Central Connecticut vs. Farleigh Dickinson Prediction and Odds for NEC Tournament First Round

The 7-23 Central Connecticut State Blue Devils take a five-game losing streak into the NEC Tournament today when they take on the 4-21 Fairleigh Dickinson Knights at 7:00 PM EST.

Central Connecticut State beat the Knights 91-82 earlier this month - will the Blue Devils take the momentum from that win to notch their first victory in three weeks or will Fairleigh Dickinson get revenge as postseason play gets under way?

Here are the odds via WynnBET:

Central Connecticut State vs. Fairleigh Dickinson Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

Central Connecticut State +3 (-110)
Fairleigh Dickinson -3 (-110)

Moneyline:

Central Connecticut State: +130
Fairleigh Dickinson: -160

Total:

137.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Central Connecticut State vs Fairleigh Dickinson Prediction and Pick

There's nothing like kicking off the college basketball postseason like a classic Northeastern Conference first round matchup!

Feigned excitement aside, there's plenty of value for bettors here even if we can't name a single player on either team. Despite beating the Knights this month, the Blue Devils have only covered the spread once in their last five games and are just 1-8 in their last nine on the road.

Fairleigh Dickinson, meanwhile, has quietly covered in four of their last five as they gear up to try to make a miracle run to the NCAA tournament.

Both teams are, uh, really bad. Each ranks outside the top 315 nationally in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency, and it's never a good sign when you're a bottom-feeder in the NEC. I can't trust Fairleigh Dickinson as a favorite and I can't trust Central Connecticut State either, so I'll be looking to the total for value in this one.

In the last matchup, 173 points were scored and although the game went to overtime, I think we'll see another high-scoring matchup. The two teams combined to shoot 50 free throws as both team's poor defenses just couldn't stop fouling.

The Blue Devils prefer to play a slow game but changed the pace against Fairleigh Dickinson's 55th-ranked tempo and saw excellent results, shooting 50% from the field in their best offensive performance of the season. The over is 4-1 in the Knight's last five games and 2-1 in Central Connecticut's last three.

Even if I don't think we'll see the offensive explosion from the first matchup, neither offense should have trouble scoring against these turnstile defenses and I expect a game in the 140s. Give me the over as we get the postseason underway.

Pick: Over 137.5 (-110)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.