Western Carolina vs East Tennessee State Prediction 3/8/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Western Carolina Catamounts and the East Tennessee State Buccaneers meet Sunday in college basketball action from the Harrah’s Cherokee Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Western Carolina Catamounts vs. East Tennessee State Buccaneers prediction.

Western Carolina Catamounts Recap

The Western Carolina Catamounts come into this game looking to add on to their 77-73 win over Mercer last time out.

Catamounts Looking To Keep Run Going

Cord Stansberry leads the Catamounts in scoring with 14.1 PPG and 3.9 RPG along with 2.1 APG while Marcus Kell has 13.5 PPG with 4.9 RPG and Julien Soumaoro has 11.8 PPG with 3.2 RPG and 2.3 APG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Western Carolina so far this season. Samuel Dada also has a team-high 7.6 RPG to lead the Catamounts in rebounding while Tidjiane Dioumassi also has a team-high 2.8 APG to lead Western Carolina in assists. As a team, Western Carolina is averaging 78.8 PPG on 44.7% shooting from the field, 33.5% from three and 71.4% from the foul line this season.

Why the Western Carolina Catamounts will win

– Western Carolina has won each of its last seven games.
– Western Carolina has won the first half in each of its last seven games.

East Tennessee State Buccaneers Recap

The East Tennessee State Buccaneers come into this game looking to add on to their 83-76 win over the Citadel last time out.

Buccaneers Looking To Return To SoCon Title Game

Blake Barkley leads the Buccaneers in scoring and rebounding with 14.5 PPG and 5.8 RPG wihle Brian Taylor has 14.4 PPG with 3.9 RPG and 3 APG. Cam Morris III has 13.7 PPG with 5.3 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for ETSU so far this season. Jaylen Smith also has 9 PPG with 2.6 RPG and 2.9 APG and Jordan McCullum has 8.4 PPG with 3.7 RPG while Allen Strothers has a team-high 3.1 APG to lead East Tennessee State in assists. As a team, East Tennessee State is averaging 78.4 PPG on 48.9% shooting from the field, 34.6% from three and 75.3% from the foul line this season. 

Why the East Tennessee State Buccaneers will win

– East Tennessee State has won each of its last six Sunday games.
– Western Carolina has lost four of its last five games played at neutral venues.
– East Tennessee State has won the first half in nine of its last 12 day games.

Total Points Facts

– Each of East Tennessee State’s last six day games have produced a total of 151+ points.
– Five of Western Carolina’s last six games have produced a total of 150+ points.

Western Carolina Catamounts vs. East Tennessee State Buccaneers Prediction

I’m on the Catamounts and the points here. Western Carolina has been chippy in this tournament, and I think the Catamounts could be in some trouble here if they were having issues getting by the Citadel of all teams. I think WCU is live to win this game, so give me the Catamounts here.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Western Carolina +3.5