The Samford Bulldogs (8-16, 2-8 SoCon) welcome the Western Carolina Catamounts (14-7, 6-4 SoCon) to Pete Hanna Center. The Bulldogs look to snap their eight-game losing streak. Action gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
Western Carolina Catamounts vs. Samford Bulldogs Betting Odds
In their last outing, the Bulldogs got blown out by the Wofford Terriers, 80-56, while the Catamounts won a close one over the Chattanooga Mocs, 64-61.
The Catamounts made 12 of their 14 free throws (85.7 percent) and held the Mocs to an effective field goal percentage of 0.392 (below their season average of 0.528). Samford, meanwhile, had a better free throw rate (0.158 vs. 0.127). Samford rallied around Josh Sharkey, who put up 14 points and seven assists. Carlos Dotson had a solid performance for Western Carolina, putting up 15 points and 14 rebounds.
This was a highly competitive series last year, as the teams split their two games last season. The Bulldogs won the last game 92-81. Samford’s 0.690 effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Western Carolina, who had a rate of 0.539. This will be the first meeting of the year between these two teams.
The high-powered offense of Western Carolina (41st in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 110.1) will square off against the bottom-tier defense of Samford (327th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 107.6). The Catamounts should have the advantage on that side of the ball.
Western Carolina Catamounts vs. Samford Bulldogs Odds Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Western Carolina, ATS Winner – Western Carolina, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Western Carolina averages 27.0 three pointers per game, which ranks 28th in the country. Samford ranks 292nd in three pointers allowed per game (29.7).
- The Bulldogs rank 102nd in steals per game (6.8) while the Catamounts rank 140th in steals allowed per game (6.7).
- The Catamounts average 38.3 rebounds per game, which ranks 68th in the nation. The Bulldogs rank 245th in rebounds allowed per game (38.5).
- Western Carolina averages 14.2 assists per game, which ranks 86th in the nation. Samford ranks 259th in assists allowed per game (18.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Bulldogs’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 15.4, up from 5.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Catamounts have scored an average of 69.6 points per game (9.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 75.0 points per game (1.1 above their season average).
