Nov 6, 2024; Storrs, Connecticut, USA;Connecticut Huskies guard Ahmad Nowell (0) and Sacred Heart Pioneers forward Raymond Espinal-Guzman (15) work for the ball in the second half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
David Butler II-Imagn Images

Central Connecticut vs Sacred Heart Prediction 11/12/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

Pick details

Central Connecticut vs Sacred Heart Odds and Matchup Info
MATCHUP Central Connecticut Blue Devils Sacred Heart Pioneers
Team Records 1-2 2-1
Where William H. Pitt Center, Fairfield, CT
When Thursday, November 12, 2026
Time 07:00 PM EST
TV ESPN+

The Central Connecticut Blue Devils and the Sacred Heart Pioneers will meet Thursday night in a non-conference college basketball matchup at the William H. Pitt Center in Fairfield, Connecticut. Let’s take a look at this game from a betting perspective.

Central Connecticut Blue Devils vs. Sacred Pioneers Prediction

In my view, this matchup favors the Sacred Heart Pioneers to cover the number (3.5). Why? While both teams have faced challenging early season schedules, Sacred Heart has been the more productive offensive team and enters this contest with a better overall record.

The Pioneers have opened the season with a 2-1 record, recording victories over the Coast Guard Bears and the New Hampshire Wildcats. Their lone setback came against the Maine Black Bears. Meanwhile, Central Connecticut enters with a 1-2 record, with losses to the Syracuse Orange and the Temple Owls before defeating Dartmouth 78-71 in overtime three days ago.

The statistical comparison favors Sacred Heart. The Pioneers are averaging 76.5 points per game, ranking 157th nationally, while allowing 75 points per contest. Central Connecticut, meanwhile, is averaging only 61 points per game, which ranks 311th nationally, while allowing 80.3 points per contest, ranking 244th in the country.

What stands out most is the offensive gap. Sacred Heart is scoring more than 15 points per game than Central Connecticut through the early portion of the season. Combine that with the Pioneers’ home court advantage, and I believe Sacred Heart is well positioned to succeed in this one. With that said, I am backing the Sacred Heart Pioneers to cover the 3.5 points in this game.

Central Connecticut Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Central Connecticut Blue Devils enter Thursday night’s contest with a 1-2 overall win-loss record, including an 0-0 home record and a 1-2 mark on the road. The Blue Devils have challenged themselves with a difficult early schedule, suffering losses to the Syracuse Orange and the Temple Owls. To the Blue Devils credit, Central Connecticut responded with a 78-71 overtime victory over Dartmouth earlier this week.

How has Central Connecticut performed from a team data perspective in 2026? In three games played this season, the Central Connecticut Blue Devils are averaging 61 points per game (311th in the nation), while allowing a massive 80.3 points per contest which ranks a dreadful 244th in the nation. Central Connecticut has struggled offensively and has not defended consistently enough to overcome those scoring issues.

Junior guard Raphel Laurent has been a key contributor for the Blue Devils this season, averaging 13.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1 steal on 37.8 percent shooting from the field per contest.

2026-27 college basketball handicapper records, ranked by profit (bet to win $100).
RankCapperWonLostWin %Profit (to win $100)
1Brad Francis15478.95%+1010
2Jeremy Conn221166.67%+977
3Rodd Zawacky12763.16%+602
4Jay Yang12666.67%+525
5Big Al McMordie11664.71%+439

See the full rankings: Best College Basketball Handicappers

Sacred Heart Pioneers Betting Preview

The Sacred Heart Pioneers enter Thursday night’s matchup with a 2-1 overall record, including a 1-1 home record and a 1-0 mark on the road. The Pioneers opened the season with victories over the Coast Guard Bears and the New Hampshire Wildcats before falling to the Maine Black Bears.

Looking ahead, Sacred Heart has upcoming notable games with Marist, Rutgers and the Providence Friars.

Through three games this season, the Sacred Heart Pioneers are averaging 76.5 points per game, which ranks 157th nationally, while allowing 75 points per contest, ranking 163rd nationally. What did we learn from the data just presented? Sacred Heart has been the more balanced and productive team on the offensive end of the floor and possesses enough scoring punch to exploit Central Connecticut’s defensive weaknesses.

Central Connecticut Blue Devils Will Win

• Recent momentum. The Blue Devils are coming off a 78-71 overtime victory over Dartmouth.

• Battle tested schedule. Central Connecticut has already faced Syracuse and Temple.

• Experience on the road. All three games have come away from home.

• Confidence boost. The Blue Devils enter the game after picking up their first victory of the season.

Why the Sacred Heart Pioneers Will Win

• Better record. Sacred Heart enters the contest with a 2-1 mark.

• Offensive edge. The Pioneers are averaging 76.5 points per game compared to Central Connecticut’s 61 points per contest.

• Home-court advantage. Sacred Heart will play at the William H. Pitt Center.

• Recent wins. The Pioneers have already defeated Coast Guard and New Hampshire.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Sacred Heart -3.5

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