The Longwood Lancers and the NC Central Eagles meet in college basketball action from the McDougald McLendon Arena on Wednesday night. Can Longwood keep their strong start to the year going? Or will NC Central defend home court to get back to .500? Let’s dive in and find out with our Longwood vs. NC Central Prediction.
Longwood Team Preview
The Longwood Lancers come into this one looking to build on a 68-49 win over VMI last time out. Walyn Napper leads Longwood in scoring with 14.8 PPG and in assists with 4.7 APG along with 3.9 RPG and 2 SPG while Johnathan Massie has 12.2 PPG with 5.8 RPG. Szymon Zapala has 10.8 PPG with 6 RPG and Michael Christmas has 10.8 PPG with 7.6 RPG to lead the Lancers on the glass, rounding out the group of double-digit scorers for the Lancers so far this season. As a team, Longwood is averaging 79.8 PPG on 47.5% shooting from the field, 33.2% from three and 65.9% from the foul line this season.
More College Basketball Picks: UC San Diego vs California Prediction!
NC Central Team Preview
The NC Central Eagles come into this game looking to build on their 102-50 rout of subdivision St. Andrews last time out. Fred Cleveland Jr. leads the Eagles in scoring and assists with 15 PPG and 4.5 APG while Ja’Darius Harris has 14.5 PPG with 2.8 RPG and Po’Boigh King has 13.5 PPG with 4.8 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for NC Central so far this season. Emmanuel Izunabor also has a team-high 5.5 RPG to lead the Eagles on the glass. As a team, NC Central is averaging 75.1 PPG on 44.5% shooting from the field, 30% from three and 66.8% from the foul line this season.
Longwood vs. NC Central Prediction
I’m sticking with Longwood here. The Lancers have yet to really steer anyone wrong so far this season and it’s hard to back NC Central as a team that’s yet to beat a division I opponent at home this season. This Longwood team is looking legit and could be the one to represent the conference at the NCAA tournament this year. A bit early for that, but I still like them here laying the reasonable number.
