Dec 29, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina Central Eagles guard Dionte Johnson (2) moves the ball up the court during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

MD Eastern Shore vs North Carolina Central Prediction 3/12/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

Pick details

MATCHUP MD Eastern Shore Hawks North Carolina Central Eagles
Team Records 8-14 12-17
Spread +1.5 -110 -1.5 -110
Moneyline +100 -120
Total Over 132.5 (-112) Under 132.5 (-108)
Where Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
When Thursday, March 12, 2026
Time 08:00 PM EDT
TV ESPN+

In this article, we will formulate a Maryland Eastern Shore vs North Carolina Central Prediction for this MEAC Tournament matchup on Thursday, March 12th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this college basketball matchup.

North Carolina Central Eagles Preview

The North Carolina Central Eagles have a 12-17 overall record and an 8-6 record in the MEAC conference. They are coming off an 80-64 home loss against South Carolina State and their previous three games were a 77-73 road win against Maryland Eastern Shore, a 74-60 road win against Delaware State and a 100-67 road loss against Howard.

Offensively, North Carolina Central averages 72.2 points per game, while allowing 76.4 points per game defensively. The Eagles shoot with 44% from the field and grab 31.6 rebounds per game, while dishing out 13.9 assists per game. They average 3.6 blocks per game and 8.9 steals per game defensively.

Gage Lattimore leads North Carolina Central in scoring, with an average of 17.2 points per game, while shooting with 39.2% from the field and 86.4% from the free throw line. Khouri Carvey is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.3 per game. Dionte Johnson leads the team in assists with 5.2 per game.

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks Preview

The Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks have a 9-22 overall record and a 5-9 record in the MEAC conference. They are coming off a 57-56 home loss against Delaware State and their previous three games were a 77-73 home loss against North Carolina Central, a 69-57 home win against South Carolina State and a 71-65 road loss against Coppin State.

Offensively, Maryland Eastern Shore averages 64 points per game, while allowing 70.4 points per game defensively. The Hawks shoot with 45% from the field and grab 32.5 rebounds per game, while dishing out 13.6 assists per game. They average 2.5 blocks per game and 5.7 steals per game defensively.

Zion Obanla leads Maryland Eastern Shore in scoring, with an average of 10.4 points per game, while shooting with 61% from the field and 66.7% from the free throw line, adding a team-high 5.8 rebounds. Michael Teal leads the team in assists with 3.5 per game.

Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks @ North Carolina Central Eagles Betting Trends: March 12, 2026

Why the North Carolina Central Eagles will win

  • Maryland-Eastern Shore has lost 11 of its last 12 night games.
  • North Carolina Central has won five of its last six night games.
  • North Carolina Central has won the first half in 18 of its last 19 games against Maryland-Eastern Shore.

Why the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks will win

  • North Carolina Central has lost the first half in each of its last five games.

Total Points Facts

  • Each of North Carolina Central’s last nine night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 135+ points.
  • Seven of Maryland-Eastern Shore’s last nine night games have produced a total of 136+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

  • North Carolina Central ranks 11th among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (15.0).
  • North Carolina Central ranks 21st among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (8.9).
  • Maryland-Eastern Shore ranks 365th among Division 1 teams for turnovers per game this season (15.8).
  • Maryland-Eastern Shore ranks 365th among Division 1 teams for turnover percentage this season (20.7%).

Maryland Eastern Shore vs North Carolina Central Prediction

In this Maryland Eastern Shore vs North Carolina Central Prediction, North Carolina Central is coming as -1.5 favorites. North Carolina Central has been the better team this season but Maryland Eastern Shore has been better against the spread. Maryland Eastern Shore has been on a free fall lately with a 1-9 record in its last 10 games and have been dominated by North Carolina Central in recent years, with a 2-8 record in their last 10 head-to-head matches. North Carolina Central has won both regular season meetings against Maryland Eastern Shore this season and with Maryland Eastern Shore having a bottom-10 offense in the entire nation, the value here lies with NC Central. Take NC Central on the moneyline in this one.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: North Carolina Central ML