It will be a battle between SoCon opponents when the Western Carolina Catamounts (5-16, 2-6 SoCon) welcome the East Tennessee State Buccaneers (16-5, 6-2 SoCon) to the Ramsey Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 26, 2019, and will air on ESPN 3.
East Tennessee State Buccaneers vs. Western Carolina Catamounts ATS Prediction
The last time the Buccaneers played, they were beaten by the UNCG Spartans, 75-68. UNCG’s 17.5 turnover percentage was their largest strength over East Tennessee State, who had a mark of 20.5. The Spartans’ mark was worse than their season average of 14.1. East Tennessee State’s Jeromy Rodriguez had a good outing, recording 16 points and 14 rebounds.
The Catamounts lost to the VMI Keydets in their last contest, 91-83. VMI’s 8.1 turnover percentage was the team’s biggest strength over Western Carolina, who had a mark of 23.2. The Keydets’ mark was better than their season average of 16.1, while the Catamounts’ was above the 15.3 mark opponents have averaged against VMI this season. Western Carolina’s Onno Steger had a good game, leading the team in scoring with 27 points on 9-for-15 shooting.
After the Buccaneers won both meetings against the Catamounts last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent game, East Tennessee State won 72-61. East Tennessee State had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (46.7 vs. 21.1). Western Carolina, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of making free throws (13-18; 72.2 percent).
The ineffective offense of Western Carolina (291st in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 99.0) will face off against the stingy defense of East Tennessee State (24th in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 93.2). The Buccaneers should have the advantage on that end of the court. Moreover, the Buccaneers are among the NCAA’s best on the offensive backboards, ranking second in offensive rebounding percentage (40.4 percent). The Catamounts, meanwhile, rank 48th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.1 percent).
East Tennessee State Buccaneers vs. Western Carolina Catamounts Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Western Carolina, ATS Winner – Western Carolina, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes:
East Tennessee State ranks 40th in assists per game (15.9) while Western Carolina ranks 188th (12.4).
The Buccaneers rank 56th in steals per game (7.5) while the Catamounts rank 199th in steals allowed per game (9.0).
Western Carolina averages 24.7 three pointers per game, which ranks 83rd in the NCAA. East Tennessee State ranks 194th in three pointers allowed per game (24.0).
The Buccaneers rank sixth in rebounds per game (42.7) while the Catamounts rank 115th (36.3).
East Tennessee State ranks 59th in blocks per game (4.1) while Western Carolina ranks 142nd in blocks allowed per game (4.2).
Bettings Trends:
The Buccaneers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.2, down from 13.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Catamounts have scored an average of 78.6 points per game (8.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 79.0 points per game (0.8 above their season average).
^^^^^
