Central Arkansas Bears vs Citadel Bulldogs Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Citadel vs Central Arkansas NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Conway.

Citadel vs Central Arkansas Prediction

Don't miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Bulldogs and Bears. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on ESPN+, and it's hosted by the Bears at Farris Center in Conway, AR. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 138.5 points, and Central Arkansas is favored by -3.5 at home against Citadel.

Citadel vs. Central Arkansas Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Citadel Bulldogs at Central Arkansas Bears
Where: Conway at Farris Center
Date: Monday, December 16th
Betting Odds CARK -3.5, CITA +145 | CARK -178 O/U 138.5

Bulldogs Preview: Will Citadel Secure A Victory as Road Underdogs?

Citadel Bulldogs Recent Game/Games

The Bulldogs fell to 1-4 on the season after an 86-58 home loss to Campbell on Thursday. Citadel entered the game as +1 underdogs but failed to cover the spread.

After trailing 39-33 at halftime, Citadel managed just 25 points in the 2nd half while allowing 47. The total points for the game reached 144, exceeding the pre-game O/U line of 137.

Bulldogs Offense Breakdown

The Citadel Bulldogs struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 58 points with a field goal percentage of 41.8%. Their effective field goal percentage was 47.3%, and they hit only 5 of 24 three-point attempts, shooting 20.8% from beyond the arc. At the free-throw line, they made 7 of 12 attempts, shooting 58.3%.

Nolan Dorsey led the Bulldogs with 19 points and 5 assists, hitting 3 of 8 from three-point range. Caleb Zurliene added 14 points in just 12 minutes, shooting 71.4% overall and 66.7% from deep. Terren Frank contributed 13 points and 9 rebounds, while Colby Duggan and Jasin Sinani each added 12 points, with Sinani also grabbing 7 rebounds.

Bulldogs Team Defense

Despite the Citadel Bulldogs giving up 86 points, they held their opponent to 41% shooting from the field, including 20% from beyond the arc, where they hit just 5 of 24 three-point attempts. Inside the arc, the opposing team found more success, converting 58% of their two-point shots, going 18/31.

From the free-throw line, the Bulldogs sent their opponent to the stripe 12 times, where they made 7, shooting 58%. Citadel also gave up 9 offensive rebounds in the game.

Bears Preview: Can Central Arkansas Pull Off a Home Win?

Central Arkansas Bears Recent Game/Games

Central Arkansas fell to 1-8 on the season after an 82-57 home loss to the Razorbacks on Saturday. The Bears were +28 point underdogs going into the game but managed to cover the spread.

After trailing 46-28 at halftime, Central Arkansas scored 29 points in the 2nd half while allowing 36. The game’s total points (139) fell under the O/U line of 147.5.

Bears Offense Breakdown

Central Arkansas struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 57 points with a 33.3% shooting performance from the field. They hit only 25% from beyond the arc, connecting on 7 of 28 attempts, and their effective field goal percentage was 40.7%. The Bears managed 8 assists and 6 offensive rebounds in the contest.

Boogie Fland led the way with 16 points and 9 assists, shooting 63.6% from the field and 50% from three-point range. Jonas Aidoo was perfect from the field, going 6 for 6, while D.J. Wagner knocked down 3 of 4 from deep, finishing with 13 points and 6 assists.

Bears Team Defense

Despite giving up 82 points, Central Arkansas held their opponent to just 33% shooting from the field, including 42% on two-point attempts. They also limited their opponent's effectiveness from beyond the arc, with the opposing team hitting only 7 of 28 three-point shots for 25%.

Central Arkansas sent their opponent to the free-throw line 18 times, where they converted 14 attempts for 77%. The Bears also did a solid job on the boards, allowing just 6 offensive rebounds.

Bulldogs vs Bears Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across the Bulldogs last ten road games, the team averaged 67 points per game while allowing 77. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 5-5, while going 0-10 straight-up.
Through their last ten home contests, the Bears offense has averaged 65 points per game while allowing an average of 78. Central Arkansas posted an overall record of 1-9 while going 7-3 ATS.
Looking back on the team's last three games as the underdog, the Bulldogs have a straight up record of 0-3. Their record vs the spread in these games was 1-2.
Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Bears have a straight up record of 4-6. But, their mark vs the spread was just 4-6.