by Chuck Sommers
Friday, Dec 31, 2021
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Venue: Chace Athletic Center, Smithfield, RI
Where to watch: N/A
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Bryant -7; O/U 148.5; Bryant -275, Sacred Heart +220
BetMGM: Bryant -6.5; O/U 147.5; Bryant -294, Sacred Heart +230
Caesars: Bryant -7; O/U 148.5
Season record
Sacred Heart: 5-9 (1-0 Northeast)
Bryant: 5-7 (1-0 Northeast)
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Sacred Heart - Bryant preview and analysis
Recent form
Sacred Heart: lost four of six; won 69-65 vs. Long Island on Wednesday
Bryant: lost four of six; won 80-76 at Central Connecticut on Wednesday
It's a battle of two teams looking to buck the trend of losing on Friday in the Northeast Conference when the Sacred Heart Pioneers face the Bryant Bulldogs.
Both teams come in with only two wins in their last six, but neither team is considered a darling to contend in the Northeast Conference.
Sacred Heart is coming off a 4-point win to Long Island that saw Sharks forward Ty Flowers go off for 36 points. Do the math and that's more than half than LIU scored combined. Sacred Heart had three players in double figures led by Aaron Clarke's 17 points, but it took the guard 4 of 12 shooting to get there (he made all seven free throws).
Tyler Thomas chipped in with 15 points on 5 of 12 shooting, and Nico Galette had 16 points in just 18 minutes to go along with eight rebounds. That win was also good for the books with Sacred Heart winning as 1-point favorites to go to 3-2 ATS in their last five.
The total has alternated in the last eight as well for the Pioneers, with the over and under going 4-4; the under was a heavy cash against Long Island by 13.5 points.
That timing seems off with Bryant's offense clicking over the last two games. Even with an 80-76 win over Central Connecticut on Wednesday, the over has cashed in two straight with the Bulldogs reaching at least 78 points in back-to-back games.
Hall Elsias led the way with 25 points and 10 rebounds, as the big man made 9 of 11 shots from the floor to pace Bryant in the win over the now 3-10 CCSU squad. Peter Kiss had 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists but the guard went just 4 of 18 shooting in the process. Adham Eleeda had 15 points, all on 3-pointers.
Bryant hasn't found consistency against the spread; the Bulldogs are 1-4-1 ATS in the last six with one of those losses coming via 65 points to the Houston Cougars. Newsflash: That's a good team and perennial national semifinalist.
It's a battle of two teams looking to buck the trend of losing on Friday in the Northeast Conference when the Sacred Heart Pioneers face the Bryant Bulldogs.
Both teams come in with only two wins in their last six, but neither team is considered a darling to contend in the Northeast Conference.
Sacred Heart is coming off a 4-point win to Long Island that saw Sharks forward Ty Flowers go off for 36 points. Do the math and that's more than half than LIU scored combined. Sacred Heart had three players in double figures led by Aaron Clarke's 17 points, but it took the guard 4 of 12 shooting to get there (he made all seven free throws).
Tyler Thomas chipped in with 15 points on 5 of 12 shooting, and Nico Galette had 16 points in just 18 minutes to go along with eight rebounds. That win was also good for the books with Sacred Heart winning as 1-point favorites to go to 3-2 ATS in their last five.
The total has alternated in the last eight as well for the Pioneers, with the over and under going 4-4; the under was a heavy cash against Long Island by 13.5 points.
That timing seems off with Bryant's offense clicking over the last two games. Even with an 80-76 win over Central Connecticut on Wednesday, the over has cashed in two straight with the Bulldogs reaching at least 78 points in back-to-back games.
Hall Elsias led the way with 25 points and 10 rebounds, as the big man made 9 of 11 shots from the floor to pace Bryant in the win over the now 3-10 CCSU squad. Peter Kiss had 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists but the guard went just 4 of 18 shooting in the process. Adham Eleeda had 15 points, all on 3-pointers.
Bryant hasn't found consistency against the spread; the Bulldogs are 1-4-1 ATS in the last six with one of those losses coming via 65 points to the Houston Cougars. Newsflash: That's a good team and perennial national semifinalist.
Prediction
Sacred Heart's inability to score has me a tad curious about this matchup. With the way Bryant has put the ball in the hoop lately, I like the Bulldogs to keep that offensive pace up and put together a rather easy cover. Bryant by 13
Betting trends
Sacred Heart is 3-13 ATS in their last 16 following an ATS win.
The under is 23-8 in Sacred Heart's last 31 following an ATS win.
Bryant is 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven following a failure to cover.
The under is 23-8 in Sacred Heart's last 31 following an ATS win.
Bryant is 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven following a failure to cover.
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
