The UNC Asheville Bulldogs (9-9, 3-4 BigSou) will be at the G.B. Hodge Center to take on the USC Upstate Spartans (7-13, 2-5 BigSou) in a BigSou matchup. Action begins at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 25, 2020.
UNC Asheville Bulldogs at USC Upstate Spartans Betting Odds
In their last game, the Spartans got blown out by the Winthrop Eagles, 79-53, while the Bulldogs beat the Radford Highlanders, 80-67.
UNC Asheville dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.360 (above their season average of 0.183) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.620 (above their season average of 0.531). Radford was 0.224 and 0.466, respectively, for those same stats. USC Upstate, on the other hand, had a free throw rate of 0.318 (above their season average of 0.219). Bryson Mozone had a good game for USC Upstate, recording 14 points. Tajion Jones, meanwhile was a key piece for UNC Asheville with 29 points and five rebounds.
The Bulldogs dominated this series last year, securing victories in both games. In the most recent contest, UNC Asheville won 57-53. The Bulldogs’ turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Spartans. UNC Asheville had a rate of 9.1, while USC Upstate posted a mark of 16.5. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
This has potential to be a mistake-prone game for the offense of USC Upstate. USC Upstate ranks 142nd in the nation in ball protection (turnover percentage of 18.8 percent), while the pesky defense of UNC Asheville forces the eighth-most turnovers in the country (26.0 percent). Moreover, the upper-echelon offense of the Bulldogs ranks 44th in effective field goal percentage (0.535), while the Spartans are 29th-worst in the country at effective field goal percentage allowed (0.535).
UNC Asheville vs. USC Upstate Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – USC Upstate, ATS Winner – USC Upstate, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- UNC Asheville ranks sixth in three pointers allowed per game (15.8) while USC Upstate ranks 155th (22.0).
- The Spartans rank 243rd in rebounds per game (33.1) while the Bulldogs rank 274th (31.3).
- The Bulldogs rank 14th in steals per game (9.3) while the Spartans rank 136th (6.1).
- UNC Asheville ranks 50th in blocks allowed per game (2.8) while USC Upstate ranks 90th (3.3).
Bettings Trends:
- The Spartans’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 8.8, up from 6.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 74.8 points per game (3.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 71.6 points per game (2.3 below their season average).
