The country’s top scoring team will be at home in McAlister Field House, when the Citadel Bulldogs (5-2) go head-to-head with the Mercer Bears (4-3). Action starts at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 1, 2018.
Mercer Bears vs. Citadel Bulldogs Betting Odds
Both teams easily got past their last opponent. The Bulldogs defeated the High Point Panthers 112-87, while the Bears beat the Brewton-Parker College Barons 90-65.
Mercer played a perfect game. They had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.367 (above their season average of 0.287) and a turnover percentage of 15.2 (better than their season average of 17.9). Brewton-Parker College recorded marks of 0.069 and 25.0, respectively, for those same stats. Citadel, meanwhile, made 23 of their 40 three pointers (57.5 percent). They also held High Point to just 4-28 (14.3 percent). Lew Stallworth put together a solid performance for Citadel with 14 points, 12 assists and six rebounds. Ross Cummings had a good outing for Mercer, contributing 31 points.
This series was highly contested last year. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. The Bears won the most recent game 83-70. Mercer’s free throw rate was their largest strength over Citadel. The Bears had a rate of 0.288, while the Bulldogs posted a mark of 0.200.
It will be a matchup of opposite styles as the fast-breaking Bulldogs will look to push the more grind-it-out Bears. Since the 2017-18 season, the Bulldogs rank second in possessions per game while the Bears are 314th. Additionally, the Bears rank 35th in offensive efficiency (113.3), while the Bulldogs rank 309th in defensive efficiency (109.2).
Mercer Bears vs. Citadel Bulldogs Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Citadel, ATS Winner – Citadel, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
- Mercer ranks third in rebounds allowed per game (29.9) while Citadel ranks 324th (43.3).
- The Bulldogs rank third in steals per game (9.2) while the Bears rank 212th (5.6).
- Citadel ranks 147th in blocks per game (3.4) while Mercer ranks 287th (1.8).
- The Bulldogs rank second in three pointers attempted per game (35.8) while the Bears rank 313th in three pointers allowed per game (26.3).
- Mercer ranks 97th in assists per game (14.6) while Citadel ranks 320th in assists allowed per game (19.1).
