Gardner-Webb Bulldogs vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Prediction, 12/10/2020 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Gardner-Webb Bulldogs vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Date: Thursday, December 10, 2020

Location: E. A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, KY

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Gardner-Webb (+17)

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3-2) host the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs (16-16 last season) at E. A. Diddle Arena on Thursday. Gardner-Webb opens this matchup as 17-point underdogs. The O/U opens at 143.

Gardner-Webb heads into this contest after finishing with a win-loss mark of 16-16 last year. They averaged 72.4 points per outing (177th in the nation) while shooting 44.8% from the floor. The Bulldogs shot 36.0% on 3-point shots (254 of 706) and 69.4% from the charity stripe. As a group, Gardner-Webb pulled down 34.9 boards per contest and accumulated 438 assists throughout last season, which had them ranked 1st in the country in terms of passing. They turned the ball over 12.5 times per game and as a team committed 16.3 personal fouls per game. Defensively, the Bulldogs were able to force their opponents into 12.5 turnovers every game and they drew 16.8 personal fouls. They gave up 33.3% on 3-point attempts and they were 176th in college hoops in points per game allowed (71.0). The Bulldogs defense allowed a field goal percentage of 42.2% (797 of 1,890) and they conceded 35.3 rebounds per contest as a basketball team. They were 309th in Division 1 in giving up assists with 446 conceded last year.

The Gardner-Webb Bulldogs faced the Winthrop Eagles and took a loss by a final of 78-66 in their last contest. Gardner-Webb finished the contest having earned a 38.6% FG percentage (22 of 57) and converted 7 out of their 23 three-point shots. From the free throw line, the Bulldogs made 15 of 19 shots for a percentage of 78.9%. In the matter of pulling down boards, they collected 27 with 6 of them being of the offensive variety. They also distributed 8 dimes for the game as well as getting 4 steals and 3 blocked shots. Regarding defending, Gardner-Webb allowed 38.6% from the floor on 22 out of 57. Winthrop earned 11 assists and 3 steals for the matchup. Moreover, the Eagles collected 34 rebounds (6 offensive, 28 defensive) and added 3 blocks. Winthrop finished the game shooting 64.5% at the free throw line by converting 20 of 31 attempts. They also made 8 of their 22 shots from beyond the arc.

Jaheam Cornwall is a player who was a major contributor in this game. He left the arena with 24 points on 8 out of 19 shooting. He played for 39 minutes and snagged 3 boards. Cornwall finished the contest at 42.1% from the floor and also totaled 2 dimes. Someone else that played big minutes in this game for the Bulldogs was Eric Jamison. He snagged 5 rebounds and also tallied 2 dimes. He finished the contest at 44.4% from the floor for the matchup by shooting 4-of-9 (14 points). When the final whistle was blown, Jamison saw the court for 37 min.

Western Kentucky has a win-loss mark of 3-2 for the year. Western Kentucky has scored 382 pts on the campaign (76.4 per game) and they average 39.2 rebounds per contest. The Hilltoppers are responsible for committing 15.8 personal fouls per contest and they shoot 75.2% from the charity stripe. As an offensive team, the Hilltoppers are shooting 45.4% from the field, which ranks them 178th in the nation. They are assisting teammates 13.4 times per contest (179th in Division 1) and they are turning it over 13.8 times per contest. The Hilltoppers defensively are ranked 212th in college basketball in points given up per game with 74.0. The Western Kentucky defense allows 43.5% on shots from behind the 3-point line (54 of 124) and opponents are knocking down 76.7% of their free throw attempts. They have conceded 14.4 assists and 30.6 boards per game, which is 217th and 43rd in those categories. They are forcing their opponents into 13.4 TO's per game and have let teams shoot 43.8% from the floor (194th in the country).

When they last played, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers walked away with a victory by a final of 96-69 when they played the MVSU Delta Devils. The Hilltoppers were able to corral 30 defensive boards and 19 offensive boards for a total of 49 in this matchup. They also blocked 6 attempts while recording 9 steals in this contest. The Delta Devils were called for 22 fouls in this matchup which took the Hilltoppers to the free throw line for a total of 31 tries. They were able to bury 22 of the free throw tries for a clip of 71.0%. With respect to shooting from 3-point land, Western Kentucky converted 8 out of their 26 tries (30.8%). When the final whistle blew, the Hilltoppers shot 33 for 68 from the field which gave them a shooting percentage of 48.5%. The Hilltoppers allowed the Delta Devils to convert 23 of 56 tries from the field which left them shooting 41.1% in the game. They went 34.3% from three-point range by shooting 12 of 35 and ended up going 11 out of 12 at the charity stripe (91.7%). When talking about cleaning up the glass, Western Kentucky permitted MVSU to grab 19 in all (2 on the offensive side).

Charles Bassey ended up being important for the Hilltoppers for the game. He made 6 of 6 in the matchup for a rate of 100.0%, which gave him 13 points. Bassey collected 11 rebounds in his 20 minutes and added 2 dimes for this game. An additional guy who saw a lot of action for Western Kentucky was Taveion Hollingsworth. He notched 16 points in 23 minutes played via 5 out of 7 from the floor for the game. Hollingsworth wrapped this one up going 71.4% from the floor while also collecting 3 assists and 2 rebounds.

Who will win tonight's college basketball game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Gardner-Webb (+17)

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