Wednesday’s contest between the Samford Bulldogs (14-3, 4-0 SoCon) and the Mercer Bears (9-8, 2-2 SoCon) at Hawkins Arena has a projected final score of 84-76 based on our computer prediction, with a favored Samford squad coming out on top. Tipoff is at 7:00 PM ET on January 15.

According to our computer prediction, Samford is projected to cover the spread (5.5) against Mercer. The two teams are expected to fall short of the 164.5 total.

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Samford vs. Mercer Game Info & Odds

• Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2025
• Time: 7:00 PM ET
• Where: Macon, Georgia
• Venue: Hawkins Arena
• Line: Samford -5.5
• Point total: 164.5
• Moneyline (to win): Samford -250, Mercer +198

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Samford vs. Mercer Score Prediction

• Prediction:
  Samford 84, Mercer 76

Spread & Total Prediction for Samford vs. Mercer

• Pick ATS: Samford (-5.5)
• Pick OU: Under (164.5)

Samford has gone 8-7-0 against the spread, while Mercer’s ATS record this season is 9-6-0. The Bulldogs have a 7-8-0 record going over the point total, while games involving the Bears have a record of 8-7-0 when it comes to hitting the over. The two teams score an average of 169.4 points per game, 4.9 more points than this matchup’s total. Samford has a 6-4 record against the spread while going 9-1 overall over the last 10 games. Mercer has gone 6-4 against the spread and 6-4 overall in its last 10 games.

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Samford Performance Insights

• The Bulldogs outscore opponents by 12.6 points per game (scoring 87.5 points per game to rank fifth in college basketball while allowing 74.9 per contest to rank 275th in college basketball) and have a +214 scoring differential overall.
• The 32.4 rebounds per game Samford averages rank 206th in the country. Its opponents grab 31.8 per contest.
• Samford hits 11.8 three-pointers per game (third-most in college basketball) at a 37.9% rate (31st in college basketball), compared to the 8.0 per game its opponents make at a 33.2% rate.
• The Bulldogs rank 39th in college basketball with 103.9 points scored per 100 possessions, and 118th in college basketball defensively with 88.9 points conceded per 100 possessions.
• Samford has come up on top in the turnover battle by 3.8 turnovers per game, committing 12.7 (286th in college basketball action) while forcing 16.5 (third in college basketball).

Mercer Performance Insights

• The Bears are outscoring opponents by 5.9 points per game, with a +101 scoring differential overall. They put up 81.9 points per game (42nd in college basketball) and give up 76.0 per outing (296th in college basketball).
• The 35.8 rebounds per game Mercer accumulates rank 47th in the nation. Their opponents collect 34.9.
• Mercer connects on 9.1 three-pointers per game (71st in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 8.5. It shoots 33.9% from deep, and its opponents shoot 33.3%.
• Mercer wins the turnover battle by 1.9 per game, committing 12.6 (280th in college basketball) while its opponents average 14.5.

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