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Navy Midshipmen vs Holy Cross Crusaders Picks and Predictions January 3rd 2026
The Navy Midshipmen hit the road for a Patriot League clash with the Holy Cross Crusaders on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026. Tipoff is set for 2:00 PM ET at the Hart Center in Worcester, MA. Navy opens as a 5.5-point favorite, with the total sitting at a modest 136.5.
This matchup pits Navy’s structured, defense-first identity against a Holy Cross team still figuring out how to string together consistent offensive possessions. With both teams leaning under more often than not, this is a game where execution and shot quality matter more than raw pace.
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Navy vs Holy Cross Odds
These are the current betting odds. Be sure to follow the latest college basketball odds for any late changes before tip.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navy Midshipmen | -222 | -5.5 (-102) | O 136.5 (-110) |
| Holy Cross Crusaders | +185 | +5.5 (-120) | U 136.5 (-110) |
Navy Betting Form
The Navy Midshipmen are rarely flashy, but they are disciplined and efficient. They thrive in low-possession games, focusing on strong halfcourt defense, rebounding, and limiting mistakes. Navy doesn’t try to outscore opponents — they grind them down.
Their offense runs through set actions and careful execution, not quick-trigger shooting. They’re middle-of-the-pack in pace and three-point volume, but they capitalize on opponents’ defensive breakdowns and rarely beat themselves with turnovers.
Defensively, Navy holds firm at the rim, closes out well on shooters, and plays with structure. That makes it tough for weaker offensive teams like Holy Cross to generate clean looks. Navy is also excellent at avoiding unnecessary fouls — a major factor when protecting leads on the road.
As always, double-check the Navy injury report to make sure key rotational pieces are active.
Holy Cross Betting Form
The Holy Cross Crusaders are still in rebuilding mode and have struggled to find an offensive identity. They’ve shown flashes, but scoring droughts have been common — especially against well-disciplined defenses like Navy.
They rely more on individual creation than system-generated offense, and that’s a tough ask against a structured opponent. If they aren’t hitting outside shots, they tend to fall behind early and struggle to catch up. Holy Cross also ranks poorly in turnover margin, which only makes things harder against a team that values possession like Navy.
On the defensive end, they compete but lack size and depth. Second-chance points and free throw rate have been issues in several matchups this season. Playing at home might help the energy, but they’ll need to be much sharper on both ends to cover here.
Watch the Holy Cross injury report before tip, especially any status changes to the frontcourt — that’s where depth matters most in this game.
Navy vs Holy Cross Matchup Breakdown
This is a stylistic mismatch on paper. Navy’s structured, possession-focused gameplan matches up well against a Holy Cross team that doesn’t do the little things consistently.
- Pace: Slow, especially with Navy dictating tempo.
- Turnovers: Advantage Navy — Holy Cross gives it away too often.
- Defense: Navy holds teams under 40% shooting regularly. Holy Cross allows too many clean looks.
- Foul Discipline: Navy avoids whistles. Holy Cross tends to foul late in the shot clock.
Navy has covered in similar road spots before, and if they control the glass and limit transition, they’ll be in command throughout.
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Navy vs Holy Cross Predictions and Best Bets
The line at -5.5 is playable here. Navy isn’t a team that wins by 20, but they’re more than capable of building and protecting a 6–10 point margin in a low-possession game. Holy Cross simply hasn’t proven they can break down defenses like Navy’s consistently — especially if the three isn’t falling.
The total is low, but rightfully so. Both teams operate in the halfcourt, and neither is efficient enough to push this into the 140s without overtime or a foul fest late. A slight lean to the Under, but Navy -5.5 is the sharper play.
Best Bet: Navy -5.5 (-102)
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