USC Upstate Spartans vs Western Carolina Catamounts Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our USC Upstate vs Western Carolina NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Cullowhee.

USC Upstate vs Western Carolina Prediction

The Spartans and Catamounts are set to face off at 3:00 ET on ESPN+. The Catamounts will host the game at Ramsey Center in Cullowhee, NC. The over/under for this game is set at 159.5 points, and Western Carolina is favored by -8.5 against USC Upstate in a non-conference matchup.

USC Upstate vs. Western Carolina Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: USC Upstate Spartans at Western Carolina Catamounts
Where: Cullowhee at Ramsey Center
Date: Saturday, December 7th
Betting Odds WCAR -8.5, SCUP +310 | WCAR -400 O/U 159.5

Spartans Preview: No Pressure for USC Upstate as Away Dogs

The Spartans fell to 0-8 on the season after a 73-51 road loss to Coastal Carolina on Saturday. Entering the game as +6 underdogs, USC Upstate not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 124 fell short of the 147.5 O/U line.

USC Upstate trailed 29-26 at halftime but struggled in the 2nd half, scoring just 25 points while allowing 44.

Spartans Offense Breakdown

USC Upstate's offense struggled in their last game, scoring just 51 points while shooting 33.3% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was also 33.3%, as they missed all 16 of their three-point attempts.

They managed 6 offensive rebounds and only 4 assists in the game. Joshua Meo and Jordan Battle each scored 13 points, with Meo hitting 2 of 3 from beyond the arc.

Spartans Team Defense

USC Upstate's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 73 points while allowing the opposing team to shoot 52% from the field. The Spartans had difficulty defending inside, as the other team made 20 of 34 two-point attempts, shooting 58%.

From beyond the arc, USC Upstate allowed 9 threes on 21 attempts, with the other team shooting 42% from three-point range. The Spartans sent the opposing team to the line 10 times, where they made 6 free throws.

Catamounts Preview: Can the Catamounts Lock in a Home Win?

Western Carolina picked up their first win of the season, moving to 1-4 after an 86-74 victory over Bellarmine on Wednesday. The Catamounts, who were -5 favorites, covered the spread in the win.

After a 43-43 tie at halftime, Western Carolina clamped down defensively, allowing just 31 points in the 2nd half while scoring 43 of their own. The game’s total points of 160 went over the O/U line of 146.

Catamounts Offense Breakdown

Western Carolina put up 86 points in their last game, shooting 48.4% from the field and hitting 40.6% of their threes, connecting on 13 of 32 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 59.4%, with a 56.2% success rate on two-point shots.

Cord Stansberry and Ben Johnson both scored 24 points, each shooting 53.3% from the field. Stansberry added 4 assists, while Johnson hit 5 threes at a 45.5% clip. The Catamounts grabbed 13 offensive rebounds and finished with 14 assists as a team.

Catamounts Team Defense

Western Carolina's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 74 points on 48% shooting from the field. They allowed 31 made baskets on 64 attempts.

Inside the arc, their opponents shot 56%, hitting 18 of 32 two-point attempts. From three-point range, they went 13/32, good for 40%. Western Carolina also sent them to the line 18 times, where they made 11 free throws, shooting 61%. The Catamounts gave up 13 offensive rebounds.

Spartans vs Catamounts Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Although USC Upstate has a straight up record of 2-8 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 5-5. The team averaged 72 points per game in these games.
Through their last ten home games, Western Carolina has an ATS record of just 5-5. However, their overall record was 2-8 while averaging 68 points per game.
The last ten games that USC Upstate was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 4-6 while going 0-10 straight up.
The last ten games that Western Carolina was favored, they have an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 7-3 straight up.