Friday college basketball odds: Vermont at Stony Brook

The America East regular-season title is potentially on the line Friday night when conference-leading Stony Brook hosts second-place Vermont, with the Seawolves opening as slight favorites on WagerWeb.com. Check our current lines.

Stony Brook enters off a 73-47 win over Binghamton, its fifth win in six games. Dave Coley scored 15 points as Stony Brook swept the season series. The Seawolves (18-6, 9-2), coming off a 60-55 loss at Hartford that snapped a four-game winning streak, also defeated the Bearcats 62-37 on Jan. 9. This time, Stony Brook opened the second half with a 9-0 spurt, and eventually led by as many as 34. Anthony Jackson and Carson Puriefoy scored 12 apiece, with Puriefoy also dishing out six assists. Tommy Brenton grabbed 14 rebounds as the Seawolves dominated the glass 46-32. The Seawolves have now won 15 consecutive home conference games.

Eight different players have led Stony Brook in scoring in a game this season. The Seawolves’ top three scorers all average between 11 and 12 points per game – junior guard Coley (11.8 ppg), freshman forward Jameel Warney (11.7 ppg), and junior guard Jackson (11.4 ppg).

The Seawolves have already come a long way since making the leap to Division I in 1999. They won their first America East regular season title three years ago, and have played in the America East championship game the past two seasons — just one win away from the NCAA Tournament. But they fell short each time. Two years ago, they lost a heartbreaker, 56-54, at Boston University. Last year was even worse, losing at home to Vermont, 51-43, and having to watch the Catamounts cut down the nets in their own gym.

Vermont (16-8, 9-3) lost 64-59 to Boston University last time out. The game was close throughout, with 15 lead changes and eight ties. Neither team led by more than five until Travis Robinson followed a John Papale 3-pointer with two free throws to give Boston a 57-51 advantage with 1:14 left. Brian Voelkel registered his ninth career double-double and fourth of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds. He also added six assists for the Catamounts. Trey Blue, making his third straight start for the injured Candon Rusin (toe), and Clancy Rugg each added 12 points for UVM. It entered the BU game on a four-game win streak and had won 13 straight, and 17 of its last 18, America East games at Patrick Gymnasium

Vermont beat Stony Brook 81-73 at home on Jan. 18. Rusin scored a career-high 25 points and Rugg added 19 with 15 rebounds. Stony Brook, after trailing by as many as 18 points, got to within four, 65-61 with 2:48 left but wouldn’t get closer.

WagerWeb.com trends: Catamounts are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games. Catamounts are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Catamounts are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Seawolves are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win. Seawolves are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. America East.