The Western Carolina Catamounts will travel to the Pete Hanna Center to take on the Samford Bulldogs this Saturday afternoon in College Basketball action.
The Western Carolina Catamounts snapped their 3-game losing streak and improved to 7-7 on the season after defeating The Citadel Bulldogs, 94-90 (OT), this past Wednesday night. Western Carolina allowed The Citadel to fight back from a 44-35 halftime deficit to force OT, however, the Catamounts were solid offensively in overtime and was able to hold on for the victory after taking a 91-86 lead with :48 seconds left in OT. Western Carolina shot 37.3% from the field & 36.6% from beyond the arc while allowing The Citadel to shoot 50.0% from the field & 45.9% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Catamounts was Tyler Harris who had a double-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, & 1 steal.
On the season, Western Carolina is averaging 78.0 ppg on 42.5% shooting from the field. The Catamounts are averaging 11.8 three-pointers per game on 35.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Western Carolina has been led by Nicholas Robinson (15.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.0 spg), Vonterius Woolbright (9.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.4 apg), Marcus Banks (9.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg), & Cam Bacote (7.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.7 apg).
Defensively, Western Carolina is allowing their opponents to average 78.4 ppg on 43.9% shooting from the field. The Catamounts have a rebound margin of 4.6 and a turnover margin of -3.2.
The Samford Bulldogs lost their 2nd straight game and dropped to 10-4 on the season after being defeated by the Mercer Bears, 83-80, this past Wednesday night. Samford led by a 38-33 margin at halftime, however, the Bulldogs struggled defensively against Mercer in the 2nd half and allowed the Bears to fight back and secure the victory. Samford shot 40.3% from the field & 21.4% from beyond the arc while allowing Mercer to shoot 47.5% from the field & 42.1% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bulldogs was Jermaine Marshall who had 24 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, & 3 steals.
On the season, Samford is averaging 73.5 ppg on 44.4% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs are averaging 9.6 three-pointers per game on 32.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Samford has been led by Ques Glover (19.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.3 spg), Jermaine Marshall (12.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.1 spg), Logan Dye (12.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.3 bpg), & Jaden Campbell (10.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.3 spg).
Defensively, Samford is allowing their opponents to average 73.5 ppg on 44.4% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs have a rebound margin of 1.6 and a turnover margin of 0.5.
The Catamounts are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games & 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. Samford. The Bulldogs are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 home games & 1-4 ATS in their 5 Saturday games.
Western Carolina has been led by their offense which ranks 54th in scoring offense & 4th in three-pointers made per game, however, the Catamounts have struggled defensively and come into this matchup ranked just 333rd in scoring defense & 249th in defensive FG%. The Bulldogs are led by their offense which ranks 114th in scoring offense & t-40th in three-pointers made per game, however, the Bulldogs have allowed some points and currently ranked just 286th in scoring offense 7 269th in defensive FG%.
These are two teams that can really score the basketball and love giving up a ton of points, and although this is a high spread, as I think this one finished around the 160 total points, I think the play here is to take the over. Good Luck!