Monmouth Hawks vs Quinnipiac Bobcats Prediction, Odds, Best Bets - Week 2

Monmouth is still chasing its first win after two road losses to open the season. Quinnipiac returns to Hamden off a road win at Vermont with its bench heating up.

The Matchup

Monmouth visits Quinnipiac on Thursday night at M&T Bank Arena in Hamden, with Quinnipiac a 1.5-point favorite, a total of 146.5, on ESPN+. One team has already won a close road game. The other has not won at all.

Quinnipiac is 2-1 this season, scoring 68.0 points a game and allowing 76.0, a scoring line dragged down by a 96-59 loss at Michigan State to open the year. The Bobcats answered with a 66-56 home win over Bryant and a 79-76 win at Vermont.

Monmouth is 0-2, scoring 64.5 and allowing 81.0, after losses at St. John's (78-63) and at Rhode Island (84-66). Last season both programs were respectable: Quinnipiac finished 19-13, scoring 75.3 and allowing 72.0, and Monmouth finished 19-15, scoring 72.7 and allowing 70.9. Monmouth's problem is that this season's version has not defended or scored at that level yet, and neither team carries an injury designation into Thursday.

Key Factors

Quinnipiac found a spark at Vermont in Tai Turnage, who scored 17 points off the bench on 6-of-9 shooting, made all 5 of his three-pointers, and handed out 6 assists without a turnover. Keith McKnight added 14 points and 7 rebounds, and Lucas Sekasi scored 13, so the Bobcats won a road game with balance instead of one star dragging them there. That kind of shotmaking off the bench changes a close game late.

Monmouth's best player so far is Stefanos Spartalis, who had 13 points and 13 rebounds at Rhode Island. He is a real problem on the glass, and if he controls the boards again, Monmouth can slow this game down and keep it ugly. The Hawks got 11 points from Madison Durr in that game and not much else, which is the recurring issue: two road games, 64.5 points a game, and no second scorer defenses have to respect.

The trip matters too. This is Monmouth's third straight road game to open the season, while Quinnipiac plays at home carrying the confidence of a road win. If Turnage shoots anywhere near his Vermont form and McKnight holds his own against Spartalis inside, the Bobcats have more ways to score in a one-possession game.

Every pick is published with its line before the game. Odds via consensus sportsbooks at time of writing and move constantly. Must be 21+. If gambling is a problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.