The Western Carolina Catamounts (2-5) can snap a five-game road losing streak when they meet the Charleston Cougars (4-2) at TD Arena. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 139 points with Charleston opening as a 15.5-point favorite. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 30, 2017.
Western Carolina Catamounts at Charleston Cougars Betting Preview
In the Catamounts last contest, they beat the Alabama A&M Bulldogs, 82-72. Devin Peterson was the top scorer from either team with 21 points on 9-for-15 shooting. Western Carolina dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a turnover percentage of 16.9 (better than their season average of 19.8) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.4 (above their season average of 31.6). Alabama A&M was 24.4 and 30.8, respectively, for those same stats.
The Cougars will look to maintain momentum after beating the Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves in their last matchup, 55-46. Charleston rallied around Joe Chealey, who was the games high scorer with 15 points on 4-for-12 shooting. The Cougars had a much better free throw rate (0.212 vs. 0.061) and had a turnover percentage of 10.6 (better than their season average of 14.3).
The aggressive Charleston offense looks poised to dominate from the charity stripe. The Cougars rank 19th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.304, while Western Carolina ranks 340th in FTA rate allowed (0.325) since last season. Additionally, the Catamounts 350th-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 90.3) will face a tough challenge against the Cougars 57th-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 98.3).
Both of these teams have typically finished over the O/U total. Games including Western Carolina have gone over 100.0 percent of the time, while 60.0 percent of Charleston games have gone over. The Cougars hold the significant advantage straight up (SU) (4-2 vs. 2-5), but the Catamounts have been better against the spread (ATS) (3-3 vs. 2-3).
The Cougars won the sole contest against the Catamounts last season, 77-59. The Cougars played a nearly perfect game. They had a ridiculous free throw rate of 0.511 and a fantastic effective field goal percentage of 0.600. For those same stats, the Catamounts recorded marks of 0.161 and 0.395, respectively.
Western Carolina Catamounts at Charleston Cougars Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Charleston, ATS Winner – Charleston, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Catamounts rank 183rd in rebounds per game (35.7) while the Cougars rank 264th (33.9).
- Charleston ranks 216th in three pointers attempted per game (19.9) while Western Carolina ranks 242nd (19.1).
- Charleston ranks third in steals allowed per game (3.9) while Western Carolina ranks 279th (8.4).
- The Cougars rank 53rd in assists allowed per game (11.6) while the Catamounts rank 251st (14.7).
- Charleston ranks 127th in blocks per game (3.5) while Western Carolina ranks 254th (2.3).
