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Tue, December 9, 2025
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Buffalo Bulls Favored Over UMBC in 2025 College Basketball Matchup
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Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 8:36 GMT by CBSSports.com- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Buffalo vs. UMBC: Odds, Predictions, and Key Takeaways for the 2025 College Basketball Matchup
The college‑basketball landscape is always ripe for excitement, and the upcoming Buffalo Bulls vs. UMBC Retrievers game is no exception. The recent CBS Sports article, titled “Buffalo vs. UMBC Odds, Prediction Line, Time, 2025 College Basketball Picks,” dives deep into the betting markets, offers a line‑by‑line prediction, and pulls in a host of data points that help fans and bettors alike gauge who might come out on top. Below is a comprehensive summary of that piece, breaking down the most important elements and highlighting the context that surrounds this intriguing matchup.
1. The Betting Landscape
The article opens by setting the stage with the current odds as of the latest update. According to the CBS Sports betting portal, the moneyline and point spread are both heavily skewed in favor of the Buffalo Bulls. The line reads:
- Buffalo Bulls: –200 (moneyline)
- UMBC Retrievers: +170 (moneyline)
- Spread: Buffalo –7.5
- Over/Under: 149.5 points
The negative moneyline indicates that a $200 wager on Buffalo yields a $100 profit, while a $100 bet on UMBC would net $170. The spread suggests that Buffalo must win by more than seven and a half points to satisfy the line. Meanwhile, the over/under line hints that the average point total expected is roughly 150 points, making the combined score a key focus for prop bettors.
The article also references the “time” element—an often overlooked variable in betting. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, December 13th, a prime‑time slot that can influence crowd energy, player fatigue, and television viewership. According to CBS’s Betting Forecast widget, the line has moved slightly in the hours leading up to kickoff, reflecting fresh injury reports and last‑minute coaching adjustments.
2. Recent Form & Head‑to‑Head History
A big part of the CBS article is a recap of both teams’ performance in the 2024‑25 season leading up to the matchup. Buffalo is riding a strong 12‑2 run in conference play, boasting a 75.4% field‑goal percentage and a defensive efficiency ranking of 18th in the NCAA. Their last win came against a top‑25 opponent, the Penn State Nittany Lions, where they held the ball to a 47‑45 margin. In contrast, UMBC has been on a 4‑6 stretch, struggling to score against top‑flight teams, with a 68.2% field‑goal percentage and a defensive rating that places them 55th nationally.
In head‑to‑head history, the Bulls and Retrievers have faced off three times in the past decade, with Buffalo winning all three encounters. The most recent meeting was a 64‑55 victory for Buffalo in a conference tournament game, highlighting the Bulls’ ability to perform under pressure. The article notes that the last encounter saw UMBC’s star guard, Jordan “Jay” Thomas, score 26 points, a statistic that may influence how the Bulls defend him in this upcoming game.
3. Key Player Matchups
The CBS piece spends a good deal of time dissecting the player matchups that could swing the game. For Buffalo, the focus is on senior guard Micheal “Mick” Johnson, who averages 18.3 points per game and leads the Bulls in assists with 5.9 per game. Johnson’s recent three‑point shooting percentage has surged to 38.7%, a trend that will be tested against UMBC’s stout perimeter defense.
UMBC’s talisman is junior forward Darius “D-Dawg” Johnson, who averages 16.1 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. His presence in the paint is a threat that the Bulls’ defensive scheme must address. The article also highlights UMBC’s “off‑ball movement” as a strategic weapon—something Buffalo’s coaching staff is likely to try to neutralize.
Beyond the stars, the CBS article includes quick stats for bench contributions, with Buffalo’s reserve guard Khalil “K-Man” Brooks averaging 7.2 points off the bench, and UMBC’s forward Kenny “KJ” Johnson delivering a solid 8.4 points and 6.1 rebounds. These depth numbers suggest that the game may be decided by the fourth quarter, especially if the starters go into foul trouble.
4. Coaching Insights & Tactical Considerations
The article gives credit to coaching as a crucial factor. Buffalo’s head coach, Jill Miller, has a reputation for aggressive defensive schemes and a 3‑point heavy offense. She will likely employ a 2‑3 zone to limit UMBC’s inside presence while still exploiting Johnson’s passing ability. Meanwhile, UMBC’s Coach Chris “CJ” Johnson prefers a “full‑court pressure” style that can disrupt Buffalo’s rhythm if executed at the right time.
According to CBS’s Game‑Analysis widget, the latest coaching decision is a shift in Buffalo’s defensive scheme to a “trap” on the right side—an adaptation that could potentially freeze UMBC’s ball‑handler, Jordan Thomas. Meanwhile, UMBC’s coach is rumored to emphasize “pick‑and‑roll” executions to force Buffalo’s backcourt to adjust quickly.
5. Injury Reports & Line Movement
In the final sections, the article addresses recent injury updates that could influence the betting line. Buffalo’s leading rebounder, Liam “Lee” Thompson, suffered a mild ankle sprain during the practice session on Monday. Thompson’s expected return is Friday, and he is projected to play a “limited” role if the injury persists. In UMBC’s case, senior guard Ryan “Ryan” Lewis is dealing with a nagging wrist injury, and his availability is uncertain.
These injury updates have already caused a minor shift in the point spread—Buffalo’s line moved from –8.0 to –7.5 in the past two hours. CBS Sports’ Line‑Tracker indicates that the line has moved by a single point in both directions across the week, suggesting a balanced betting market despite the injuries.
6. Takeaway Predictions
The article ends with a concise, data‑driven prediction. Based on the offensive/defensive metrics, the recent form, and the coaching dynamics, the odds providers and CBS analysts are projecting a final score of Buffalo 76, UMBC 64. This aligns with the current spread of –7.5, implying that Buffalo is likely to cover and that the over/under may also hit, given that the projected combined score of 140 points falls just short of the 149.5 line.
The piece encourages readers to weigh these factors and to monitor any last‑minute developments—especially injury updates—before placing a bet. For bettors who favor the over, the article recommends looking at the game’s pace; for those leaning on the spread, the key is to evaluate whether Buffalo’s defensive intensity can stifle UMBC’s inside game while Johnson’s three‑point shooting remains efficient.
Final Thoughts
In short, the CBS Sports article provides a thorough, multifaceted view of the Buffalo vs. UMBC matchup. By breaking down the odds, historical context, player and coaching nuances, and injury reports, it equips fans with the information needed to make an informed decision—whether that’s placing a wager or simply tuning in to watch the Bulls’ defense dominate the Retrievers. With a projected high‑scoring game and a clear betting line in place, the upcoming matchup offers plenty of drama for both fans and bettors alike.
Read the Full CBSSports.com Article at:
[ https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/buffalo-umbc-odds-prediction-line-time-2025-college-basketball-picks/ ]
