Winthrop vs High Point Predictions, Picks, Odds and Betting Lines for Big South Title Game
By Chris Amberley in College Basketball
Published:
- High Point is a 6.5-point favorite over Winthrop in Sunday’s Big South Title Game
- The Panthers have won 13 straight games
- See my Winthrop vs High Point picks and predictions below, plus betting lines
The High Point Panthers (28-5, 14-2 Big South) have never qualified for the NCAA Tournament. On Sunday, that could change. The Panthers face the Winthrop Eagles (23-10, 11-5 Big South) in the Big South title game, and online sportsbooks are bullish on High Point in the latest college basketball odds. Tip-off is scheduled for Noon ET at Freedom Hall, in Johnson City, TN, with ESPN2 providing the broadcast coverage.
Winthrop vs High Point Prediction (Big South Title Game)
I’m predicting the cream will rise to the top in this matchup. The Panthers won the Big South regular season crown, and enter on an absolute heater. They’ve won 13 straight games dating back to January 18th, which includes two victories over Sunday’s opponent.
High Point blasted the Eagles 88-66 last month, and 84-62 in late January. They shot 46.5% and 54.5% in those outings, holding Winthrop below 40% from the field each time. Those numbers should come as no surprise to Big South aficionado’s, as the Panthers are the conference’s top offense, and arguably the best defense.
High Point led the Big South in points per game, rebounding, shooting percentage, and three-point makes. They feature three 14+ points per night players, headlined by Kezza Giffa. The Senior guard averages 15 points per game, and scored 25 in the Panthers conference tourney quarterfinal win.
Their semifinal victory was a three-point nail bitter over Radford, but that result was an outlier during their current streak. 10 of High Point’s 13 wins have come by 9+ points. Two of the exceptions were contests versus Radford, while the other they put up 104 points in a victory over UNC Asheville.
Winthrop vs High Point Offensive Ranks
Defensively, the numbers are scary as well if you’re a Winthrop backer. The Panthers yield the lowest shooting percentage in the Big South, are tops on the defensive glass, and third in points allowed.
As for the Eagles, they’re also in good form. They’ve won five in a row, and their only two defeats in their last 12 contests have come versus High Point. Winthrop is the number two seed in the conference tourney, and are seeking a 12th appearance in the March Madness odds in the last 27 years.
The Eagles have won four straight by 9+ points, and have eclipsed 80 points in five consecutive games. Their offense has the ceiling to keep pace with the Panthers, the problem is their defense.
Winthrop surrendered 82 points per game in conference play. They allowed opponents to shot 46% from the field, and 38% from three. Over the last two months, they’ve yielded 90+ points on six separate occasions, and 84+ points in another five contests.
Winthrop vs High Point Pick
- High Point -6.5 (-105) at DraftKings
That’s ultra problematic versus a team like High Point, and one of the main reasons the Panthers -6.5 is my best bet. High Point ranks 23rd in adjusted offensive efficiency, the third highest mark of any non-Power 4 program.
While the Eagles are busy coughing up big games seemingly every other night, the Panthers have allowed only one team to eclipse 77 points during their win streak, and that was an overtime result.
High Point was the Big South regular season champ last year, but were upset in the Conference Championship Game. I’m betting they don’t let that happen again, and they finally earn an NCAA Tournament bid.
Winthrop vs High Point Odds & Betting Lines
The best odds we can get on the Panthers -6.5 in the Winthrop vs High Point betting lines is -105 at DraftKings. Per the college basketball public betting trends, the Panthers have covered in six of their last seven games, beating the spread by an average of 8 points in those contests. High Point is laying -265 on the moneyline in this matchup, while the total currently sits at 161.5
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Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
