It will be a showdown between two stifling defenses when the East Tennessee State Buccaneers (10-4, 0-1 SoCon) meet the Furman Paladins (12-1, 1-0 SoCon) at Freedom Hall Civic Center. Action gets underway at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 29, 2018.
Furman Paladins vs. East Tennessee State Buccaneers Betting Odds
In their last matchup, the Buccaneers lost to the Georgia State Panthers, 74-68, while the Paladins had no trouble getting past the Bob Jones University Bruins, 102-48.
Furman played a perfect game. They had a turnover percentage of 3.7 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 39.4. For those same stats, Bob Jones University was 29.2 and 17.2, respectively. East Tennessee State, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (52.9 vs. 40.5). East Tennessee State received a boost from Isaiah Tisdale, who finished with 19 points and five rebounds. Meanwhile, Matt Rafferty fueled Furman with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
The Buccaneers edged out the Paladins in this series last year, winning two out of three games. In the most recent game, East Tennessee State won 63-52. East Tennessee State’s 0.518 effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Furman, who had a rate of 0.350. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
The Paladins’ Rafferty has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 0 points per game. Meanwhile, Jeromy Rodriguez has averaged 0 points during that same time frame for the Buccaneers.
This contest figures to be low-scoring as two of the NCAA’s best defenses face off. East Tennessee State currently ranks 23rd in defensive efficiency (89.9) and Furman is 45th (92.7).
Furman Paladins vs. East Tennessee State Buccaneers ATS Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – East Tennessee State, ATS Winner – East Tennessee State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Furman ranks ninth in three pointers attempted per game (29.6) while East Tennessee State ranks 136th in three pointers allowed per game (23.1).
- The Paladins average 4.3 blocks per game, which ranks 46th in the nation. The Buccaneers rank 95th in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
- Furman ranks 23rd in assists per game (17.4) while East Tennessee State ranks 63rd in assists allowed per game (11.7).
- The Buccaneers rank sixth in rebounds allowed per game (29.1) while the Paladins rank 111th (34.8).
- Furman averages 9.5 steals per game, which ranks 10th in the country. East Tennessee State ranks 114th in steals allowed per game (6.9).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Buccaneers have scored an average of 81.6 points per game (2.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 65.6 points per game (1.0 above their season average).
- The Paladins’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 21.2, up from 15.9 for the season.
