| MATCHUP | UMBC Retrievers | Vermont Catamounts |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 12-7 | 13-8 |
| Where | Patrick Gymnasium, Burlington, VT | |
| When | Thursday, January 29, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
UMBC Retrievers Betting Preview
The UMBC Retrievers beat UMass Lowell and NJIT, and they play Albany next. UMBC has won 6 of its last 7 games.
The UMBC Retrievers are averaging 80 points on 47.5 percent shooting and allowing 74.3 points on 44.2 percent shooting. Jah’likai King is averaging 14.9 points and 4.1 rebounds, while DJ Armstrong Jr. is averaging 13.5 points and 2.7 rebounds. Ace Valentine is the third double-digit scorer and Caden Diggs is grabbing 3.6 rebounds. The UMBC Retrievers are shooting 36 percent from beyond the arc and 73 percent from the free throw line. The UMBC Retrievers are allowing 31.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.4 rebounds per game.
Vermont Catamounts Betting Preview
The Vermont Catamounts beat UMass Lowell and Bryant, and they play NJIT next. Vermont has won 5 of its last 6 games.
The Vermont Catamounts are averaging 78.9 points on 46.9 percent shooting and allowing 74.6 points on 43.4 percent shooting. Gus Yalden is averaging 16.6 points and 5.4 rebounds, while TJ Hurley is averaging 14.5 points and 1.6 assists. TJ Long is the third double-digit scorer and Sean Blake is grabbing 3.9 rebounds. The Vermont Catamounts are shooting 34.8 percent from beyond the arc and 74.2 percent from the free throw line. The Vermont Catamounts are allowing 35.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.4 rebounds per game.
Why the Vermont Catamounts will win
- Vermont has won 26 of its last 27 home night games against the America East Conference.
- UMBC has lost 16 of its last 17 road games following a home win.
- UMBC has lost the first half in five of its last six games at Roy L. Patrick Gymnasium against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the UMBC Retrievers will win
- UMBC has won six of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Vermont has lost the first half in three of its last four home games against the America East Conference.
UMBC vs Vermont Prediction
Vermont has won 8 of the last 9 games against UMBC and is at home where it’s been a tough out for years. However, this isn’t the same dominant Vermont team we’ve seen in years past and the defense can be spotty at times. UMBC has 4 road wins this season and shoots the ball as any team in the conference. This is a confident UMBC side that has to view this as a chance to make a statement to the rest of the American East. UMBC has the offensive firepower to leave this game with a victory. Give me UMBC and whatever the line is.