Following a 78-62 win over Maine at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena in Baltimore, MD, giving them a 15-8 (8-2) record and extending their win streak to three, the UMBC men’s basketball season is entering the season’s final stretch.
The Retrievers have six games remaining in the season which consist of three away games and three home games in conference. The home games are consecutive and against Vermont on February 19th, Albany on February 21st, and Bryant on February 26th. The Retrievers are currently second in the America East and one game behind NJIT who have a 9-2 conference record and are on a five-game winning streak. Coincidentally enough, the Retrievers end the season at NJIT in a potential conference-deciding game.
Heading into their road game at New Hampshire on February 14th, UMBC ranks well in conference at various team statistics. Through 23 games, they are second in points per game (PPG) with 74.7, first in margin of victory with 5.6, and second in defense with 69.1 PPG. Junior guard Jah’Likai King is 8th in PPG with 13.5 on 40.1 FG% and 26.7 3PT%, forward Josh Odunowo is 11th in rebounds with 5.1 RPG, and junior guard Ace Valentine is third in assists with 4 APG with an assist/turnover ratio of 3.1.
As briefly mentioned earlier, the Retrievers’ remaining opponents are the aforementioned Vermont, Albany, Bryant, NJIT, and New Hampshire as well as Massachusetts Lowell. As of February 13th, those teams rank 3rd, 6th, 7th, 1st, 5th, and 4th in the America East. With the Retrievers final game of the season being a road game at NJIT, I believe it is important to examine the Highlanders.
NJIT, the conference leader with a 14-12 (9-2) record, are currently on a five-game win streak and led offensively by junior guard Sebastian Robinson who is averaging 13.9 ppg on 44.4 FG% and 23.7 3PT%. However, the Highlanders also have freshman guard David Bolden, who is averaging 11.8 PPG on 33.3 FG% and 32.1 3PT%, and sophomore guard Ari Fulton, who is averaging 11.8 PPG on 42.9 FG% and 30.3 FG%. Fulton also has a presence on the boards as he leads the Highlanders with 6.5 RBG with forward Melvyn Ebonkoli right behind him with 5.7.
When comparing the Retrievers and Highlanders from a pure statistical perspective, the Retrievers rank better offensively averaging 5.5 more PPG, margin of victory with 10.5, and defensively surrendering 5 PPG less. It is important to note NJIT has played three more games than UMBC which affects their averages. One statistic NJIT has in their favor is that they are currently 7-3 at home, and are on a three-game home winning streak, while UMBC is 6-6 on the road.
There is no telling what is in store for the Retrievers as they enter the final stretch of their season. But, if one thing is for sure, it is that it is shaping up to be entertaining nonetheless.
Ozair Hussain is a senior information systems major and opinions editor for The Retriever.
Contact Ozair at ohussai1@umbc.edu
