Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our North Carolina Central vs Gardner-Webb NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Boiling Springs.
North Carolina Central vs Gardner-Webb Prediction
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Eagles versus the Runnin' Bulldogs? Tip off is at at 2:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Paul Porter Arena in Boiling Springs, NC. The odds for this non-conference game currently have Gardner-Webb as the -6 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 146.5 points.
North Carolina Central vs. Gardner-Webb Matchup At A Glance
- Sport: NCAAB
- Teams: North Carolina Central Eagles at Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs
- Where: Boiling Springs at Paul Porter Arena
- Date: Saturday, December 7th
- Betting Odds GARDWB -6, NCC +211 | GARDWB -270 O/U 146.5
Eagles Preview: Is an Upset Waiting to Happen on the Road?
North Carolina Central Eagles Recent Game/Games
The Eagles fell to 1-7 on the season after a 70-67 loss to Radford on Thursday. Playing at home, they entered the game as +3 underdogs and pushed against the spread. The total points for the game were 137, just under the O/U line of 140.5.
North Carolina Central led 31-24 at halftime but allowed 46 points in the 2nd half while scoring 36. This defensive lapse was a key factor in their loss.
Eagles Offense Breakdown
In their last game, North Carolina Central put up 67 points, shooting 44.4% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 50%, and they connected on 65% of their free throws, going 13-for-20 from the line.
Perry Smith Jr. led the way with 20 points and 8 rebounds, hitting 8 of his 11 shots. Josiah Harris added 16 points and 16 boards, while Truth Harris contributed 15 points, knocking down 2 of 4 from three-point range.
Eagles Team Defense
North Carolina Central's defense gave up 70 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 44% from the field. They allowed 18 two-point baskets on 36 attempts, a 50% success rate.
From beyond the arc, the Eagles' defense held their opponents to 6 threes on 18 attempts, a 33% shooting percentage. They also sent them to the line 20 times, where they hit 13 free throws, 65% overall. North Carolina Central gave up 12 offensive rebounds.
Runnin' Bulldogs Preview: Will Gardner-Webb Pull Through as the Favored Home Team?
Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs Recent Game/Games
Gardner-Webb dropped to 4-5 after an 88-64 road loss to Wofford on Wednesday. Entering the game as +5.5 point underdogs, the Bulldogs failed to cover the spread. The total points of 152 exceeded the O/U line of 141.5.
Trailing 42-31 at halftime, Gardner-Webb couldn’t close the gap, scoring 33 points in the 2nd half while allowing 46.
Runnin' Bulldogs Offense Breakdown
Gardner-Webb's offense put up 64 points in their last game, shooting 43.8% from the field. They struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 4 of 19 attempts for a 21.1% three-point shooting percentage, while their effective field goal percentage stood at 47.9%.
Jeremy Lorenz led the way, going 7-for-8 from the field, including 2-for-3 from three-point range. Kyler Filewich and Jamaine Mann each added 15 points, with Filewich grabbing 9 rebounds and dishing out 3 assists.
Runnin' Bulldogs Team Defense
Gardner-Webb's defense struggled, giving up 88 points on 58% shooting from the field. Their opponents hit 64% of their two-point attempts, going 22/34.
From beyond the arc, Gardner-Webb allowed 12 threes on 24 attempts, a 50% clip. They also sent their opponents to the line 10 times, where they made 8 free throws.
Eagles vs Runnin' Bulldogs Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis
- Although North Carolina Central has a straight up record of 3-7 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 6-3-1. The team averaged 75 points per game in these games.
- Across the Runnin' Bulldogs last three home games, the team averaged 72 points per game while allowing 78. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-2, while going 1-2 straight-up.
- Looking back on the team's last ten games as the underdog, the Eagles have a straight up record of 2-8. Their record vs the spread in these games was 5-3-2.
- Across their last five matchups as the betting favorite, the Runnin' Bulldogs have an overall record of 5-0 while going 2-3 against the spread.
North Carolina Central vs Gardner-Webb Prediction & Free Pick
- KnupSports.com Free Betting Prediction: Gardner-Webb -6 Be sure to check out our other NCAA Basketball betting previews for this week. KnupSports.com also updates their sports betting picks page daily with plays across all sports.