Minutemen Edge Broncos in Close Contest
Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · University Arena (MI)
Massachusetts Minutemen 85, Western Michigan Broncos 82, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Massachusetts Minutemen vs Western Michigan Broncos?
Massachusetts Minutemen beat Western Michigan Broncos 85-82 at University Arena (MI) on January 13, 2026.
Who was favored in Massachusetts Minutemen vs Western Michigan Broncos?
Massachusetts Minutemen were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -238 (about 70% implied). The favorite won.
In a thrilling matchup at the University Arena, the Massachusetts Minutemen narrowly defeated the Western Michigan Broncos with a final score of 85-82. This game showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with the Minutemen improving their record to 12-7 while the Broncos fell to 7-11. The contest was marked by a series of tense moments in the closing minutes, where free throws played a crucial role in the outcome.
The Minutemen came into this game with a recent record of 6-4 over their last ten games, averaging 82.3 points scored while allowing 74.7 points. Their last outing ended in a win against the Ball State Cardinals, where they secured a 79-71 victory. In contrast, the Broncos had a record of 5-5 in their last ten games, averaging 75.9 points scored and 76.0 points allowed. They were coming off a strong performance against the Eastern Michigan Eagles, winning 79-62.
At home, the Broncos had a record of 4-1, while their away record stood at 1-4. The Minutemen's performance was more balanced, with a home record of 4-2 and an away record of 2-2. This fixture was particularly interesting as it pitted a struggling home team against a visiting squad that had shown resilience in recent games.
In terms of previous meetings, this matchup was significant as both teams aimed to establish dominance in their respective conferences. The injury report was not detailed in the provided facts, but it is often a crucial factor in games like these, influencing team performance and strategy.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Minutemen favored by 5.5 points, with a total set at 157.5. The odds reflected the Minutemen's recent form and their ability to score effectively, while the Broncos were seen as underdogs with a moneyline of 195.0 compared to the Minutemen's -238.
Conditions during the game were conducive to an exciting atmosphere, with both teams displaying high energy and skill. Viewers were treated to a display of athleticism and strategic play, particularly in the second half, where the scoring plays intensified. Key moments included free throws by Leonardo Bettiol and K'Jei Parker, which helped the Minutemen maintain their lead in the final minutes.
As the game progressed, the tension mounted, with the Broncos fighting hard to close the gap. A driving layup by Brady Swartz brought the score to 82-80, but the Minutemen responded with crucial free throws to secure their victory. The final moments were a testament to the competitive nature of college basketball, with both teams showcasing their determination to win.
Overall, this game highlighted the Minutemen's ability to perform under pressure and the Broncos' struggle to capitalize on home court advantage. The close scoreline reflects the intensity of the matchup, making it a noteworthy fixture in the NCAAB schedule.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MASS -5.5 | 157.5 o -112 / u -108 | Massachusetts Minutemen -238 · Western Michigan Broncos +195 |
Leaders
- PointsJustice Williams29Western Michigan Broncos
- AssistsSharod Barnes4Western Michigan Broncos
- ReboundsDeclan Peterson6Western Michigan Broncos
- PointsMarcus Banks Jr.22Massachusetts Minutemen
- AssistsDanny Carbuccia9Massachusetts Minutemen
- ReboundsLeonardo Bettiol8Massachusetts Minutemen
Recent form
Western Michigan Broncos
Last 10: 5-5Streak W175.9 scored · 76 allowed per game4-1 at home
- W79-62vs Eastern Michigan EaglesJan 10
- L76-87at Miami (OH) RedHawksJan 7
- L79-84at Toledo RocketsDec 30
- W94-57vs Defiance Yellow JacketsDec 22
- L71-88vs Buffalo BullsDec 20
- L51-91at Iowa HawkeyesDec 14
- W83-73at SIU Edwardsville CougarsDec 6
- W88-74vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesDec 4
- L55-84at Valparaiso BeaconsNov 29
- W83-60vs Mount St. Mary's MountaineersNov 23
Massachusetts Minutemen
Last 10: 6-4Streak W182.3 scored · 74.7 allowed per game2-2 away
- W79-71vs Ball State CardinalsJan 10
- L83-86at Ohio BobcatsJan 6
- L100-101vs Bowling Green FalconsJan 3
- L74-80at Eastern Michigan EaglesDec 31
- W91-40vs UMass Boston BeaconsDec 22
- L59-69vs Kent State Golden FlashesDec 20
- W103-95at Florida State SeminolesDec 13
- W76-74at Boston College EaglesDec 11
- W80-60vs UMass Lowell River HawksDec 6
