The third-seeded Maine Black Bears will face the top-seeded Bryant Bulldogs in the championship game of the America East Tournament on Saturday.

Maine advanced with a 57-42 victory over second-seeded Vermont, while Bryant defeated fourth-seeded Albany 91-78 in this week’s semifinals. The Black Bears (20-13, 10-6 America East), who have won three consecutive games, are 8-10 on the road this season. The Bulldogs (22-11, 14-2 America East), who have won five straight, hold an 11-3 record at home in the 2024-25 season.

Tipoff from Bryant’s Chace Athletic Center in Smithfield, R.I., is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET. Bryant has triumphed in both regular-season meetings this season, including an 80-72 win in their latest encounter on March 1. In the latest betting odds, Bryant is a 6.5-point favorite against Maine, with an over/under set at 143.5 points.

Why You Should Back Bryant

Senior Rafael Pinzon returns after missing the semifinals due to illness. In 29 games (27 starts), he is averaging 18.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and one steal per game. He shoots 42.2% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc, and 88.2% from the free-throw line.

In the semifinals against Albany, he scored 22 points and grabbed three rebounds. His teammate senior guard Earl Timberlake is one of four Bulldogs averaging double digits, contributing 15.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game in 31 starts this season.

Why You Should Back Maine

Senior guard A.J. Lopez drives the Black Bears’ offense. Averaging 14.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 33 games (32 starts), he has scored in double digits in each of the last 14 games. Additionally, senior guard Quion Burns rounds out Maine’s scoring, averaging 13.1 points and 6.6 rebounds in an impressive campaign.

Conclusion

SportsLine’s model predicts a total of 145 points combined in this matchup. It suggests strong probabilities to favor one side of the spread.

For detailed predictions and betting insights, check out SportsLine!