Wednesday’s contest features the East Tennessee State Buccaneers (8-7, 1-1 SoCon) and the Mercer Bears (9-6, 2-0 SoCon) clashing at Hawkins Arena (on January 8) at 7:00 PM ET. This matchup, according to our computer prediction, will result in a 78-74 win for East Tennessee State.

Based on our computer prediction, East Tennessee State is projected to cover the point spread (2.5) against Mercer. The two sides are projected to fall short of the 153.5 total.

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East Tennessee State vs. Mercer Game Info & Odds

• Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2025
• Time: 7:00 PM ET
• TV: ESPN+
• Live stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
• Where: Macon, Georgia
• Venue: Hawkins Arena
• Line: East Tennessee State -2.5
• Point total: 153.5
• Moneyline (to win): East Tennessee State -158, Mercer +128

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East Tennessee State vs. Mercer Score Prediction

• Prediction:
  East Tennessee State 78, Mercer 74

Spread & Total Prediction for East Tennessee State vs. Mercer

• Pick ATS: East Tennessee State (-2.5)
• Pick OU: Under (153.5)

East Tennessee State has a 4-8-0 record against the spread so far this season compared to Mercer, who is 8-5-0 ATS. In terms of hitting the over, games involving the Buccaneers are 6-6-0 and the Bears are 7-6-0. The two teams score an average of 158.7 points per game, 5.2 more points than this matchup’s total. East Tennessee State is 4-6 against the spread and 6-4 overall over its last 10 games, while Mercer has gone 7-3 against the spread and 7-3 overall.

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East Tennessee State Performance Insights

• The Buccaneers’ +111 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by 7.4 points per game) is a result of scoring 75.8 points per game (177th in college basketball) while allowing 68.4 per outing (100th in college basketball).
• The 33.7 rebounds per game East Tennessee State averages rank 142nd in the nation, and are 3.2 more than the 30.5 its opponents collect per outing.
• East Tennessee State hits 9.4 three-pointers per game (56th in college basketball), 2.7 more than its opponents (6.7). It is shooting 36.1% from beyond the arc (80th in college basketball) while allowing opponents to shoot 32.4%.
• The Buccaneers rank 143rd in college basketball by averaging 97.8 points per 100 possessions on offense, and defensively are 113th in college basketball, allowing 88.2 points per 100 possessions.
• East Tennessee State has committed 2.4 fewer turnovers per game than its opponents, averaging 10.7 (101st in college basketball play) while forcing 13.1 (93rd in college basketball).

Mercer Performance Insights

• The Bears’ +106 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by 7.1 points per game) is a result of putting up 82.9 points per game (39th in college basketball) while allowing 75.8 per contest (292nd in college basketball).
• Mercer grabs 35.7 rebounds per game (53rd in college basketball) while allowing 34.3 per outing to opponents. It outrebounds opponents by 1.4 boards per game.
• Mercer makes 9.4 three-pointers per game (56th in college basketball), 1.1 more than its opponents.
• Mercer wins the turnover battle by 1.7 per game, committing 13.0 (304th in college basketball) while its opponents average 14.7.

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