UNC Asheville vs Gardner-Webb Prediction Basketball Picks 3-9-24

The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs and the UNC Asheville Bulldogs meet Saturday in Big South Tournament college basketball action from Qubein Center. Let’s get into our Gardner-Webb vs. UNC Asheville prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Gardner-Webb Bulldogs

The Bulldogs got off to a rocky 5-12 run over their first 17 games this year, but then hit a six-game win streak in January. After a 2-3 stretch last month, Gardner-Webb has won their last four. Those victories came versus UNC Asheville, Longwood, Winthrop and Presbyterian.

In the tournament matchup versus Presbyterian on Friday, the Bulldogs were down 34-27 by halftime. Gardner-Webb came back with a 34-26 run in the second for a 61-60 victory. Leading the charge was DQ Nicholas with 15 points, seven boards and two assists in 34 minutes.

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UNC Asheville Bulldogs

Over on the UNC Asheville side, they were sitting at 14-9 at the end of January. The Bulldogs hit a five-game win streak over Winthrop, High Point, USC Upstate, Presbyterian and Charleston Southern from there. After losses to Longwood and Gardner-Webb, UNC Asheville took out Radford and Charleston Southern.

Matched up against Charleston Southern in tournament activity Friday, the Bulldogs were up 29-20 by the break. UNC Asheville was outscored 35-31 the rest of the way in a 60-55 win. Drew Pember topped the team with his 24 points and 14 rebounds for a double-double.

ANDREW’S FREE GARDNER-WEBB VS UNC ASHEVILLE PREDICTION

I’ll likely lean toward UNC Asheville here. We should have a fun matchup regardless, though. The Bulldogs didn’t play especially well on offense against Charleston Southern, hitting just 36.7 percent from the field alongside a 45-36 rebounding deficit. UNC Asheville held the Buccaneers to just 34.5 percent shooting on the other side however, and notched 17 points off 14 turnovers. The Bulldogs have held opponents below 70 points in five of the last seven games.

The last time these teams saw each other on February 24, Gardner-Webb took a 78-77 road win. Both teams shot well in that one (over 46.7 percent), but Gardner-Webb owned the boards 39-28. This tournament matchup is sure to be a close one as well. I like UNC Asheville to play well and get a little revenge, but you’ll probably be able to call it either way. Should be a good one.