Fairfield Stags vs Merrimack College Warriors NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/3/25

Betting on today’s Stags and Warriors game? Catch the action at Hammel Court in North Andover, MA, as the Warriors hosts this showdown at 3:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 138.5 points, and Merrimack College is favored by -7.5 to win at home against Fairfield.

FAIRFIELD STAGS VS MERRIMACK COLLEGE WARRIORS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Fairfield Stags +7.5

This game will be played at Hammel Court at 3:00 ET on Friday, January 3rd.

WHY BET THE FAIRFIELD STAGS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-70 in favor of the Stags.
• Not only will Fairfield pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +7.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 138.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.

Will Fairfield Come Through as Road Underdogs?

Fairfield Stags Recent Game/Games

Fairfield’s season record dropped to 4-8 after an 85-72 loss to Columbia on Saturday. The Stags, who entered the game as +9.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 157, surpassing the over/under line of 153.5.

Fairfield led 41-32 at halftime but struggled in the 2nd half, scoring just 31 points while allowing 53 points to Columbia.

Fairfield’s offense put up 72 points in their last game, shooting 43.8% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage stood at 53.1%, thanks to hitting 44.8% from three-point range, connecting on 13 of 29 attempts. They struggled from the free-throw line, making just 3 of 6 shots.

Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa led the way with 27 points, hitting 5 threes at a 45.5% rate. Zine Eddine Bedri contributed 12 points and a team-high 17 rebounds, along with 7 assists. Fairfield dished out 21 assists as a team, with Jamie Bergens also adding 7 assists.

Fairfield’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 85 points on 57% shooting from the field. The Stags allowed their opponents to hit 70% of their two-point attempts, with a 21/30 performance.

From beyond the arc, Fairfield’s opponents shot 40%, making 9 of 22 three-point attempts. The Stags also sent them to the line 17 times, where they converted 16 free throws at a 94% rate.

Will the Merrimack College Defense Show Up at Home?

Merrimack College fell to 5-8 on the season after a 73-68 road loss to Saint Mary’s on Thursday. Despite being +20.5 point underdogs, the Warriors kept the game much closer than expected, covering the spread.

Merrimack trailed 32-26 at halftime but put up 42 points in the 2nd half while allowing 41. The total points for the game reached 141, surpassing the O/U line of 128.5.

Merrimack’s offense was firing from deep in their last game, hitting 57.1% of their threes (12/21) and finishing with an effective field goal percentage of 62%. Overall, they shot 50% from the field, with a perfect 6/6 from the free-throw line.

Paulius Murauskas and Mitchell Saxen led the way with 18 points each, while Augustas Marciulionis added 16. Adam Clark dished out 8 assists, and the team totaled 17 assists on 25 made field goals.

Merrimack’s defense gave up 73 points in their last game, with their opponents shooting 45% from the field on 26 of 57 attempts. Inside the arc, the Warriors allowed 21 two-point baskets on 45 shots, a 46% shooting rate.

From three-point range, Merrimack’s opponents hit 5 of 12 attempts, shooting 41%. The Warriors also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 19 times, where they converted 16 free throws, shooting 84%. Merrimack allowed 16 offensive rebounds in the game.