Saturday’s contest at Ramsey Regional Activity Center has the Samford Bulldogs (11-3, 1-0 SoCon) matching up with the Western Carolina Catamounts (4-8, 0-1 SoCon) at 3:00 PM ET. Our computer prediction is a one-sided 83-71 victory, as our model heavily favors Samford.

According to our computer prediction, Western Carolina projects to cover the 12.5-point spread in its matchup versus Samford. The over/under has been set at 160.5, and the two sides are projected to come in below that total.

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Samford vs. Western Carolina Game Info & Odds

• Date: Saturday, January 4, 2025
• Time: 3:00 PM ET
• TV: ESPN+
• Live stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
• Where: Cullowhee, North Carolina
• Venue: Ramsey Regional Activity Center
• Line: Samford -12.5
• Point total: 160.5
• Moneyline (to win): Samford -901, Western Carolina +570

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Samford vs. Western Carolina Score Prediction

• Prediction:
  Samford 83, Western Carolina 71

Spread & Total Prediction for Samford vs. Western Carolina

• Pick ATS: Western Carolina (+12.5)
• Pick OU: Under (160.5)

Samford has a 6-6-0 record against the spread so far this season compared to Western Carolina, who is 3-6-0 ATS. The Bulldogs are 7-5-0 and the Catamounts are 5-4-0 in terms of hitting the over. The teams average 158.1 points per game combined, 2.4 fewer than this matchup’s over/under.

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Samford Performance Insights

• The Bulldogs average 88.8 points per game (fourth in college basketball) while giving up 76.3 per outing (301st in college basketball). They have a +175 scoring differential overall and outscore opponents by 12.5 points per game.
• Samford is 198th in the nation at 32.8 rebounds per game. That’s similar to the 33.1 its opponents average.
• Samford knocks down 12.1 three-pointers per game (third-most in college basketball), 4.2 more than its opponents (7.9).
• The Bulldogs average 104.0 points per 100 possessions on offense (48th in college basketball), and allow 89.4 points per 100 possessions (146th in college basketball).
• Samford has committed 12.4 turnovers per game (261st in college basketball play), 4.1 fewer than the 16.5 it forces on average (fourth in college basketball).

Western Carolina Performance Insights

• The Catamounts are being outscored by 8.0 points per game, with a -97 scoring differential overall. They put up 69.3 points per game (309th in college basketball), and allow 77.3 per outing (315th in college basketball).
• Western Carolina prevails in the rebound battle by an average of 5.0 boards. It records 36.3 rebounds per game (42nd in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 31.3.
• Western Carolina makes 9.1 three-pointers per game (84th in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 9.3. It shoots 29.3% from deep, and its opponents shoot 33.6%.
• Western Carolina loses the turnover battle by 4.7 per game, committing 16.7 (360th in college basketball) while its opponents average 12.0.

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