The Merrimack Warriors take on the La Salle Explorers in Philadelphia, PA. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Here’s my Merrimack vs. La Salle prediction and college basketball picks for November 30, 2025.
Merrimack vs La Salle Prediction
My Pick: La Salle ATS
My Merrimack vs La Salle best bet is on the Explorers to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Merrimack vs. La Salle Odds
| Merrimack Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 133 -110 / -110 | OFF |
| La Salle Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 133 -110 / -110 | OFF |
Merrimack vs La Salle College Basketball Betting Preview
Neither Merrimack nor La Salle has played particularly well this season. Both teams are expected to have down years – Merrimack lost most of its roster from last season, while La Salle is breaking in a new head coach.
Sunday's game at the Palestra will serve as an opportunity for one of these squads to get on track and build momentum for December.
The key matchup to watch in this game is how La Salle will attack the infamous Merrimack zone. The Warriors' zone ranks in the top five in the country, though it's undoubtedly the most unique.
It’s sort of a matchup, 3-2 zone, but it shifts, and unlike traditional 2-3 zones, it extends pressure on the perimeter and looks to force turnovers.
Merrimack’s hope for victory on Sunday lies in its ability to force La Salle to cough up the rock. The Explorers have been loose with the ball this year, ranking 292nd nationally in turnover rate. They severely lack competent guard play.
But if Merrimack can’t force turnovers, La Salle will have no trouble scoring. The Explorers are much bigger than the Warriors and should be able to exploit the offensive glass. Merrimack is the nation’s third-worst defensive rebounding team, and La Salle is a top-100 offensive rebounding squad.
When not grabbing boards, look for La Salle to try to get the ball to the rim. The Explorers don't take a ton of 3s and rely on the post and dribble penetration to get to the rack.
Getting inside the paint against the Merrimack zone can be surprisingly easy. If La Salle can get to the free-throw line, Merrimack’s interior is Downy soft and plenty of offensive opportunities open.
On the other end, Merrimack is “spray and pray” on offense. The Warriors shoot 3s at a top-30 rate nationally, but outside of the terrific Ernest Shelton, they’ve been extremely poor from deep.
Merrimack’s half-court attack is patient, running shooters off screens and involving plenty of hand-offs and spread ball screens. La Salle’s perimeter size could give the Merrimack ball handlers and shooters issues.
La Salle has the matchup edge and athleticism advantage on Sunday. The Explorers should be able to cover the short spread and use the glass to pound Merrimack at the rim.
My Pick: La Salle ATS
