The Western Carolina Catamounts (13-6, 5-3 SoCon) and their phenomenal offense will be 3.5-point underdogs when they welcome the UNCG Spartans (16-5, 6-2 SoCon) and their tremendous defense. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 146.5 points and action begins at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 29, 2020.
UNCG Spartans at Western Carolina Catamounts ATS Odds
Both teams were victorious over their last opponent. The Catamounts defeated the Wofford Terriers 81-72, while the Spartans beat the Samford Bulldogs 70-63.
UNCG dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 42.9 (above their season average of 33.9) and a turnover percentage of 19.9 (worse than their season average of 14.3). Samford was 25.8 and 21.9, respectively, for those same stats. The Catamounts, on the other hand, held the Terriers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.1 (below their season average of 25.2) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.632 (above their season average of 0.560). Mason Faulkner played well for Western Carolina with 25 points and six assists. UNCG, meanwhile, rallied around Isaiah Miller, who contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds.
The Spartans dominated this series last year, taking both games. In the last contest, UNCG won 79-76. UNCG won the rebounding battle. The Spartans had more offensive rebounds (11 vs. 5), defensive rebounds (32 vs. 30) and total rebounds (43 vs. 35). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
The game should be a battle of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Western Carolina (16th in the country with an offensive efficiency of 112.0) takes on the top-notch defense of UNCG (sixth in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 86.7). Ball protection should be an advantage for the Spartans. They rank 60th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 17.3 percent), while the Catamounts force the 69th-fewest turnovers in the NCAA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 17.9 percent).
UNCG Spartans vs. Western Carolina Catamounts Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – UNCG, ATS Winner – UNCG, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- UNCG ranks sixth in steals per game (9.8) while Western Carolina ranks 192nd (5.4).
- The Spartans rank eighth in assists allowed per game (9.5) while the Catamounts rank 101st (12.1).
- The Spartans average 26.8 three pointers per game, which ranks 30th in the nation. The Catamounts rank 179th in three pointers allowed per game (22.9).
- UNCG ranks 24th in blocks allowed per game (2.4) while Western Carolina ranks 119th (3.6).
Bettings Trends:
- The Catamounts have been outscored by an average of 2.4 points in their last five games. For the season, Western Carolina has defeated opponents by an average of 6.4 points.
- During their last five games, the Spartans have scored an average of 72.8 points per game (0.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 64.2 points per game (4.8 above their season average).
