The Vermont Catamounts take on the Maine Black Bears in Orono, ME. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Vermont is favored by 7.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -385. The total is set at 129.5 points.
Here’s my Vermont vs. Maine predictions and college basketball picks for February 5, 2026.
Vermont vs Maine Prediction
My Pick: Over 129.5 (Play to 132)
My Vermont vs Maine best bet is on the over. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Vermont vs. Maine Odds
| Vermont Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -110 | 129.5 -115o / -105u | -385 |
| Maine Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -110 | 129.5 -115o / -105u | +300 |
- Vermont vs Maine spread: Vermont -7.5
- Vermont vs Maine over/under: 129.5 points
- Vermont vs Maine moneyline: Vermont -385, Maine +300
Vermont vs Maine College Basketball Betting Preview
Maine Basketball
Maine has struggled through another tough season, as the Black Bears sit at 5-18 overall and just 3-5 in America East play.
Chris Markwood’s squad has played very competitive basketball in league play this season, dropping several decisions by seven or fewer points.
The defense let Maine down in its last outing, as the Black Bears surrendered 91 points against UMass Lowell while giving up 65% shooting inside the arc. Angel Montas Jr. scored 30 points and Maine just didn't have answers.
The offense has seen Logan Carey explode in recent weeks, as the junior guard has produced double-figure scoring games in his last three, highlighted by 28 points against UMass Lowell.
Keelan Steele is still working back from injury and is unlikely to give it a go on Thursday for the Black Bears but Mekhi Gray, TJ Biel and Carey have stepped up offensively and have been more aggressive.
The defense has had its ups and downs this season, as the Black Bears struggle to allow offensive rebounds and second-chance opportunities.
The Black Bears have been pressing and forcing turnovers, and I'll be interested to see how Vermont can handle that on the road.
Vermont Basketball
Vermont is starting to get a little healthier.
This group has battled through injuries to key players all season, but TJ Long returned in the Catamounts' last contest against NJIT and should feel much more in the swing of things in this duel. He's a sniper who can bury the long ball and when he gets going, he can go off for 25 points against anyone in the Amercia East.
Gus Yalden moves really well in the painted area and figures to be heavily involved in the offensive flow in this game when he's on the floor. Yalden has been having his playing time monitored recently and figures to be involved for 25-30 minutes in this one, so expect the rock in his hands a ton on the offensive end.
The defense hasn't been the exceptional lockdown America East defense that we've become accustomed to seeing with Vermont under head coach John Becker.
While the Catamounts have been aided by a slow offensive operating pace, we haven’t seen quite as many turnovers forced. Also, the Catamounts are sending their opponents to the line a bit more frequently this season.
This is still an elite defensive rebounding team by America East standards, though, and the Catamounts require a tough entry into the post.
Maine has its work cut out for itself in this one.
Vermont vs. Maine Betting Analysis
I'm looking at the over.
Vermont and Maine played last month in a game that featured two long scoring stretches for the Catamounts that I'm not sure we have to endure this time around. The final in the first meeting was 67-62, but we saw horrific shooting, including 13-of-42 combined from deep.
I think we'll see a significantly improved performance from Yalden in this matchup. The Catamounts' big man was just 3-of-11 from the field and finished with eight points in the first meeting.
The Gus Bus has accounted for 14 or more points in four of the five games played since this first meeting.
I can't understate how important it will be to get Long back in the swing of things. Long is a sharp-shooting 3-point guy with a soft touch who can bury shots from the logo. We've seen him go off for 30 points this season, and if the 3s are falling, we shouldn’t have much trouble clearing this low total.
I think we'll see a bit more pace in this game compared to the last meeting. Maine will play loose and comfortable in its gym, and having seen the press already once this season, I think Vermont will attack on the break after clearing half-court.
This is going to be a fun and competitive game, and we might get an added boost of late-game fouling. Let's strap in and grab the high side, as I expect this total to move upward.
My Pick: Over 129.5 (Play to 132)
