Thursday, the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks (14-15, 6-11 America East) visit the Hartford Hawks (overall 11-18, 9-8) at Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion in West Hartford, Conn., with a Thursday tip-off scheduled for 6 pm. This game of Hartford vs UMass-Lowell will be the last of the regular season before the conference tournament. 

Even though the NCAA basketball point spreads and NCAA basketball spreads are currently unavailable for this Hartford vs UMass-Lowell matchup, there’s still a lot we need to examine ahead of this Thursday night America East conference matchup.

Let’s talk about the River Hawks first. Despite an overall 14-15 record, the River Hawks have made a valiant effort this season. Tuesday, however, they were badly outplayed in a 64-48 loss to the New Hampshire Wildcats.

Forward Allin Blunt is averaging a team-leading 10.9 points per game, while Ayinde Hikim (10.5 ppg) and Max Brooks (10 ppg) also average in double figures. Brooks also leads the team, averaging six rebounds per game, his 64 blocks is best in the America East. 

The Hawks are destined for either a three- or four-seed in the conference tourney, getting a home date either way. Coming off consecutive wins (New Jersey Institute of Technology, U. of Albany), Hartford has won six of its last eight overall.

David Shriver’s 23 points (7-for-14 3-pt FG) led the way against NJIT before a similar stat line (23 pts, seven 3-pt FG) against the Great Danes of Albany.