell to St Francis PA and Mercyhurst in both rematches. The result in the record column so far has been a 10-13 run through 23 games this season.

On Sunday in the road matchup with Mercyhurst, the Sharks hit a 29-26 deficit in the first half. LIU evened it up in the second but eventually fell 85-80 in overtime for a tough result. Brent Davis led the team with 20 points and three rebounds in the losing effort, while both Jamal Fulelr and Blake Lander added 14 points apiece with a combined 12 rebounds.

Why the LIU Sharks will win

• LIU has won each of its last five home games against Conference opponents.
• Central Connecticut has lost six of its last seven night games at Steinberg Wellness Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• LIU has won the first half in six of its last seven night games against Central Connecticut at Steinberg Wellness Center.

Why the Central Connecticut Blue Devils will win

• Central Connecticut has won each of its last six road games against Conference opponents.
• LIU has lost each of its last five night games following a road loss.
• Central Connecticut has won the first half in four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Central Connecticut vs LIU Prediction

I’ll stick with Central Connecticut, but this should be a pretty good matchup regardless. The Blue Devils didn’t play too badly versus a struggling Chicago State team in their last outing, shooting 44.4 percent from the field with 41 rebounds and just seven turnovers. The only real blemish was the middling 19-of-27 (70.4 percent) from the line. That makes three straight wins for the Devils with 71 or more points in each.

These teams last met up fairly recently in a 54-52 road win for the Sharks back on January 12 at Detrick. Neither team shot well in that one: LIU had 40.4 percent from the field and Central CT shot just 34 percent on the other side. The rebounding (36-35 in favor of the Devils) and turnovers (10 each) were comparable, but Central Connecticut was pretty bad from the line on 13-of-20 (65 percent). The miserable 24-16 deficit in the first half didn’t help Central Connecticut’s chances, either.

With LIU coming back home after a pair of tough road losses, this is going to be a tricky matchup for the Devils. I like Central CT to pull it off in the end, but it should be a pretty close game overall—and a fun one to watch.