The Gardner-Webb Bulldogs and the North Carolina Central Eagles meet Wednesday in college basketball action from McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium. Gardner-Webb is currently 4-6 on the year and coming off a loss to VMI. As for NC Central, they’re 4-7. The Eagles beat Carver in their last game. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Gardner-Webb managed to go 4-2 in their first six games this year, taking out Carver, Columbia International, Western Carolina and North Carolina Central. Since then it’s been three straight losses to East Carolina, Wofford and VMI.
In the VMI game, Gardner-Webb posted a 36-34 deficit heading into halftime and ultimately didn’t get any closer in a 64-61 loss. Lance Terry led the team on 16 points with seven rebounds and two steals.
Over on the NC Central side, they lost their first four games this year before picking up wins over Warren Wilson and the Apprentice School. The Eagles went 2-3 in their next three with wins over UCS Upstate and Carver in that stretch.
In the Carver game, NC Central didn’t have a whole lot of trouble. The Eagles posted a 51-22 edge at halftime and cruised to the 102-50 win. Justin Wright provided 20 points, and Kris Monroe doubled up on 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Gardner-Webb is 2-7 ATS in their last nine after a straight-up loss. The Bulldogs are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 after an ATS loss and the under is 7-2 in their last nine Wednesday games.
Meanwhile, the Eagles are 1-4 ATS in their last five overall and 1-4 ATS in their last five road games. NC Central is 1-4 ATS in their last five as a road underdog.
PICK: I’m going to stay with Gardner-Webb here. The last time these teams met was back on November 29 at Paul Porter Arena. The Bulldogs posted 49 points in the first half and 34 more from there in a dominant 83-58 win. Gardner-Webb has had their struggles since then for sure; they’ve hit 70 points just once in the last three games. This matchup should be what the Bulldogs need to get back on track, though. It may not be as bad as last time, but I think Gardner-Webb will pull off another big win in this rematch.