High Point vs. Winthrop College Basketball prediction, preview
The top-two seeds in the Big South have prevailed to the championship game on Sunday afternoon, which tips off at noon on ESPN2. High Point and Winthrop split its regular season series, with the home team winning each game. High Point snuck one out by just two points in its home win, while Winthrop pounded the Panthers to give High Point its only loss in conference play.
High Point is the better team in this one, mostly thanks to its offense. The Panthers rank 62nd on KenPom in offensive efficiency, and also 62nd in adjusted tempo. They are going to play fast and score points. Winthrop’s defense ranks outside of the top-200 on Kenpom, but the Eagles play at just as rapid a pace (58th adjusted tempo). That should lead to a fast paced game, and one we can confidently project High Point to score points in.
I like the Panthers to win the game and clinch a birth in the NCAA Tournament, but we’re laying a lot of points here. I’ve played a moneyline parlay with High Point and Navy at -130, but also think the total is worth exploring in this game. I mentioned the pace the game should be played at and the poor Winthrop defense, but High Point isn’t all that great on the defensive end either — 178th on KenPom in defensive efficiency.
Both regular season matchups sailed over Sunday’s total of 160.5, averaging 171.5 in the previous two meetings. Fast pace, good offenses, bad defenses … sounds like a barn burner to decide who goes dancing in the Big South.
