We have the CAA against the Atlantic 10 when Towson (1-0 SU, 0-1 ATS) meets UMass (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS) from Amherst, Mass. on Thursday at 7pmET.
Towson opened their season at home on Monday, beating Albany 67-62, but failing to cover the 16. The Minutemen crushed Central Connecticut State 94-67 as a 17.5-point favorite.
Towson had a net ranking of 71 last season and with four starters back from a 25-9 team, expectations were high. The Tigers were selected as the Preseason pick to win the Colonial Athletic Association. In their opener against Albany, Towson opened up with a 10-point lead against Albany at the half and then nearly collapsed in the second half, yet won by five.
AND ONE!#GohTigers | #UnitedWeRoar pic.twitter.com/AMBY5g3RiM
— Towson Men's Basketball (@Towson_MBB) November 8, 2022
Senior forward Cam Holden, who averaged 13.5 points and 7.9 rebounds last season, shot just 1-of-7 with five turnovers, but did have eight points, five assists and four rebounds. Senior Nicolas Timberlake was held to eight points (14.4ppg LY) on 1-of-10 from the field and 0-4 from beyond the arc, but did have four steals.
The Tigers shot 43% from the field and 3-of-12 from the 3-point line. But they made up for it by going 18-of-21 from the line. Forward Sekou Sylla, who was the Division II Player of the Year, led the Tigers with 19 points and nine rebounds. Senior center Charles Thompson added 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting.
Last season, the Tigers were the first CAA team to finish top 100 in offensive and defensive efficiency since 2019.