Maine Black Bears vs NJIT Highlanders Picks and Predictions for Saturday March 7 2026
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The Maine Black Bears and NJIT Highlanders meet in the America East Playoffs Quarterfinal on Saturday March 7, 2026 at the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center in Newark, New Jersey. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM and the game will be televised on ESPN+. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Be sure to also check out our free college basketball picks for more predictions and betting insights on today’s games.
Maine Looking to Upset on the Road
The Maine Black Bears enter the America East tournament with an 8-23 overall record and a 6-10 mark in conference play. Maine struggled away from home throughout the season and enters this quarterfinal following mixed results down the stretch. The Black Bears recently lost to UMass Lowell, recently lost to Binghamton, recently won over Albany, recently won over New Hampshire, and recently lost to NJIT.
Offensively, Maine averages 62.7 points per game while allowing 68.7 points per game on the defensive side. The Black Bears shoot 45% from the field and average 28.0 rebounds per game along with 12.2 assists. Defensively, they also contribute 3.2 blocks and 7.8 steals per game.
One of the stronger aspects of Maine’s game has been its defensive activity. The Black Bears create turnovers with nearly eight steals per contest, which can help generate transition scoring opportunities. In a postseason setting where possessions are limited, forcing mistakes could be one of the few ways Maine keeps this game competitive.
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NJIT Hosting a Playoff Opportunity
The NJIT Highlanders come into this matchup with a 15-16 overall record and a 10-6 conference record in America East play. NJIT struggled late in the regular season but still secured the home floor for this quarterfinal matchup. The Highlanders recently lost to UMBC, recently lost to Bryant, recently lost to Vermont, recently lost to Albany, and recently won over Maine.
NJIT averages 67.7 points per game while allowing 74.1 points per contest. The Highlanders shoot 41% from the field and bring in 34.5 rebounds per game while dishing out 10.9 assists. They also average 3.3 blocks and 6.6 steals defensively.
A key factor for NJIT is its advantage on the glass. The Highlanders average over six more rebounds per game than Maine, which can lead to second-chance scoring opportunities. If NJIT can control the boards and limit turnovers, they should be able to dictate the pace on their home court.
Maine vs NJIT Pick
Maine Black Bears vs NJIT Highlanders Pick
- Pick: NJIT Highlanders - Spread
NJIT already showed it can handle Maine with a 67-58 win in their recent meeting, and the home court advantage could be even more significant in a tournament setting. The Highlanders have the edge in rebounding and size, which should allow them to control the paint and limit Maine’s offensive chances. While both teams struggled down the stretch, NJIT’s ability to dominate the boards should be enough to cover the spread.
Maine Black Bears vs NJIT Highlanders Total Pick
- Pick: Under
I expect this game to stay on the lower-scoring side. Maine averages just 62.7 points per game and often struggles to generate consistent offense. With postseason pressure and both teams coming in with recent offensive struggles, I see the pace slowing down and possessions becoming more deliberate.
Final Score Prediction: NJIT 68, Maine 59
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