UNC Wilmington vs Yale Prediction 3/17/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Yale Bulldogs and the UNC Wilmington Seahawks meet Tuesday in college basketball action from the Lee Amphitheater. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Yale Bulldogs vs. UNC Wilmington Seahawks prediction.

Yale Bulldogs Recap

The Yale Bulldogs come into this game looking to bounce back from their loss to Penn in the Ivy League championship by a final score of 88-84 in OT.

Bulldogs Looking To Make Noise In NIT

Nick Townsend leads the Bulldogs across the board with team-highs of 16.4 PPG along with 7.4 RPG and 4.3 APG while Isaac Celiscar has 12.9 PPG with 6.1 RPG and 3.1 APG as well this season. Riley Fox has 10.3 PPG with 2 RPG and Trevor Mullin has 11.7 PPG with 2.3 RPG and 2.8 APG and Casey Simmons has 10.4 PPG with 3.9 RPG to round out the group of double-digit scorers for Yale so far this season. Samson Aletan has 7.9 PPG with 5.6 RPG. As a team, Yale is averaging 81.8 PPG on 49.6% shooting from the field, 40% from three and 75.6% from the foul line this season. 

UNC Wilmington Seahawks Recap

The UNC Wilmington Seahawks come into this game looking to bounce back from their 85-70 loss at the hands of Campbell in the CAA tournament. 

Seahawks Looking To Shake Off Early Loss In Conference Tournament

Nolan Hodge leads the Seahawks in scoring with 15.4 PPG and 4.8 RPG while Patrick Wessler has 13.4 PPG with a team-high 9.2 RPG to lead UNC Wilmington in rebounding. Madison Durr has 10.2 PPG and Christian May has 10.2 PPG with 5.3 RPG to cap off the scoring in double figures for UNCW so far this season. Noah Ross has 9.8 PPG with 5 RPG while Greedy Williams has 9.6 PPG with 2.8 RPG and a team-high 4.3 APG to lead Wilmington in assists. Gavin Walsh also has 9.5 PPG with 6.5 RPG as well on the year. As a team, UNC Wilmington is averaging 77.3 PPG on 45% shooting from the field, 35.7% from three and 69.2% from the foul line this season.

North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks @ Yale Bulldogs Betting Trends: March 17, 2026

Why the Yale Bulldogs will win

• Yale has won each of its last six games at John J. Lee Amphitheater after coming off overtime.
• Yale has won the first half in 11 of its last 12 games against non-Conference opponents.

Why the North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks will win

• North Carolina-Wilmington has won 11 of its last 12 road games.
• North Carolina-Wilmington has won the first half in each of its last 12 games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of North Carolina-Wilmington’s last four games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.
• Five of Yale’s last six games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 151+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Yale ranks 10th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throws made per game this season (10.9).
• Yale ranks 12th among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (123.0).
• North Carolina-Wilmington ranks 9th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (29.6%).
• North Carolina-Wilmington ranks 20th among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (5.1).

Yale Bulldogs vs. UNC Wilmington Seahawks Prediction

I’m on UNC Wilmington here. I think that the Seahawks can come in and keep this game competitive against a Yale team that just lost on Sunday in heartbreaking fashion and Wilmington’s had a few days off after being upset as the 1-seed in the CAA tournament to stew on that loss and I think they come out motivated here. Give me UNC Wilmington and the points here.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: UNC Wilmington +5.5