Tip off: 7 PM EST
Spread: EC -5
Total: 141
M/L: EC -230, UNC-G +190
Odds taken from Bookmaker
EAST CAROLINA
Last season would be a mediocre one by most programs’ standards, but by East Carolina’s it was a success. They fought to be relevant in the Conference USA, posting an 8-8 record in conference play, and they even made the CIT quarterfinals, where they lost by 17 to Santa Clara.
They had never won more than five games in the league and had also never won a C-USA tournament game. Their trip to the CIT was their first postseason trip since 1993 and the only thing they did remarkably well was get to the line. Darrius Morrow set school records in single game free throw attempts (21) and single season makes and attempts. He averaged 22 ppg and 13 rpg in the conference tournament and in the school’s first ever victory over Memphis, he put up 25 pts and 14 rbs.
This season hasn’t been quite as good for Morrow, as he is averaging only 12.5 points per game, but teammate Miguel Paul is putting up 16.1 per game and 5.6 assists per game for the 4-4 Pirates who average 70 points per game. They also are a strong rebounding team with 40 rebounds per game, while doing it by committee. No Pirate averages more than 6.5 rebounds per game (Robert Sampson gets 6.5 per game in only 20 minutes a night).
UNC-Greensboro
UNC Greensboro was absolutely dreadful last season. The Spartans finished 7-24, but won only one non-conference game and they lost to Western Carolina by 11 in the Southern Conf. quarterfinals. They didn’t win their first game last season until mid-January and at that point they were 1-15, so they did win 6 of their last 15 games, which is good enough to say they were .400 over the last stretch of the season, and thus almost respectable.
They had a surprise win over Davidson in the Conference tournament and the loss to Western Carolina was expected. Their only significant loss was senior Brandon Evans, while returning 6’10 senior Aloysius Henry and 6’4″ sophomore Trevis Simpson. So far, Henry is off to a slow start, seeing only 14 minutes a game, while Simpson is the leading scorer with 15.2 points per night. In fact, Simpson is the only Spartan even averaging more than 8 a game, and they must score more than 64 a game to be a competitive team in any conference.
At 2-8, the Spartans don’t offer much hope, and while winning the game may not be a winning proposition, they may be able to cover the five point spread. If you feel confident backing that bet, or the other, you may feel inclined to check out Bookmaker, where they offer a 5% return on lost bets. Also, consider a paid pick plan from Maddux Sports as we dominate the Bookies once again!
