UMBC Retrievers

No Division I team made more backing its favorites in 2025-26 than the Retrievers: 20 wins in 22 games, 6.1 units. They finished 24-8 and covered 19 of the 30 spreads posted.

The best favorite in Division I

UMBC were favored 22 times and lost twice. A unit on each of those 22 returned 6.1, the most of the 361 Division I teams that were ever favored. The two defeats were Army at home, 63-60 on 12 December at -375, and Bryant away, 79-74 on 15 January at -125.

As underdogs it was the other way: 2-6, and 3.85 units lost. Over the 30 games with a moneyline the season finished 2.25 units up.

19 of 30 against the spread

They covered 19 of 30, 63.3%; nineteen Division I teams covered more often. Away from home they covered 10 of 15 and at home 9 of 15, while winning 15 of 17 home games straight up. As favorites they covered 15 of 22; as underdogs, 4 of 8.

February and March

December was the low point: 2-4 and 2.74 units lost, with defeats to Buffalo and Army at home. The season turned at UAlbany on 31 January, a 68-65 win at -120. Before it UMBC were 12-8, 8-10 on the spread and 3.69 units down. From there they won 12 in a row, covered 11 of them and made 5.94 units, the America East tournament included: the last four, in March, all covered. The run ended in the First Four, 86-83 to Howard.

America East opponents

UMass Lowell lost three times and UMBC covered all three. New Hampshire also lost three, with two covers, and Vermont won one of three, the other two going to UMBC, the first of them at +105.

The total

Seventeen unders and 13 overs in 30. UMBC allowed 67 points a game; 28 Division I teams allowed fewer.

Questions and answers