The SoCon matchup between the Furman Paladins and the Chattanooga Mocs on Wednesday will be an important test for both programs. Furman enters the game looking to bounce back after having a winning streak snapped in their last outing, while Chattanooga looks to defend its home floor and end a two-game losing streak. These two rivals are very familiar with one another, and this game in McKenzie Arena is expected to come down to the wire. Before tip-off from Tennessee, continue reading to get my Furman vs Chattanooga prediction.
Pick: | Furman -1.5 |
Confidence: | 3/5 |
Add ATS as a Preferred Source on Google
Furman has opened conference play by splitting its first two games. They won their opener against Mercer, but lost an overtime game to Western Carolina in their last outing and will try to get back into the win column here. The Paladins are averaging over 78 points per game and rank near the top of the league in assist rate and effective field goal percentage. Guard Alex Wilkins has emerged as the engine of the offense, leading Furman in scoring at 17.5 points per game while also distributing the ball well with 5.0 assists per game. Furman’s ability to rebound the basketball could set them apart in this contest, as Chattanooga doesn't have a player averaging 5.0 rebounds per game.
Chattanooga has had difficulty sustaining success for 40 minutes at a time. The Mocs enter this contest below .500 overall and winless in conference play, losing their first two league games to VMI and UNC Greensboro. They average just under 77 points per game but have struggled defensively, particularly in transition and on the defensive glass. Jordan Frison remains the focal point of their offense, contributing 14.1 points per game, though he has faced increased defensive attention without consistent scoring help.
Games like this one are so important if a team wants to make a conference championship run later in the season. These teams know that they have Wofford and East Tennessee State coming up later in their conference schedule. Thus, losses in contests like this one could be especially harmful with other tough games on the way soon.
Score Projection: Furman 78 – Chattanooga 74
Win Probability: Furman 62%, Chattanooga 38%
This should be a tight game throughout, but I am going to give a slight edge to the Furman Paladins on the road. I think that rebounding will be a key to this contest, and Furman has a decided advantage in that department with Charles Johnston averaging 9.3 boards per game for the Paladins.
Jay Sanin is the GM and Head of Sports at ATS.io. He has been writing about sports gambling since 2013, handicapping tens of thousands of sporting events. He plays sides and totals aggressively across most sports and is more selective in player prop markets. He does his own modeling across most sports, and his family is jealous of how much time he spends on his precious spreadsheets.
Affiliate Disclosure
ATS.io uses affiliate links. If you sign up through a link on this page, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Rankings are based on hands-on testing and published criteria, and affiliate relationships do not determine placement.