The UMBC Retrievers are set to host the Army Black Knights in a Division 1 college basketball matchup this Friday at 6 p.m. EST in Baltimore. This matchup sees the Retrievers, currently with a record of 6-4, looking to maintain their strong home performance, having won 4 of their last 5 games at home.
The Retrievers are fourth in the America East Conference, showcasing a strong team dynamic with an average of 14.1 assists per game, prominently led by Anthony Valentine, who contributes 4.8 assists per game. Offensively, UMBC is efficient, converting 47.4% of their field goal attempts, surpassing the 44.6% defensive average allowed by Army.
The Black Knights, with a record of 4-7, have struggled on the road, posting a 1-3 record away from home. However, they boast a strong performance in close games, going 1-0 in one-possession matchups. On average, Army scores 73.5 points per game, slightly ahead of the 71.6 points allowed by UMBC, indicating a potentially competitive game ahead.
Key players to watch include Jah’likai King for the Retrievers, who leads the team with 14.8 points and contributes 4.7 rebounds per game, alongside DJ Armstrong, who averages 2.7 made three-pointers. For Army, Ryan Curry stands out, averaging 2.6 made three-pointers and 13.3 points per game, while Jacen Holloway has been consistent, averaging 10.1 points over the last ten games.
As the teams prepare to face off, fans are eager to see whether UMBC can leverage their home court advantage and assert their position in the America East Conference against a resilient Army team.