Maine vs Bryant: America East Championship Showdown - Battle for March Madness Berth
The Maine Black Bears (20-13, 10-6) face the Bryant Bulldogs (22-11, 14-2) in the America East Championship Game on Saturday, March 15, with the winner securing their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. Tipoff is set for 11 am ET at Bryant University.
Player dunks basketball in game
Bryant enters as 6.5-point favorites, with the total set at 143.5. The Bulldogs swept Maine in the regular season, winning 81-55 at home and 80-72 on the road.
Key factors favoring Bryant:
- 1-seeds are 28-6 all-time in America East title games
- Home teams are 56-12 since 2015 in tournament games
- Ranks 7th nationally in adjusted tempo
- League's top offensive rebounding team
- #1 in conference adjusted defensive efficiency
Maine's path to victory:
- First 20-win season since 2004
- Strong defense allowing just 65.7 points per game
- Coming off road upset over Vermont
- Seeking program's first NCAA Tournament appearance
The Pick: Bryant -6.5 (-108)
The Bulldogs' home court advantage, superior rebounding, and fast-paced offense should prove too much for Maine. Bryant's transition game and second-chance opportunities will likely create separation early. While Maine's Cinderella run is compelling, expect Bryant to capture their first America East title and return to March Madness for the first time since 2022.
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