UNC Wilmington vs Hofstra Odds and Picks (Feb. 7)

Odds as of February 6th, 2022 at FanDuel.

Hofstra is a 7.5-point favorite over the Seahawks, while the total is 145. The -320 moneyline price for the Pride amounts to a 76.2% implied win probability, while UNC Wilmington’s +255 odds to win is equal to 28.2% implied probability. New Yorkers note that, while NY online betting is now legal, state law prohibits betting on New York college teams. So this Hofstra game will be off the board.

Takayo Siddle’s team responded to a 78-65 loss to Elon in a major way against the Tribe. Senior guard Mike Okauru tied his career high with 30 points (which included going 8-of-10 from distance) as the Seahawks put up season bests in points (92), assists (20) and 3-pointers made (17).

Meantime, Speedy Claxton saw his leading scorer, Aaron Estrada, pour in a career-high 35 against the Dukes in a seven-point overtime win. The Pride’s second-leading scorer, Zach Cooks, chipped in 16.

Hofstra Owns UNC Wilmington in Recent H2H Results

The Pride has knocked off the Seahawks in four of the last five meetings, with that lone UNCW victory coming in the last matchup — a 78-72 win on Jan. 29 in North Carolina. The Seahawks rallied from a 15-point first-half deficit behind five players scoring in double figures, led by Okauru’s game-high 19. Siddle’s group held Hofstra to just 35.7%.

Now, Okauru and Co. will try to harness the same energy they displayed against William & Mary — the Hawks shot 50% from the field against the Tribe — Monday as the Pride try to avenge that loss from a week-and-a-half ago.

This team has defied the odds all season as it was predicted to finish near the bottom of the league. But, UNCW has a two-game lead atop the CAA standings entering Hempstead thank to the inspired play of a trio of guards averaging in double-figures. Jaylen Sims leads the team in scoring at 14.3 points per game, followed by Okauru’s 12.7 points per outing with Shykeim Phillips putting up 11.6 a game.

UNCW is strong fundamentally, owning the 26th-best offensive turnover percentage and 6th-best offensive steal percentage. Those are characteristics of a team that can win anywhere.

Hofstra is 0-3 ATS in Last Three

The Pride took Houston to overtime (an 83-75 loss) in the season opener and nearly beat Maryland (a 69-67 defeat) in the first two weeks of the 2021-22 campaign — with both games on the road. But those big ATS wins early on are a distant memory after dropping three straight ATS — including Saturday’s decision against JMU in OT.

Of course, a huge bright spot for Claxton’s club this season has been the play of Estrada. In addition to dropping 35 on the Dukes this weekend, the CAA’s leading scoring added six rebounds and three assists. And he’s not the Pride’s only offensive weapon. Cooks (15.0) ppg), Jalen Ray (13.8 ppg) and Darlinstone Dubar (12.1 ppg) are also putting up double-digit scoring.

As you might imagine, Claxton has built this team around offense. A member of the 2003 NBA champion Spurs, Claxton’s club is in the top-50 in six offensive categories: offensive effective field goal percentage (50th), offensive turnover percentage (21st), offensive 2-point field-goal percentage (9th), offensive free throw percentage (4th), offensive steal percentage (24th) and offensive non-steal turnover percentage (46th)

UNC Wilmington vs Hofstra Prediction

The Seahawks are 7-4 in true road games and 5-1 in conference road outings — and have led a charmed life this season.

While the Pride have the league’s leading scorer on their side — along with revenge on their mind — the spread is simply too big in this spot.

Pick: UNC Wilmington +7.5 (-110)