St Francis PA vs Central Connecticut Predictions, Picks & Betting Lines for Northeast Conference Title Game

• Central Connecticut is a hefty 9.5-point favorite over St Francis (PA) in the Northeast Conference title game
• Central Connecticut enters the final riding the longest win streak in the nation at 14 games
• See the St Francis vs Central Connecticut odds, along with my predictions and picks, below

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The red-hot Central Connecticut Blue Devils (25-6, 14-2 NEC) ride the nation’s longest winning streak into the final of the Northeast Conference Tournament final, taking on the St Francis (PA) Red Flash (15-17, 8-8 NEC). If the Blue Devils can make it to 15 straight wins, they’ll punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for a fifth time, while St Francis will be looking for its second ever conference tourney crown. Tuesday’s college basketball odds have CCSU as dominant 9.5-point home favorites. Tip-off is scheduled for 7pm ET at the Detrick Gymnasium in New Britain, CT. ESPN2/ESPN+ are providing the broadcast coverage.

St Francis (PA) vs Central Connecticut Prediction for Northeast Title Game

It’s hard to go against the Blue Devils, as they’ve been just so good this season. CCSU finished the regular season at 25-6, and atop the Northeast with a 14-2 record. They haven’t lost since a 54-52 decision at the hands of Long Island University on January 12.

Since then, they’ve ripped off 14 straight wins, with just two inside a double-digit margin. So Saturday’s semifinal might have been the best things that happened to them.

Devin Haid = CLUTCH.

Whatever you want to call him, he's balled out today for @CCSU_MBB.#NEC25 x #NECMBB

ESPN+: https://t.co/n00eLR7QC3 pic.twitter.com/uV7XQNpEMe

— Northeast Conference (@nechoops) March 8, 2025

After opening the NEC with a crushing win over LeMoyne, the Blue Devils were taken to overtime by Farleigh Dickinson, escaping with a 76-72 win.

Gutting out a close win sets them up against a Red Flash team that appears built to create chaos in these one-and-done tournaments.

St Francis PA vs Central Connecticut: Notable NEC Rankings

St Francis finished the year at 15-17, but they are red-hot rolling into the final, ripping off five straight wins — and none of them have been close to a soft landing.

The Red Flash went to overtime in three straight games, knocking off Le Moyne, Fairleigh Dickinson and Chicago State to enter the NEC Tournament.

SFPA opened the tourney with a close 58-55 win over Wagner, and squeezed out another tight 71-68 win over Long Island U, sending the third-seed to an unlikely tournament final.

JUAN TIES IT😱#BELIEVE🔴⚡️🏀 pic.twitter.com/qwieehLVRr

— Saint Francis Men’s Basketball (@RedFlashMBB) March 8, 2025

Despite the variation in records, these teams do matchup well. CCSU is third in the NEC in scoring at 73.2 points per game, but just behind them in fourth are the Red Flash, putting up 71.9 points per contest. The Blue Devils also rank Top 2 in scoring defense, allowing just 63.4 points, while SFU lags behind allowing 72.9 points, which ranks seventh.

Perhaps the biggest reason to back Goliath over David? CCSU has obliterated the Red Flash in two regular season meetings: a 74-59 win on January 3, and an 83-67 demolition on February 15.

I accept it’s always hard to beat a team three times in a college basketball season, but the Blue Devils caught their scare a game early, and should be focused on Tuesday.

St Francis (PA) vs Central Connecticut Pick

• Over 134.5 points (-112) at DraftKings

Despite picking Central Connecticut to advance to the big dance, and owning a 20-9-0 record against the spread this season, I find those 9.5 points concerning, especially against a team like SFU, which has played spirited ball down the home stretch and has been able to stay connected.

Instead, I am targeting the total, a 134.5 line that CCSU has cruised by in three of the last four games, including both times in the NEC Tournament.

SFU’s recent run has crushed the over frequently — getting to overtime will do that to you — and they’ve hit the over in four of their last five.

St Francis (PA) vs Central Connecticut Betting Lines

Odds as of March 11 at DraftKings. See SBD’s DraftKings review for the latest sign-up promos.

The Red Flash have the second-best Over record in the NEC when coming off a win, going 10-4-0. Central Connecticut is right there with them, with a 14-8-0 Over mark following a victory.

There won’t be a major upset watch on Tuesday night, but there will be enough points to get you a win.