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Quinnipiac Bobcats vs Merrimack College Warriors Picks and Predictions – January 17, 2026
Saturday’s Northeast Conference battle brings the Quinnipiac Bobcats to Lawler Arena to face off against the Merrimack College Warriors. Set for January 17, 2026, this tight matchup could have long-term seeding implications as both programs sit in the thick of the NEC standings.
Quinnipiac enters as a slight road favorite at -1.5 (-120), while Merrimack is +1.5 (-107) on the spread. On the moneyline, the Bobcats are -138 and the Warriors are a live underdog at +110. The total sits at 142.5 in what could be a pace-driven contest.
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Quinnipiac Bobcats vs Merrimack College Warriors Odds
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| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac | -138 | -1.5 (-120) | O 142.5 |
| Merrimack College | +110 | +1.5 (-107) | U 142.5 |
Quinnipiac Bobcats Betting Form
Quinnipiac has won three of its last four and comes in with one of the more balanced rosters in the NEC. The Bobcats play at a moderate pace and rank near the top of the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio. They attack the rim and generate free-throw opportunities but can go cold from outside.
Defensively, they’re aggressive on the perimeter and force turnovers, though they do occasionally over-extend and give up offensive rebounds. Their depth and foul trouble have also been inconsistent — something to monitor on the road.
Dive into full stats on the Quinnipiac Bobcats results and schedule
Check the Quinnipiac injury report for any roster updates
Merrimack College Warriors Betting Form
Merrimack has been strong at home all season. Their defense is built around zone principles and shot disruption, holding NEC opponents under 67 PPG in conference play. They do a great job of limiting clean looks and forcing long, inefficient possessions.
The Warriors struggle offensively at times — especially in late-clock execution — but they capitalize on opponent turnovers and get a boost from home-court energy. When they’re hitting just league-average from deep, they become a tough out, particularly in low-possession games.
You can follow the Merrimack College Warriors stats and schedule
Get player status info from the Merrimack injury report
Quinnipiac vs Merrimack Matchup Breakdown
This one comes down to who controls tempo and glass. Quinnipiac will try to push pace selectively, creating offense through ball movement and dribble penetration. Merrimack will slow things down, force long possessions, and rely on defense to generate offense.
The Bobcats have the edge in athleticism and transition play, while Merrimack has the better defensive metrics and home-court comfort. The turnover battle will be huge — whichever team protects the ball better likely covers.
In a game with a short spread and projected low scoring margin, foul shooting and bench production could swing the outcome late.
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Quinnipiac vs Merrimack Predictions and Best Bets
This game profiles as a toss-up — but Quinnipiac has the more complete offensive weapons and the better guard play. That matters in close road games. Merrimack’s defense is legit, but they’ll need to score consistently, and that’s been a concern in late-game scenarios.
With such a short spread, moneyline bettors may lean toward value on the dog, but from a side perspective, Quinnipiac’s ability to win the turnover battle and convert in the open court gives them the edge.
The total at 142.5 feels a bit high for a game that could slow down in the second half. Unders are always in play when Merrimack controls tempo.
Best Bet: Quinnipiac -1.5 (-120)
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