Western Carolina vs Mercer Prediction 3/7/25 College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Western Carolina vs Mercer Prediction for this college basketball game on Friday, March 7th, at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:

-The Catamounts’ recent form and recent player performance 

-The  Bears’ recent form and recent player performance

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Western Carolina

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Mercer

-Recent betting trends in games played between Western Carolina and Mercer

-A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Catamounts and Bears. 

This is a Southern Conference Tournament. Mercer sits as the eighth seed, while Western Carolina is ranked ninth. These two teams just faced off on March 1st and it was Mercer that secured the 81-69 victory. 

Can Western Carolina Bounce Back?

Western Carolina can’t have a lick of confidence right now. Not only have they struggled this season, they were awful in the last game against Mercer. They were down 36-28 at halftime, and in the second half, they couldn’t bounce back. The defense gave up 45 points in the second half, and they need the defense to be much better. Bernard Pelote was the top offensive player, putting up 17 points, five rebounds, and one assist. Marcus Kell also put up 15 points and 11 rebounds. 

Western Carolina sits with an 8-21 record overall, and they have only gone 10-17 against the spread. As the underdog, they have gone only 3-20. Western Carolina averages 69.8 points while the defense gives up 79.4 points per game. The offense hasn’t been good enough, but with how the defense has played, they haven’t been given much of a shot to keep up. Bernard Pelote has been the top player, averaging 14.3 points while shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from behind the three-point line. 

Mercer Has Confidence

Mercer has all kinds of confidence heading into this game after what they did to Western Carolina in the last game. Mercer scored 81 points, and they are going to need to continue that success with the scoring. In the first half, the defense gave up only 28 points, and in the second half, the offense scored 45 points on the way to the easy victory. Ahmad Robinson got whatever shots he wanted all night and he finished with 28 points, five rebounds, and three assists. There were four different players that put up at least 11 points. 

Mercer has an overall record of 13-18 and a record of 14-14-1 against the spread. They want to keep the pace, and they are averaging 76.9 points while their defense is giving up 75.6 points per game. The offense is ranked 98th in the league, and they will need to put up the pressure here. Ahmad Robinson has been the top player, averaging 16.9 points, shooting 43 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from behind the three-point line. 

Why Mercer Will Beat Western Carolina

• Mercer has won each of its last nine Friday games played at neutral venues.
• Western Carolina has lost each of its last seven Friday games against the Southern Conference.
• Mercer has won the first half in each of its last seven Friday games played at neutral venues.

Western Carolina vs Mercer Prediction

We know that Mercer knows how to beat Western Carolina, and it’s going to be much of the same. Here. Mercer’s offense is averaging 76.9 points, and they are going to have no issue running up the score here. The Bears are 8-1 against the spread in their last nine games as a favorite of 7.0-12.5. Western Carolina’s defense is giving up 79.4 points per game and will give up even more than that here. Mercer’s defense hasn’t been elite, but they get to face off against a bad Western Carolina offense here. Mercer’s offense is too balanced, and they will cover the spread. 

Shane Mickle's Pick: Mercer -6.5