Mercer Bears vs Winthrop Eagles NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/21/24
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Bears versus the Eagles? Tip off is at at 2:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Winthrop Coliseum in Rock Hill, SC. The odds for this non-conference game currently have Winthrop as the -8.5 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 158.5 points.
MERCER BEARS VS WINTHROP EAGLES BETTING PICK
The Pick: Winthrop Eagles -8.5
This game will be played at Winthrop Coliseum at 2:00 ET on Saturday, December 21st.
WHY BET THE WINTHROP EAGLES:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 80-67 in favor of the Eagles.
- Not only will Winthrop pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -8.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 158.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.
Can the Bears Lock in a Win at Rock Hill?
Mercer Bears Recent Game/Games
Mercer dropped to 4-5 on the season after a 73-66 road loss to Queens (NC) on Wednesday. The Bears entered the game as +1 underdogs and failed to cover the spread.
Mercer trailed 30-29 at halftime and allowed 43 points in the 2nd half while scoring 37. The game’s total points of 139 fell short of the 160.5 O/U line.
Mercer’s offense struggled from the field in their last game, shooting just 37.9% overall and 16% from three-point range, hitting only 4 of 25 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 40.9%, and they managed 7 assists as a team.
Alex Holt led the way with 19 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 58.3% from the field. Nasir Mann added 15 points in 17 minutes, hitting 1 of 2 from beyond the arc.
Despite Mercer’s defensive efforts, they allowed 73 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 40% from the field. Mercer held them to 39% shooting on two-point attempts, as they went 15/38 inside the arc.
From three-point range, the opposition shot 42%, hitting 8 of 19 attempts. Mercer also sent them to the free-throw line 24 times, where they converted 19 free throws for 79%. The Bears gave up 9 offensive rebounds.
Will Winthrop Find a Way to Win at Home?
Winthrop fell to 6-4 on the season after an 82-64 road loss to Florida State on Tuesday. The Eagles entered the game as +11 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread.
Winthrop trailed 45-27 at halftime but played the Seminoles evenly in the 2nd half, with both teams scoring 37 points. The game’s total points of 146 fell short of the O/U line of 159.5.
Winthrop’s offense struggled in their last game, shooting just 29.4% from the field and 25% from three-point range, finishing with an effective field goal percentage of 35.3%. They managed 64 points, with 14 offensive rebounds and 10 assists.
Malique Ewin was a standout, shooting 66.7% and grabbing 15 rebounds, while Bryce Baker hit 6 threes at a 50% rate. Jamir Watkins contributed 23 points and 4 assists, despite shooting 42.9% overall.
Winthrop’s defense gave up 82 points on 50% shooting from the field, as their opponent hit 31 of 61 attempts. Inside the arc, the Eagles allowed 24 baskets on 41 tries, a 58% conversion rate.
From three-point range, Winthrop’s defense saw their opponent make 7 of 20 shots, good for 35%. They also sent the other team to the line 17 times, where they made 13 free throws, shooting 76%. Winthrop allowed 16 offensive rebounds in the game.