- Matchup: Vermont Catamounts vs UMBC Retrievers
- Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
- Venue: Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, Baltimore, MD
- Broadcast: ESPN2
- Odds/Spread: UMBC favored by 3 points
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In the upcoming American East Finals, the UMBC Retrievers (23-8) are set to face off against the Vermont Catamounts (22-11) this Saturday at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, where Vermont enters as 3-point underdogs with a total over/under of 137.5.
The Vermont Catamounts recently secured a victory against NJIT, finishing the game with a score of 63-54. Throughout the game, Vermont committed 11 fouls, while NJIT amassed 16. The Catamounts converted 7 out of 22 three-point attempts and NJIT hit 71.4% of their free throws, making 5 of 7 tries. NJIT recorded 32 rebounds (10 offensive, 22 defensive) and managed to ring up 7 assists and steals. On defense, Vermont held NJIT to a shooting percentage of 36.2% on 21 of 58 attempts. Vermont also dished out 9 assists, enforced 11 turnovers, and secured 8 steals during the match, while grabbing 31 rebounds (6 offensive). At the free-throw line, Vermont succeeded on 10 of their 15 attempts (66.7%). Overall, the Catamounts ended the game with a field-goal percentage of 41.8% (23 of 55) and sank 7 of 25 attempts from beyond the arc.
Notable contributor Sean Blake delivered 14 points on 5 of 10 shooting, contributing 5 rebounds and 2 assists over 31 minutes of play.
The Catamounts head into this contest with a season record of 22-11. They average 9.5 turnovers per game and commit about 16.8 personal fouls. On the glass, Vermont collects 34.9 rebounds per game and has tallied 426 assists this season, ranking 224th nationally. They have a three-point shooting percentage of 34.5% (287 of 832) and hit 71.9% of their free throws. With an average of 73.8 points per game (ranked 236th in college basketball), they boast a field-goal percentage of 46.4%.
Defensively, the Catamounts force an average of 9.7 turnovers per game while also drawing an average of 16.8 personal fouls. They allow opponents to shoot 35.1% from three-point range and give up an average of 68.4 points per game, ranking them 45th in Division 1. Vermont’s opponents shoot at a 42.8% rate (764 of 1,786) and they rebound 31.2 times per game collectively. In assists allowed, they stand at 59th in Division 1, conceding 379 for the year.
In their most recent game, the UMBC Retrievers bested UMass Lowell with a score of 91-69. During that match, UMBC allowed UMass Lowell to collect 34 boards (15 offensive). They finished shooting 34.6% from three-point range (9 of 26) and hit 90.9% of their free-throw attempts (10 of 11). Their defense allowed UMass Lowell to connect on 25 of 69 shots overall, equating to a 36.2% shooting mark. UMBC completed their game shooting 54.1% from the field (33 of 61), hitting 9 of 20 from beyond the arc (45.0%). They converted 16 of 22 free throws, resulting in a 72.7% efficiency. UMass Lowell was whistled for 14 fouls, leading to 22 free-throw attempts for the Retrievers. UMBC turned the ball over 6 times but recorded 10 steals and secured 36 total boards (25 defensive, 11 offensive).
Jah’Likai King was a standout performer for UMBC, scoring 24 points with 7 of 14 shooting and grabbing 4 rebounds while also dishing out 1 assist in 33 minutes of play.
For the season, UMBC stands at 23-8. The Retrievers average 13.4 personal fouls per game and make 75.8% of their free throws. They are getting assists at a rate of 12.4 times per game (291st in college basketball) and lose possession via turnovers 9.6 times per game. This season, UMBC has scored 2,365 points, averaging 76.3 per contest, while bringing in 35.6 rebounds per game. Offensively, they excel with a shooting percentage of 47.3%, ranking 62nd nationally.
The Retrievers rank 31st in points allowed per game at 67.3. They force 10.4 turnovers and let opponents shoot 42.4% from the floor (77th in the nation). Their defense allows 31.5% on three-point attempts (212 of 674), with opponents hitting 68.1% of their free throws. UMBC permits 10.5 assists and has surrendered 33.2 total rebounds per game, placing them 10th and 101st in their respective categories defensively.
Who will triumph in tonight’s NCAA matchup against the spread?
Prediction: Take UMBC (-3)
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