Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs South Florida Bulls NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/18/24

Looking to win big? The Wildcats and Bulls face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Bulls are hosting the game at Yuengling Center in Tampa, FL. The over/under for this game is set at 144.5 points, and South Florida is favored by -12.5 against Bethune-Cookman in a non-conference matchup.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN WILDCATS VS SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Bethune-Cookman Wildcats +12.5

This game will be played at Yuengling Center at 7:00 ET on Wednesday, December 18th.

WHY BET THE BETHUNE-COOKMAN WILDCATS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 79-68 in favor of the Bulls.
• Even though we have South Florida winning straight-up, we like Bethune-Cookman at +12.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 144.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.

Are Bethune-Cookman Ready for a Road Win?

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Recent Game

Bethune-Cookman dropped to 2-8 on the season after an 84-61 road loss to West Virginia on Saturday. The Wildcats entered the game as +23.5 point underdogs but managed to cover the spread.

Bethune-Cookman trailed 41-30 at halftime and were outscored 43-31 in the second half. The combined points of 145 went over the pre-game O/U line of 137.5.

Bethune-Cookman’s offense struggled in their last game, scoring just 61 points while shooting 36.1% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 39.3%, and they connected on only 22.2% of their three-point attempts, hitting 4 of 18 from deep.

Javon Small led the way with 27 points, shooting 46.7% overall and 50% from three-point range. Amani Hansberry was efficient as well, shooting 66.7% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc, contributing 16 points.

Despite Bethune-Cookman allowing 84 points, they struggled defensively, giving up 46% shooting from the field. Their opponents hit 53% of their two-point attempts, going 17/32.

From beyond the arc, Bethune-Cookman allowed 10 threes on 26 attempts, a 38% clip. They also sent the other team to the line 22 times, where they converted 90% of their free throws.

Are South Florida Ready for a Home Win?

South Florida fell to 5-5 on the season after an 88-67 road loss to Utah State on Saturday. The Bulls entered the game as +16.5 point underdogs and didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points ended at 155, exactly matching the over/under line.

USF trailed 37-31 at halftime but struggled defensively in the 2nd half, allowing 51 points while scoring 36.

In their latest game, South Florida put up 67 points, shooting 46.2% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 53.8%, and they connected on 80% of their free throws, going 12-for-15 from the line.

Mason Falslev led the way with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, hitting 3 of 6 from three-point range and shooting 55.6% overall. Quincy Ademokoya was efficient from deep, knocking down 3 of 4 threes and finishing with 12 points on 66.7% shooting.

South Florida’s defense struggled, giving up 88 points on 50% shooting from the field. They allowed 63% shooting on two-point attempts, with the opposing team hitting 26 of 41 shots inside the arc.

From three-point range, South Florida held their opponent to 26% shooting, with just 6 made threes on 23 attempts. However, they sent the other team to the free-throw line 21 times, where they converted 18 free throws, shooting 85%.