The Harvard Crimson is set to take on the UMass Minutemen for what should be one of the more interesting NCAA basketball games today. Harvard comes into this one as an above-average team throughout the past few seasons and has found success to start the year at 6-2 despite their tough NCAAB schedule.
On the other hand, the UMass Minutemen is also above average, for the most part, sitting at 5-1 this season. Let’s break it down with our UMass vs Harvard betting analysis.
UMass vs. Harvard Odds
The NCAAB odds coming into this game will favor UMass at -1.5.
Although this game will be played at Harvard, it makes sense that the UMass Minutemen are favored in this game, considering how well they’ve played against some tough opponents to start the season. They have wins over teams like Murray State and South Florida, which indicates how good this team can truly be.
On the money line, Harvard comes in at +110, and UMass comes in at -130.
The over/under is currently slotted at 138.5.
Matchup Information
Date and Time: Friday, December 2, 2022, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Boston, Massachusets
Venue: Lavietes Pavillion
How to Watch: ESPN
UMass vs. Harvard Betting Preview
UMass Minutemen
There are a few different ways we’ll have to think about this game, as both NCAAB teams have some of the more interesting college basketball players in the country.
UMass comes into this one after an impressive 73-67 win against South Florida, as they had five guys finish with double figures. Having five guys finish in double figures against a team like the South Florida Bulls is impressive for the UMass Minutemen, and we have to give them some credit here. They realize that if they want to continue climbing the college basketball standings in the Atlantic 10, they must be a consistent team all year.
The Atlantic 10 is one of the best mid-major conferences in America, and there’s even an argument to be made that it could be the best. Teams like Fordham, St. Louis, Davidson, Saint Bonaventure, and others are tough opponents, and UMass needs to win games now if they want to stay afloat in that conference.
The one guy I’m going to be looking for with this UMass team will undoubtedly be Matt Cross. Cross has played some impressive basketball to start the season, averaging 10.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and shooting an efficient 43.5% from the field. He’s coming into this game scoring at least 12 points in four of his last five games and looks to continue that against a Harvard defense that is above average.
Harvard Crimson
The Harvard Crimson is also coming to this one playing above-average basketball on the season, and we have to give them credit for what they’ve been able to do. They, as well as the UMass Minutemen, have impressive wins to start the season. At 6-2 and with wins over teams like Holy Cross, Loyola Chicago, Northeastern, and Elon, Harvard has shown the ability to be one of the top teams in the Ivy League this season.
Chris Ledlum is the guy I’m going to be looking for with this Harvard squad. He comes into this one averaging 18.6 points per game, which ranks him in the top 60 in the country to start the year. On top of that, he’s also shooting 55.8% from the field. When looking at his stats throughout the past five games, it’s easy to see why he’s the guy I’m looking for.
He scored at least 18 points in four of his last five games and has 30 and 29-point performances so far this season. His 30-point game against Loyola-Chicago was impressive as he finished with nine rebounds and shot 64.7% from the field as well. With the play he’s shown us throughout the first eight games of the season, it might be best to back Harvard with our UMass vs Harvard betting analysis.
UMass vs. Harvard Betting Preview
We’re finally here with our UMass vs Harvard betting prediction analysis, and the best bet in this game will be taking Harvard to win the game outright. Although we could be safe here and take them what the + 1 .5 points in case they were to lose the game by one point, I think this is the perfect time to play plus odds and take Harvard to win the game outright.
They’ve shown me throughout the season that they can beat some of the top teams in the country. Both of these teams’ college basketball injury reports are clean, which means we’ll see all of their top guys go at it. I love Harvard in this spot on their home court, and I’m going to back them on Thursday night.
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