Maine vs UMBC Prediction 1/8/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

In this article we will formulate a Maine vs UMBC prediction for this College Basketball game on Thursday, January 8th at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

Maine Black Bears Betting Preview

The Maine Black Bears are 2-14 (0-1) this season after they lost to Bryant by a score of 56-51 in their last game. Maine trailed 26-17 at halftime, but did win the second half 34-30 in the loss. The Black Bears shot 32% from the field, 11% on three pointers, and 54% on free throws in the game. TJ Biel led Maine with 20 points and seven rebounds, while Ryan Mabrey added nine points and three rebounds in the loss. 

Prior to that game, Maine defeated a non-D1 team by a score of 104-66, but lost to Drexel by a score of 74-56 before that. The Black Bears have scored 60.8 points per game with 29.6 rebounds and 11.6 assists per game, while they have allowed 69.4 points against per game this season. TJ Biel is averaging 11.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while Keelan Steele is averaging 8.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game for the Black Bears. Maine is shooting 43.9% from the field, 60.7% on free throws, and 31.1% on three pointers this season. 

UMBC Retrievers Betting Preview

The UMBC Retrievers are 7-6 (0-0) this year after they defeated Coppin State by a score of 93-59 in their last game. UMBC led 40-34 at halftime and they scored 53 points in the second half in the blowout win. The Retrievers shot 52% from the field, 48% on three pointers, and 57% on free throws in the game. DJ Armstrong Jr led UMBC with 31 points and three assists, while Ace Valentine added 19 points and eight assists in the win. 

Prior to that game, UMBC lost to South Florida by a score of 94-69 and Army by a score of 63-60. The Retrievers have scored 75.2 points per game with 36.3 rebounds and 14.5 assists per game, while they have allowed 71.7 points against per game this season. Jah’Likai King is averaging 14.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, while DJ Armstrong Jr is averaging 13.0 points and 2.8 assists per game for the Retrievers. UMBC is shooting 47.0% from the field, 68.5% on free throws, and 35.4% on three pointers this year. 

Why the UMBC Retrievers will win

• Maine has lost 15 of its last 17 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• The home team has won six of the last seven games between Maine and UMBC.
• The home team has won the first half in seven of UMBC’s last nine games.

Why the Maine Black Bears will win

• Maine has won nine of its last 10 night games against the America East Conference.
• UMBC has lost six of its last seven home night games against the America East Conference.
• UMBC has lost the first half in five of its last six games against the America East Conference.

Maine vs UMBC Prediction 

UMBC comes into this matchup after losing three of their last four games and they have allowed 94 and 83 points in two of those losses. The Retrievers are shooting 47% from the field and they managed to score 93 points last time out. Maine has also lost three of their last four games and they have scored 56 points or fewer in all three of those losses. The Black Bears are shooting 44% from the field and I just don’t trust their offense on the road. Take UMBC to cover at home.

David Racey's Pick: UMBC -8.5