College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions for Furman vs. Wofford (Saturday, Jan. 22)
Grant Halverson/Getty Images. Pictured: Jalen Slawson.
- The Furman Paladins and Wofford Terriers will take the court in a Southern Conference college basketball matchup on Saturday night.
- The teams are separated by just one game in the conference standings, as Furman sits at 5-2, while Wofford comes in at 4-3.
- Kyle Remillard breaks down the game and dishes out his top betting pick below.
Furman vs. Wofford Odds
| Furman Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 143.5 -102o / -120u | +108 |
| Wofford Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 143.5 -102o / -120u | -130 |
If you’re a fan of 3-point contests, then be sure to tune in to this Southern Conference matchup between Furman and Wofford.
Both programs take over half of their field-goal attempts from behind the arc. Furman has taken the second most three-point attempts in the nation and hits at a 38% clip. Wofford isn’t far behind, ranking 25th in 3-point attempts per game while converting at 36%.
With both defenses not particularly strong at defending outside shot attempts there is value on the total in this matchup.
Furman Paladins
Head coach Bob Richey believes in an offensive system of 3s or layups, with no in-between. Over 50% of the team's shot attempts come from behind the arc, which is fourth-most in the nation. On those attempts, the Paladins connect on an astonishing 38%, which ranks 17th in the country.
Furman has five players who have taken 50 or more three-point shots this season, with all but one of them converting at a 37% or better clip.
The Paladins have a triple-threat of seniors in Mike Bothwell, Alex Hunter and Jalen Slawson. All three of them are averaging 15 points per game this season. Hunter has connected on 72-of-171 3-point attempts this season, which is the second most of any player in the country.
The experienced group has assisted on 63% of its made buckets this season, which ranks among the top 10 in the nation. That cohesion has them doing all the little things right such as taking care of the basketball.
The Paladins sacrifice a bit on the defensive end to keep all the shooters on the floor at one time. The group ranks 174th in defensive efficiency ranking while letting up over 70 points per game. They’ve struggled at defending 2-point attempts, allowing opponents to hit over 52%.
Wofford Terriers
Wofford plays to a similar style as Furman with its three-ball-or-layup mentality. Over 49% of the shot attempts come from behind the arc for the Terriers, and they hit at a 36% clip.
More impressively, the group ranks 12th in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage, hitting over 57%. That’s due to the impeccable shot selection that Jay McAuley has instilled in his program.
The Terriers have a well-balanced offensive attack with eight players averaging six points or more. B.J. Mack is the leader of the bunch putting up 16 per game. The 6-foot-8 forward is hitting 49% from behind the arc while doing most of his damage inside the paint.
Max Klesmit, Isaiah Bigelow and Ryan Larson are the main 3-point bombers for the Terriers. Each one has taken over 90 attempts from outside this season, and they are hitting at a combined 37% clip.
The defense has been non-existent for Wofford this season, ranking outside the top-300 in both 2-point and 3-point percentages. That’s a major concern against a team like Furman who has terrific ball movement until it finds a quality shot.
Furman vs. Wofford Betting Pick
Though neither team plays at a particularly fast pace, they both are incredibly efficient offensively.
The two offenses will spread the floor in search of an open three, which they hit at an astounding clip. That spacing creates easy driving lanes which contributes to both offenses ranking inside the top-60 in adjusted efficiency.
Combine that with two defenses that have struggled, ranking outside the top-140 in defensive efficiency, and we have all the ingredients for an over. Wofford has let opponents do whatever they want offensively.
The Terriers defense ranks outside the top-300 in both 2-point and 3-point defense. Meanwhile, Furman allows its opponents to hit 62% of its shot attempts at the rim, according to Hoop-Math.
Furman games flew over the total early in the first month of the season. The Paladins didn’t see an under hit until its 11th game of the season. That trend is set to continue in this matchup against a Wofford squad that has been putrid defending this season.
Pick: Over 143.5 (Play to 146)
How would you rate this article?
Follow Us On Social
