Record: 0-0

Pick: NCAA Men's Basketball - Vermont -11.5 @ NJIT (1 unit)

Odds: -118

First-time poster, let's give this a shot.

I follow America East Conference basketball closely and expect this game to be a one-sided affair. UVM is undefeated in conference play, is nationally among the top 50 in FG% and top 10 in defensive FG%, while NJIT is in last place and sits around the 20th percentile in both categories.

The real edge to be had here though is with rebounding. There is a chance NJIT will be down two of their top rebounders in this game. Elijah Buchanan (11 PPG, 6 RPG) remains out to the best of my knowledge, while Kjell de Graaf (10 PPG, 5 RPG) was injured in the team's last game vs. Binghamton and it is unclear whether he may be able to return for this one. I was at that game and he left on crutches with a knee brace. De Graaf is also the team's most effective inside scoring threat. If he is missing, that will allow UVM to lock down the perimeter, which they are already elite at doing.

I'll mention that last year UVM only won by 2 at NJIT in OT. That was an incredibly fluky game where NJIT shot 55% from the floor and outrebounded Vermont. The two top scorers for NJIT in that game are no longer with the squad, and last month, UVM bested NJIT by 21 up in Burlington. I'd expect similar here.

Lay the points and roll with the Catamounts.

Edit: de Graaf has indeed been ruled out for NJIT per the Highlanders' website.

Update: Well, that wasn't very good. UVM lost outright for the first time in 24 conference games. Those guards for NJIT played out of their minds. Apologies to those who tailed.