It will be a meeting between two outstanding offenses when the Furman Paladins (12-3, 2-0 SoCon) go head-to-head with the East Tennessee State Buccaneers (13-2, 2-0 SoCon) at Timmons Arena. Action gets underway at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 4, 2020.
East Tennessee State Buccaneers at Furman Paladins Betting Odds
Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Paladins defeated the VMI Keydets 89-73, while the Buccaneers edged the Wofford Terriers 49-48.
East Tennessee State played a nearly perfect game. They had a free throw rate of 0.170 (below their season average of 0.252) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.1 (below their season average of 37.0). For those same stats, Wofford was 0.122 and 27.3, respectively. The Paladins, on the other hand, knocked down 20 of their 25 free throws (80.0 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.704 (above their season average of 0.560). Jordan Lyons had a good outing for Furman, contributing 40 points. Meanwhile, East Tennessee State was led by Isaiah Tisdale, who put up eight points and seven assists.
This series was highly contested last year, as the teams split their two games last season. In the most recent matchup, the Paladins won 91-61. Furman made 12 of their 18 three pointers (66.7 percent). East Tennessee State was, on the other hand, just 2-14 (14.3 percent). This will be the first game of the year between these two teams.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the productive offense of Furman (17th in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 113.4) takes on the top-notch defense of East Tennessee State (38th in the country with a defensive efficiency of 89.5).
East Tennessee State at Furman Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – East Tennessee State, ATS Winner – East Tennessee State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- East Tennessee State ranks 80th in rebounds per game (38.1) while Furman ranks 240th (32.5).
- The Paladins rank 22nd in three pointers attempted per game (27.5) while the Buccaneers rank 108th (23.5).
- Furman averages 8.6 steals per game, which ranks 38th in the nation. East Tennessee State ranks 117th in steals allowed per game (6.8).
- The Buccaneers rank 28th in assists allowed per game (10.2) while the Paladins rank 150th (13.3).
- East Tennessee State ranks 35th in blocks per game (4.7) while Furman ranks 135th (2.7).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Paladins have scored an average of 81.4 points per game (2.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 69.0 points per game (4.4 above their season average).
- The Buccaneers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 32.4, up from 17.2 for the season.
