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James Madison vs. Delaware Prediction and Odds (Trends Suggest Blue Hens come out of the Gate Hot)

By Matt De Saro

The Delaware Blue Hens have a habit of coming out hot in games and the James Madison Dukes allow 32.9 1H PPG.
The Delaware Blue Hens have a habit of coming out hot in games and the James Madison Dukes allow 32.9 1H PPG. / William Bretzger / Delaware News Journal
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The Colonial Athletic Association continues along on Monday night when the James Madison Dukes take on the Delaware Blue Hens at the Bob Carpenter Center. These CAA rivals are within a couple of games of each other in the CAA standings and a win here would be valuable at climbing the ladder as the regular season winds down. The Dukes enter tonight coming off a big win over William & Mary 69-55 their last time out. The win Brings the Dukes to 14-10 overall and seventh in the CAA with a 5-8 conference record. The win was nice but came on the wheels of the Dukes losing three in a row and seven of their last nine. The Blue Hens sit in fourth place in the CAA with a 7-5 mark but are coming off a loss to Towson. 

Here are the odds for this conference clash, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

James Madison vs. Delaware Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

  • James Madison +5.5 (-110)
  • Delaware -5.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • James Madison +190
  • Delaware -230

Total: 148 (Over -110/Under -110)

James Madison vs. Delaware Prediction and Pick

Despite the spread set at 5.5, looking over the stats and results for these two teams highlights the fact that they are extremely similar. Both have offenses in the top 100 and defenses that are below average ranking in the 250th range. Neither team rebounds well and falls outside of the top 300. Both have above-average shooting percentages that rank in the top 50, but play at a slow pace and don't really light up the scoreboard. 

One thing that stood out to me about these two teams, however, is their first-half scoring stats. The Blue Hens are the 32nd ranked team in the nation in first-half scoring with an average of 36.6 points. The Dukes are outside the top 75 in that category and this finally presents a split that I can work with. Delaware is -3 on the first half spread and that is where my money is tonight. 

Pick: Delaware -3 (-115) First Half

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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