North Florida Ospreys vs UNC Asheville Bulldogs Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our North Florida vs UNC Asheville NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Asheville.

North Florida vs UNC Asheville Prediction

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Ospreys versus the Bulldogs? Tip off is at at 6:30 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Kimmel Arena in Asheville, NC. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 158.5 points, and UNC Asheville is favored by -2 vs. North Florida.

North Florida vs. UNC Asheville Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: North Florida Ospreys at UNC Asheville Bulldogs
Where: Asheville at Kimmel Arena
Date: Tuesday, December 17th
Betting Odds NCASHE -2, NFL +113 | NCASHE -138 O/U 158.5

Ospreys Preview: Can the Ospreys Grab a Win on the Road?

North Florida Ospreys Recent Game/Games

North Florida improved to 5-4 on the season with an 89-77 home win over UNCG on Saturday, December 14th. The Ospreys, who entered the game as -1.5 favorites, covered the spread with the victory.

North Florida led 46-32 at halftime and added 43 points in the 2nd half, while allowing 45 points. The game’s total points of 166 exceeded the O/U line of 148.5.

Ospreys Offense Breakdown

North Florida's offense was firing on all cylinders, putting up 89 points with a 47.8% shooting performance from the field. They connected on 38.7% of their threes, hitting 12 of 31 attempts, and their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 56.5%.

Donovan Atwell led the way with 27 points, shooting 52.6% overall and 44.4% from deep. Jaylen Smith added 21 points and dished out 9 assists, while Nate Lliteras chipped in 20 points, hitting 4 of 7 threes at a 57.1% clip.

Ospreys Team Defense

North Florida's defense gave up 77 points in their last game, with their opponents shooting 47% from the field. They allowed 33 made field goals on 69 attempts.

From two-point range, the Ospreys' opponents shot 55%, hitting 21 of 38 shots. From beyond the arc, they made 12 of 31 attempts, good for 38%. North Florida also sent them to the line 15 times, where they made 11 free throws (73%).

Bulldogs Preview: Does UNC Asheville Have What it Takes to Win as Home Favorites?

UNC Asheville moved to 4-4 on the season with a 78-61 win over Western Carolina on Saturday, December 14th. Playing at home, the Bulldogs were favored by 7 points and covered the spread, while the game’s total points of 139 fell short of the 147 O/U line.

Asheville led 42-33 at halftime and continued their strong play in the 2nd half, outscoring the Catamounts 36-28 to secure the win.

Bulldogs Offense Breakdown

UNC Asheville's offense was efficient in their last game, shooting 52% from the field and posting an effective field goal percentage of 56%. They connected on 56.4% of their two-point attempts and hit 36.4% from beyond the arc, going 4-of-11 from deep. At the free-throw line, they converted 22-of-28 attempts, good for 78.6%.

Josh Banks led the way with 21 points, shooting 69.2% overall and 50% from three. Jordan Marsh added 18 points, hitting 66.7% from three-point range. Marcus Kell was perfect from deep, going 2-for-2, and finished with 11 points on 66.7% shooting overall.

Bulldogs Team Defense

Despite UNC Asheville's defense allowing 61 points, they gave up a high shooting percentage, with the opposing team hitting 52% of their shots (26/50). Inside the arc, the Bulldogs allowed 56% shooting, as the other team made 22 of their 39 two-point attempts.

From beyond the arc, UNC Asheville held their opponent to 4 made threes on 11 attempts, a 36% shooting rate. However, they sent the other team to the free-throw line 28 times, where they converted 22 free throws, shooting 78%. The Bulldogs limited offensive rebounds, giving up just 5.

Ospreys vs Bulldogs Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across the Ospreys last three road games, the team averaged 80 points per game while allowing 89. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-1-1, while going 1-2 straight-up.
Across the Bulldogs last three home games, the team averaged 75 points per game while allowing 80. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-2, while going 1-2 straight-up.
Going back to their previous five games as the underdog, North Florida has an ATS mark of 3-1-1 while going 2-3 straight up.
In their last three games as the betting favorite, the Bulldogs have a strong straight up record of 2-1. In addition, their ATS record was 2-1 in these scenarios.