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Jaspers vs Warriors Picks and Predictions – Sunday January 4, 2026
Manhattan heads to North Andover for a MAAC conference game against Merrimack on Sunday, January 4 at 12:00 PM ET. The venue is Lawler Arena, the broadcast is ESPN+, and the market is giving Merrimack a clear home edge with the Warriors laying 6.5.
This is the type of game where style matters more than raw record. Manhattan can score, but Merrimack is usually comfortable dragging opponents into slower, more physical possessions at home. With a spread sitting in the mid-single digits, the key is whether Manhattan can keep the game played in space, or whether Merrimack turns it into a half-court grind.
Manhattan Jaspers vs Merrimack College Warriors Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should keep monitoring updated college basketball odds leading into tip.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan Jaspers | TBD | +6.5 (-114) | 147.5 |
| Merrimack College Warriors | TBD | -6.5 (-110) | 147.5 |
Manhattan Jaspers Betting Form
Manhattan is coming off an 80-79 win over Quinnipiac, and that result matters because it shows they can win a close game late without needing everything to be perfect. Offensively, the Jaspers’ best trait is that they can put points on the board. They’re sitting around 78 points per game and they shoot free throws well enough that late-game possessions can still produce points even if the flow gets choppy.
From a betting angle, Manhattan’s cover path is about staying efficient inside the arc and getting to the line. If they’re living solely on tough jumpers in a road gym, that’s when the offense can swing into a dry stretch. But if they’re getting into the paint and converting, +6.5 becomes very playable because you don’t need to win, you just need to keep this within two possessions most of the afternoon.
For trends and recent results, check Manhattan stats and results.
Merrimack College Warriors Betting Form
Merrimack comes in off a 75-65 win over Mount St. Mary’s and the home profile is the main reason they’re favored here. Lawler Arena has been a real edge for them, and they’ve been reliable when cast as the favorite. They don’t always score in volume, but they’re comfortable winning games through pace control and repeated defensive stops.
For betting, Merrimack’s strongest angle is that they can cover by grinding. They don’t need to score 85. If they can hold Manhattan down for long stretches and keep the Jaspers from living at the line, -6.5 is very reachable. Their free throw shooting also matters in this range, because it’s how favorites cash when the game stays within 6-10 late.
For deeper context on their results and splits, check Merrimack schedule and stats.
Manhattan Jaspers vs Merrimack College Warriors Matchup Breakdown
This one is about tempo and shot quality. Manhattan would rather play with some flow and turn it into a scoring game, because that’s where their offensive edge shows up. Merrimack would rather make this possession-by-possession, where every trip is a half-court test and points are harder to come by.
If Merrimack can force Manhattan into late-clock possessions, the Jaspers’ scoring average becomes less relevant because you’re reducing the total number of shot attempts. That also ties into the total. A projected under often isn’t about defenses being elite, it’s about possessions being limited, and Merrimack’s pace profile tends to push games that way.
The spread is the interesting piece. If Manhattan is scoring efficiently early and drawing fouls, Merrimack may not be able to create separation. If Manhattan has even one long scoring drought, Merrimack’s home style can turn that into an 8-0 run without it feeling dramatic.
Manhattan Jaspers vs Merrimack College Warriors Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Manhattan +6.5. The Jaspers’ offense is the better scoring profile in this matchup, and catching 6.5 is valuable against a favorite that doesn’t always create margin through explosive offense. Even if Merrimack controls pace, Manhattan can still hang around if they’re converting at the line and avoiding turnovers.
On the total, I lean under 147.5. Merrimack’s pace and scoring profile are the drivers, and if they get the game into a half-court rhythm, it’s hard to get to the high 140s without a foul-heavy finish. The over risk is Manhattan pushing pace through makes and forcing Merrimack to trade possessions, but Merrimack’s preferred script is the opposite.
Best Bet: Manhattan Jaspers +6.5 (-114)
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re building a full MAAC card, the college basketball picks page is the fastest way to compare spreads and totals across the slate. For matchup-level breakdowns, the NCAAB previews hub helps connect market numbers to game scripts.
If you follow expert performance, check the best handicappers and validate form on the handicappers leaderboard. If you want premium plays, explore buy picks, and for quick team navigation, use the NCAAB teams hub. For broader betting angles and ongoing coverage, the ScoresAndStats blog is a useful complement, and if you’re comparing books or evaluating pick sources, both sportsbook reviews and handicappers sites reviews help with due diligence.
