The Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs take on the High Point Panthers in Johnson City, TN, in the quarterfinals of the Big South Tournament. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
High Point is favored by 25.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -10000. The total is set at 161.5 points.
Here’s my Gardner-Webb vs. High Point predictions and college basketball picks for March 6, 2026.
Gardner-Webb vs High Point Prediction
My Pick: Under 161.5 (Play to 159)
My Gardner-Webb vs High Point best bet is on the under. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Gardner-Webb vs. High Point Odds
| Gardner-Webb Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+25.5 -110 | 161.5 -110o / -110u | +2500 |
| High Point Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-25.5 -110 | 161.5 -110o / -110u | -10000 |
- Gardner-Webb vs High Point spread: High Point -25.5
- Gardner-Webb vs High Point over/under: 161.5 points
- Gardner-Webb vs High Point moneyline: Gardner-Webb +2500, High Point -10000
Gardner-Webb vs High Point College Basketball Betting Preview
Gardner-Webb Basketball
Gardner-Webb has struggled badly through a significant transition in year two under Jeremy Luther. The Runnin’ Bulldogs defeated exactly one Division I opponent during the regular season, the same opponent it defeated on Wednesday in the opening round of the Big South Tournament.
While it's fun to see Gardner-Webb move on, USC Upstate will provide nowhere near the challenges that High Point will. Gardner-Webb routinely sees its opponents put up high point totals, and the Bulldogs have been on the wrong side of blowouts all season.
Jacob Hogarth and Jacob Hudson lead the Runnin' Bulldogs in scoring, averaging 10.5 points per game each. Spence Sims averages 9.9 and four other Runnin’ Bulldogs average at least seven points per night.
The offense is void of a true facilitator and no player has more than 61 total assists this season. This is a poor shooting team that doesn’t rebound well on the offensive glass and doesn’t get to the foul line.
The defense has struggled all season and is one of the least efficient in the country. Gardner-Webb really struggles defending the painted area and doesn’t do well to rebound opponent misses.
Gardner-Webb surrenders second-chance opportunities on 37% of missed shots, and there's no true rim protector down low.
This is a tough matchup against High Point.
High Point Basketball
The Panthers have been the cream of the crop in the Big South this season, with their only blemish in league play being a mid-January road bout against Winthrop.
The roster is filled with versatile scorers who can get to the rim and the foul line regularly.
Terry Anderson leads all scorers, averaging 15.8 points, while Rob Martin scores 14.9 points per night. Martin and Conrad Martinez both have over 100 assists this season, and Cam’Ron Fletcher add another consistent scoring option.
High Point takes care of the ball, it can play fast and it can put it on you in a hurry. In other words, this is a dangerous bunch.
The defense has been the best unit in the conference all season, and the pressure has resulted in High Point turning opponents over at a rate of 22% this season, tops in the Big South.
Owen Aquino is a magnet on the boards, and he leads the Panthers with 54 blocked shots. High Point makes it impossible for its opponents to operate comfortably in the half-court, thanks to its relentless pressure and ability to protect the rim.
Gardner-Webb vs. High Point Betting Analysis
This line opened with High Point pegged as 25.5-point favorites with a total set at 161.5. I like the under here.
High Point is power rated 30 points better than Gardner-Webb, so it would take a cataclysmic effort for the Runnin’ Bulldogs to stay competitive in this game.
High Point gave up 87 points in the last meeting with Gardner-Webb while missing the intensity and effort defensively.
That didn’t sit well with head coach Flynn Clayman, who made mention of his frustration with his team’s effort after the 25-point road win. The very next game, High Point surrendered just 19 first-half points in a blowout over UNC Asheville.
With the possibility of three games in three days, I don’t see a ton of reason for this one to be played at a blazing pace.
I would imagine we see a spirited defensive effort from High Point, which is completely capable of shutting down Gardner-Webb, as we saw in the first matchup, where the Bulldogs scored just 49 points.
Gardner-Webb isn't going to play fast in this matchup, and I doubt very seriously we see this offense have the success it had against USC Upstate on Wednesday. This game should be played at a slower pace than anticipated, and I expect a quicker-moving second half once High Point establishes a comfortable lead.
There are no style points for scoring 100 points against Gardner-Webb, and I could see longer possessions earlier for the Panthers. I think this total is about five points too high, and I think we see the High Point defense show up in a big way.
My Pick: Under 161.5 (Play to 159)
