Western Carolina vs The Citadel 1/5/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Citadel Bulldogs will travel to the Ramsey Regional Activity Center to take on the Western Carolina Catamounts this Wednesday night in College Basketball action.

The Citadel Bulldogs lost their 2^nd straight game and dropped to 6-5 on the season after being defeated by the Manhattan Jaspers, 77-74, on December 21^st. The Citadel led by a 40-34 margin at halftime, however, the Bulldogs struggled offensively in the 2^nd half and could not fight back after Manhattan took a 67-63 lead with 5:07 left in regulation. The Citadel shot 43.3% from the field & 29.6% from beyond the arc while allowing Manhattan to shoot 41.8% from the field & 47.4% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bulldogs was Hayden Brown who had 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, & 3 steals.

On the season, The Citadel is averaging 81.9 ppg on 46.7% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs are averaging 10.8 three-pointers per game on 34.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, The Citadel has been led by Hayden Brown (20.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.5 spg), Jason Roche (14.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg), Stephen Clark (9.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.4 bpg), & Tyler Moffe (9.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.5 apg).

Defensively, The Citadel is allowing their opponents to average 71.3 ppg on 38.6% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs have a rebound margin of 3.2 and a turnover margin of -1.2.

The Western Carolina Catamounts lost their 3^rd straight game and dropped to 6-7 on the season after being defeated Charlotte 49ers, 98-82, on December 22^nd. Western Carolina had no answers on the defensive end for Charlotte and could not fight back after the 49ers took a 60-48 lead with 15:02 left in regulation. Western Carolina shot 57.1% from the field & 50.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Charlotte to shoot 57.6% from the field & 52.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Catamounts was Marcus Banks who had 22 points & 4 rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench.

On the season, Western Carolina is averaging 76.8 ppg on 43.0% shooting from the field. The Catamounts are averaging 11.5 three-pointers per game on 35.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Western Carolina has been led by Nicholas Robinson (15.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.5 apg), Travion McCray (11.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.1 spg), Vonterius Woolbright (9.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.3 apg), & Marcus Banks (8.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg).

Defensively, Western Carolina is allowing their opponents to average 77.5 ppg on 43.5% shooting from the field. The Catamounts have a rebound margin of 4.5 and a turnover margin of -3.8.

The Bulldogs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games, however, are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games vs. Western Carolina. The Catamounts are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games, however, are just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 January games.

The Citadel are led by their offense which ranks 21^st in scoring offense, 71^st in FG%, & 12^th in three-pointers made per game, however, the Bulldogs do struggle giving up points as they come into this game ranked 244^th in scoring defense. Western Carolina comes into this game also led by their offense which ranks 81^st in scoring offense & 5^th in three-pointers made per game, however, the Catamounts have really struggled defensively and come into this game ranked 327^th in scoring defense.

Western Carolina is 3-1 at home, however, this is not a very good team, and I just don’t see their defense, which has allowed an average of 91.5 ppg over their last two games, slowing down Hayden Brown and The Citadel offense. The Citadel has already gone on the road this season and beat Pittsburgh and as I think the Bulldogs put up 90+ in this one, I think the play here is to take the Bulldogs. Good Luck!