Citadel Bulldogs at Western Carolina Catamounts ATS Odds

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The Western Carolina Catamounts (12-18, 7-10 SoCon) and Citadel Bulldogs (10-19, 5-12 SoCon) will face off at Ramsey Center to bring the regular season to a close. Western Carolina opened as a 3-point favorite, while the games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 164 points. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 25, 2018.

Citadel Bulldogs vs. Western Carolina Catamounts Betting Preview

In the Bulldogs last contest, they were beaten by the Mercer Bears, 83-70. Citadel’s Zane Najdawi recorded 17 points and seven rebounds in the contest. Mercer’s 0.288 free throw rate was their largest advantage over Citadel, who had a rate of 0.200. The Bears mark was above their season average of 0.281, while the Bulldogs was below the 0.238 mark opponents have averaged against Mercer this season.

The Catamounts are trying to rebound after their 78-55 loss to the Furman Paladins in their last matchup. Mike Amius was Western Carolina’s leading scorer with 13 points on 6-for-11 shooting. Furman made 11 of their 27 three pointers (40.7 percent). Western Carolina, on the other hand, did a fantastic job of converting from the free throw line (8-11; 72.7 percent).

This has potential to be an error-filled game for the offense of Western Carolina. Western Carolina ranks 323rd in the NCAA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 21.4 percent), while the gambling defense of Citadel forces the 42nd-most turnovers in the NCAA (21.7 percent).

Of Citadel’s 22 games with betting action, 12 have finished over the O/U total, while 15 of Western Carolina’s 26 games have finished over the O/U total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Catamounts have a significant advantage. They are 12-18 SU and 12-14 ATS, while the Bulldogs are 10-19 SU and 10-11-1 ATS.

Najdawi has really been playing well over the last five games for Citadel, averaging 21.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to put up 160 points, which was under the projected point total of 169.5. The Catamounts won 81-79, covering as 1.5-point favorites. The Catamounts dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a turnover percentage of 16.5 and a ridiculous offensive rebounding percentage of 41.1. For those same stats, the Bulldogs were 22.1 and 34.0, respectively. Desmond Johnson was the game’s top overall scorer with 19 points.

Citadel Bulldogs at Western Carolina Catamounts ATS Prediction

Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Citadel, ATS Winner – Citadel, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • The Bulldogs average 36.7 rebounds per game, which ranks 93rd in the NCAA. The Catamounts rank 231st in rebounds allowed per game (37.1).
  • Citadel averages 3.2 blocks per game, which ranks 128th in the nation. Western Carolina ranks 167th in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
  • Citadel is 5-5-1 ATS on the road, while Western Carolina is 3-6 ATS at home.
  • The total has gone over in 8 of the Bulldogs 11 road games, while 6 of the Catamounts 9 home games have gone under.
  • Citadel averages 34.8 three pointers per game, which ranks second in the nation. Western Carolina ranks 239th in three pointers allowed per game (24.0).
  • The Bulldogs rank 20th in assists per game (16.7) while the Catamounts rank 238th in assists allowed per game (15.3).
  • Citadel averages 9.6 steals per game, which ranks fifth in the nation. Western Carolina ranks 217th in steals allowed per game (7.7).

Betting Trends:

  • Western Carolina is 0-5 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in their last five games.
  • Over their last five games, Citadel is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
  • The Catamounts average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 16.6, up from 7.4 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 78.8 points per game (4.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 87.6 points per game (1.5 below their season average).