LIU vs. Cent. Conn. St. betting: College basketball preview for Jan. 2

Data Skrive
Data Skrive

The Long Island Sharks (6-7, 0-0 NEC) are favored (-6.5) to end a three-game losing streak when they host the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (6-5, 0-0 NEC) at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, January 2, 2026 at Steinberg Wellness Center. The contest airs on NEC Front Row. The point total is set at 145.5 for the matchup.

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LIU Cover -6.5 vs Cent. Conn. St. -105

Bet $20, Payout $39.05

LIU vs. Cent. Conn. St. betting lines

  • LIU moneyline odds to win: -257
  • Cent. Conn. St. moneyline odds to win: +207
  • Spread: LIU (-6.5)
  • Total: 145.5

LIU statistics, trends and more

As the home team

  • When playing at home last season, LIU owned a better record against the spread (9-4-0) compared to its ATS record in road games (9-7-0).
  • In terms of over/unders, the Sharks hit the over less often when playing at home last season, as they went over the total three times in 13 opportunities (23.1%). In away games, they hit the over eight times in 16 opportunities (50%).
  • LIU won a higher percentage of its matchups as a moneyline favorite at home last year, going 8-2 (.800). In road games as a moneyline favorite, it had a record of 2-2 (.500).

Last season stats

  • The Sharks were 325th in the nation in points scored (67.7 per game) and 24th-best in points allowed (65.3) last season.
  • Last season, LIU was 162nd in the country in rebounds (32.3 per game) and 36th in rebounds conceded (28.5).
  • Last season the Sharks were ranked 300th in college basketball in assists with 11.8 per game.

LIU betting records this season

  • ATS Record: 8-5-0 (Home: 3-0-0; Away: 5-5-0)
  • O-U-P: 7-6-0 (Home: 2-1-0; Away: 5-5-0)
  • Record When Moneyline Favorite: 4-0 (Home: 2-0; Away: 2-0)
  • Record When Moneyline Underdog: 2-7 (Home: 0-1; Away: 2-6)
Field Goal % Opp. Field Goal % Rebounds Opp. Rebounds Assists Turnovers
47.8 (78th in nation) 47.3 (324th) 31.5 (257th) 32.4 (250th) 13.6 (235th) 14.2 (345th)

Need to know more about sports betting before you put down a wager on LIU vs. Cent. Conn. St.? Here’s everything you need to know about how to bet.

Cent. Conn. St. statistics, trends and more

As the away team

  • Cent. Conn. St.’s winning percentage against the spread at home is .000 (0-2-0). On the road, it is .714 (5-2-0).
  • In terms of the over/under, Blue Devils games have finished over two of two times at home (100%), and three of seven on the road (42.9%).

Last season stats

  • The Blue Devils scored 72.3 points per game last year (221st-ranked in college basketball), but they really played well on defense, surrendering just 62.9 points per contest (eighth-best).
  • Cent. Conn. St. pulled down 32.8 boards per game (135th-ranked in college basketball). It ceded 29.0 rebounds per contest (53rd-ranked).
  • The Blue Devils dished out 14.3 dimes per game, which ranked them 119th in the country.

Cent. Conn. St. betting records this season

  • ATS Record: 5-4-0 (Home: 0-2-0; Away: 5-2-0)
  • ATS Record When Underdog by 6.5+: 4-1-0 (As Favorite: 1-2-0; As Underdog: 4-2-0)
  • O-U-P: 5-4-0 (Home: 2-0-0; Away: 3-4-0)
  • Record When Moneyline Favorite: 2-1 (Home: 1-1; Away: 1-0)
  • Record When Moneyline Underdog: 2-4 (Home: 0-0; Away: 2-4)
Field Goal % Opp. Field Goal % Rebounds Opp. Rebounds Assists Turnovers
47.7 (81st in nation) 42.0 (107th) 35.5 (81st) 31.2 (190th) 16.4 (88th) 9.8 (41st)
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