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Lakers vs Sharks Picks and Predictions – Thursday January 8, 2026
Mercyhurst heads to Brooklyn to face LIU on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET at the Steinberg Wellness Center. It’s a Northeast Conference game on NEC, and the market is clearly buying the home team after LIU’s better overall form and the Lakers’ road struggles.
LIU is laying 9.5 with a -425 moneyline, while Mercyhurst comes back +320. The total is 142.5, which is a fair number for a matchup where LIU can score efficiently but Mercyhurst tends to play a more measured game that can shorten possessions if they get the tempo they want.
Mercyhurst Lakers vs LIU Sharks Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should keep an eye on any late movement in the updated college basketball odds.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercyhurst Lakers | +320 | +9.5 (-115) | 142.5 |
| LIU Sharks | -425 | -9.5 (-105) | 142.5 |
Mercyhurst Lakers Betting Form
Mercyhurst comes in off a 74-60 win over Le Moyne, and that’s the exact type of game they need to stay inside a big number. They defended, controlled runs, and got enough scoring from their main creators to avoid the long dry spells that usually bury an underdog on the road.
From a betting standpoint, the Lakers’ cover path is pretty clear. They need to keep the turnover count manageable, avoid sending LIU to the line for easy points, and make LIU score in the half court for most of the night. Mercyhurst doesn’t need to win the offensive efficiency battle to cover +9.5, but they do need the possession battle to stay close.
For recent results and trends, see Mercyhurst Lakers stats and results.
LIU Sharks Betting Form
LIU is coming off a 74-55 win over Chicago State and has looked comfortable in the favorite role. The efficiency profile pops, and that matters because covering 9.5 is less about one hot stretch and more about avoiding the sloppy six-minute segment that lets a dog hang around.
At home, the Sharks’ offense tends to play cleaner. They can win possessions with shot-making, and they’ve been reliable enough as favorites to justify the price. The key for LIU is converting defense into points, either through steals, long rebounds that lead to quick offense, or simply getting Mercyhurst into foul trouble early so the scoring stays steady even if the threes go quiet.
For game logs and home form, check LIU Sharks schedule and stats.
Mercyhurst Lakers vs LIU Sharks Matchup Breakdown
This game is a tempo tug-of-war. Mercyhurst wants fewer possessions and a lot of half-court offense where they can keep the score within striking distance. That matters because +9.5 gives them room to survive a few LIU runs as long as they don’t give away empty possessions with live-ball turnovers.
LIU’s edge is shot quality and efficiency. If the Sharks are hitting threes and finishing at the rim without needing a lot of second chances, they can build margin quickly. That’s also where the total comes into play. If LIU gets easy points early, 142.5 looks light. If Mercyhurst slows it down and forces longer possessions, the under becomes much more realistic.
The swing categories are turnovers, offensive rebounds, and free throws. Mercyhurst covering likely means they’re not getting crushed in any of those three. LIU covering likely means they win at least two of them clearly, because that’s how favorites turn a normal shooting edge into a double-digit final.
Late fouling is the last lever. If LIU is up 6 to 10 late, Mercyhurst is forced into a decision: extend the game and risk the spread getting pushed out, or play it straight and hope the clock saves the cover. That end-game script also decides whether a close total lands under or gets dragged over.
Mercyhurst Lakers vs LIU Sharks Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Mercyhurst +9.5. The number is big enough that you can be wrong about who wins and still cash. LIU can be the better team and still end up in a 6 to 9 point win if Mercyhurst keeps turnovers down and makes LIU execute in the half court.
I’m not interested in the LIU moneyline at -425. If you like LIU, you should be thinking spread or nothing, and even then you’re betting on clean possessions for 40 minutes, not just a win.
On the total, I lean under 142.5. Mercyhurst’s pace profile points toward fewer possessions, and their best chance to stay competitive is to defend, rebound, and keep this from turning into a track meet. The over can still hit if LIU gets to the line a lot or the game turns into a foul parade late, but the cleaner matchup script points under.
Best Bet: Mercyhurst +9.5
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re playing the college slate seriously, it helps to start with a market scan and then narrow to games where pace and possession edges are clear. The college basketball picks page is a good quick filter, and the NCAAB previews hub is where you can sanity-check matchup fit before you lock anything in.
For broader context across the board, the college basketball teams hub keeps schedules and form in one place, and the ScoresAndStats blog is useful when you want betting angles that apply across the season rather than just one night.
If you want to follow proven bettors, use Best Handicappers and validate who’s actually delivering right now on the handicapper leaderboard. When you’re ready to scale volume, you can buy picks, and it’s worth comparing options through the sportsbook reviews and the handicappers sites reviews to tighten up both where you bet and who you track. For a process refresher on totals, spreads, and market movement, the Expert Betting Guide is a solid reference point.
