UNC Greensboro looks to extend its winning streak to four games and improve to 10-6 overall and 3-0 in Southern Conference play on this road trip. Chattanooga will be playing its first home game since Dec. 18.
The Mocs (9-6, 1-1) are coming off an 81-68 win over The Citadel but dropped their first conference game in an overtime loss to Mercer.
These teams split their meetings against each other last season with the road team winning both contests. I think backing the road team might be the best spot to take in this matchup, as well.
UNC Greensboro at Chattanooga Betting Odds
Chattanooga is a 3.5-point college basketball odds favorite on BetMGM against UNC Greensboro while the Over/Under is at 142.5.
The Moneyline for Chattanooga is at -165 and at +140 for UNC Greensboro.
UNC Greensboro at Chattanooga On TV
The matchup between UNC Greensboro and Chattanooga will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
Tonight’s game tips off at 5 p.m. ET.
UNC Greensboro at Chattanooga Prediction
I predict that this game will go Under 142.5 points. I also predict UNC Greensboro will cover the 3.5-point spread as an underdog.
The Spartans play at one of the slowest paces in the country with an adjusted tempo of 65.2, according to KenPom. That ranks 331st.
Not only do they slow the game down, but they’re also playing great defense so far this season.
UNC Greensboro has the best scoring defense in the conference, allowing just 63.6 points per game while their opponents’ effective field-goal percentage is just 46.7%, which ranks 45th in the country. The Spartans are only allowing opponents to shoot 29% from 3-point range.
Meanwhile, they’re shooting 44.8% from 3 over the last two games and the Mocs are allowing their conference opponents to shoot at a 45% clip from outside — the worst 3-point defense in the league.
I like the Spartans to continue knocking down shots against a team that isn’t guarding the 3-point line well right now. Radford transfer Kenyon Giles is one of the best offensive players in the conference, and I don’t anticipate anybody on Chattanooga slowing him down. Giles is averaging 16.6 points per game and shooting 47% from the field and 45% from outside.
Despite the efficient shooting, the Spartans aren’t a potent offense and have scored more than 80 points just four times. The Mocs aren’t an intimidating defense, however, and are allowing 72.2 PPG.
One thing that Chattanooga does well is knock down free throws, but they hardly get to the free-throw line. It has shot just 43 free throws over the past four games. I don’t see them attacking the rim and drawing fouls here against a Spartans defense that will be more physical.
Chattanooga is also the worst offensive-rebounding team in the conference, meaning second-chance opportunities aren’t likely. The Mocs will need to take advantage of initial opportunities, but the Spartans should be forcing them into tough shots.
With the Spartans’ ability to control the tempo and win the rebounding battle, I expect this game to fall into their style of play and for them to keep it close in a relatively low-scoring affair.
The Spartans are 4-1 against the spread this season as an underdog and the total has gone over just once in Chattanooga’s home games.
