SoCon foes will collide when the Western Carolina Catamounts (9-13, 4-5 SoCon) square off against the Chattanooga Mocs (8-15, 2-8 SoCon) at Ramsey Center. Western Carolina opened as a 2.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 134.5 points. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 1, 2018.
Chattanooga Mocs at Western Carolina Catamounts Betting Preview
The last time the Mocs played, they won a close one over the UNCG Spartans, 87-85. Nat Dixon was the game’s leading scorer with 30 points on 9-for-16 shooting. The Mocs made 29 of their 38 free throws (76.3 percent) and held the Spartans to an effective field goal percentage of 0.467 (below their season average of 0.532).
The Catamounts are hoping for a better outcome after their 77-68 loss to the Wofford Terriers in their last matchup. With 10 points and 10 rebounds, Western Carolina’s Marc Gosselin had a solid performance. Wofford had a turnover percentage of 9.0 (better than their season average of 17.0). Western Carolina, meanwhile, did an excellent job of making free throws (13-15; 86.7 percent).
It could be a sloppy game for the Chattanooga offense. Chattanooga ranks 276th in the NCAA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 20.6 percent), while the gambling defense of Western Carolina forces the 38th-most turnovers in the NCAA (22.3 percent).
Of Chattanooga’s 19 games that accepted bets, 10 have finished over the O/U total, while 11 of Western Carolina’s 18 games have finished over the O/U total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Catamounts have a sizable advantage. They are 9-13 SU and 10-8 ATS, while the Mocs are 8-15 SU and 9-9-1 ATS.
Rodney Chatman has taken his game to another level over the last five games for Chattanooga, averaging 13.4 points, 7.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined for 138 points, just over the projected point total of 137. The Catamounts won 75-63, covering as 6-point underdogs. The Catamounts dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a phenomenal offensive rebounding percentage of 47.2 and a free throw rate of 0.242. For those same stats, the Mocs were 16.1 and 0.160, respectively. Mike Amius was the game’s top overall scorer with 27 points.
Chattanooga Mocs vs. Western Carolina Catamounts Free Prediction
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Western Carolina, ATS Winner – Chattanooga, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Mocs rank 122nd in rebounds allowed per game (34.5) while the Catamounts rank 238th (38.0).
- Chattanooga is 6-3-1 ATS on the road, while Western Carolina is 2-2 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 4 of the Catamounts’ 4 home games, while 5 of the Mocs’ 10 road games have gone over.
- Western Carolina ranks 17th in steals per game (8.3) while Chattanooga ranks 212th (4.7).
- The Mocs rank 25th in three pointers allowed per game (18.3) while the Catamounts rank 203rd (23.5).
- Chattanooga ranks 102nd in assists allowed per game (12.9) while Western Carolina ranks 230th (15.8).
Bettings Trends:
- Western Carolina is 2-2 ATS with 2 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Chattanooga is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Catamounts have outscored opponents by an average of 1.6 points in their last five games. For the season, Western Carolina has lost by an average of 7.7 points.
- During their last five games, the Mocs have scored an average of 74.4 points per game (4.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 74.4 points per game (2.1 above their season average).