- W78-71vs Harvard CrimsonDec 4
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (OH) | 32-2 | - | 18-0 |
| Akron | 29-6 | 1 | 17-1 |
| Kent State | 24-10 | 4 | 14-4 |
| Toledo | 19-15 | 7 | 11-7 |
| Bowling Green | 18-14 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Ohio | 15-17 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Buffalo | 17-15 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Massachusetts | 17-16 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Ball State | 12-19 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Central Michigan | 10-21 | 12 | 6-12 |
| Western Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Eastern Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Northern Illinois | 9-21 | 10 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Massachusetts Minutemen | Western Michigan Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 29-61 | 29-61 |
| Field goal % | 48 | 48 |
| Three-pointers | 11-29 | 12-31 |
| Three-point % | 38 | 39 |
| Free throws | 16-20 | 12-16 |
| Free throw % | 80 | 75 |
| Rebounds | 34 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 22 | 23 |
| Assists | 17 | 18 |
| Steals | 8 | 6 |
| Blocks | 3 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 16 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 7 | 18 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 24 |
| Fouls | 16 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 16 | 4 |
| Lead changes | 14 | 14 |
| Time in front | 79 | 16 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half55-46Brady Swartz makes 27-foot three point jumper (Justice Williams assists)
- 2nd Half57-46Marcus Banks Jr. makes 14-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half57-49EJ Ryans makes 24-foot three point jumper (Max Burton assists)
- 2nd Half57-51Justice Williams makes 16-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half58-51Daniel Hankins-Sanford makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-51Luka Damjanac makes layup (Marcus Banks Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half60-54Trey Lewis makes 23-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half60-55Justice Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-56Justice Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-56K'Jei Parker makes layup
- 2nd Half62-57Justice Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-58Justice Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-58Leonardo Bettiol makes layup (Daniel Hankins-Sanford assists)
- 2nd Half66-58Dwayne Wimbley Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half66-61EJ Ryans makes 24-foot three point jumper (Sharod Barnes assists)
- 2nd Half66-64EJ Ryans makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half69-64Dwayne Wimbley Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper (Danny Carbuccia assists)
- 2nd Half69-66Justice Williams makes driving layup (Sharod Barnes assists)
- 2nd Half70-66Leonardo Bettiol makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-66Leonardo Bettiol makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-69Brady Swartz makes 25-foot three point jumper (EJ Ryans assists)
- 2nd Half73-69Leonardo Bettiol makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half74-69Leonardo Bettiol makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half74-72EJ Ryans makes 25-foot three point jumper (Justice Williams assists)
- 2nd Half76-72Leonardo Bettiol makes driving layup
- 2nd Half76-73Brady Swartz makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-74Brady Swartz makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-74Luka Damjanac makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-74Luka Damjanac makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-76Declan Peterson makes 3-foot dunk (Sharod Barnes assists)
- 2nd Half80-76Leonardo Bettiol makes layup (Danny Carbuccia assists)
- 2nd Half80-77Jalen Griffith makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half80-78Jalen Griffith makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half81-78Leonardo Bettiol makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half82-78Leonardo Bettiol makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half82-80Brady Swartz makes driving layup
- 2nd Half83-80K'Jei Parker makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half84-80K'Jei Parker makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half84-82Justice Williams makes driving layup
- 2nd Half85-82Marcus Banks Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Western Michigan Broncos, below favours Massachusetts Minutemen.
Venue
- University Arena (MI)Kalamazoo, MI
- Attendance1536
- OfficialsSteve McJunkins, John Hendricks, Tim Stewart
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- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond