Furman Paladins vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers Picks and Predictions for Monday March 9 2026
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The Furman Paladins and East Tennessee State Buccaneers meet in the SoCon Championship - Final on Monday, March 9, 2026 at Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville, North Carolina. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET, and the game will be televised on ESPN. At the time of this writing, the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily betting analysis and college basketball insights.
Furman Riding Tournament Momentum into the Championship
Furman enters the championship game with a 21-12 overall record and a 10-8 mark in SoCon play. The Paladins advanced to the final by defeating Samford 86-81 in the quarterfinal and then knocking off UNC Greensboro 81-75 in the semifinal. In their last five games, Furman has recently won over UNC Greensboro, Samford, The Citadel, and Wofford, while recently losing to Western Carolina.
The Paladins have produced solid offensive numbers this season, averaging 76.3 points per game while allowing 70.8 points per contest. Furman shoots 47% from the field and averages 38.4 rebounds and 15.8 assists per game, which reflects a team that moves the ball effectively and works to create quality scoring opportunities. Defensively, the Paladins average 3.3 blocks and 4.8 steals per game, providing enough defensive presence to complement their offensive production.
One key tournament angle for Furman is the confidence it gained from a strong second-half performance in the semifinal. In the 81-75 win over UNC Greensboro, Alex Wilkins exploded for 34 points, while Charles Johnston led the team with 6 rebounds. Furman shot 52% from the field, connected on 45% from three-point range, and converted 88% of its free throws, showing impressive shooting efficiency in a pressure situation. If the Paladins can replicate that kind of scoring efficiency in the championship game, they will be a dangerous opponent.
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East Tennessee State Battles into the Title Game
East Tennessee State arrives in the championship with a 23-10 overall record and a 13-5 conference record in SoCon play. The Buccaneers advanced through the tournament by defeating The Citadel 83-76 in the quarterfinal before edging Western Carolina 69-67 in the semifinal. In their last five games, East Tennessee State has recently won over Western Carolina, The Citadel, and UNC Greensboro, while recently losing to Mercer and Wofford.
The Buccaneers have been slightly more productive offensively than Furman this season, averaging 78.4 points per game while allowing 69.1 points per contest. East Tennessee State shoots 49% from the field and averages 34.2 rebounds with 14.6 assists per game. On the defensive side, the Buccaneers average 3.3 blocks and 8.8 steals per game, showing an ability to create turnovers and disrupt opposing offenses.
A key tournament-specific storyline for East Tennessee State is how it responded in a tight semifinal battle. In the 69-67 win over Western Carolina, Brian Taylor II led the Buccaneers with 22 points, while Blake Barkley pulled down 8 rebounds to lead the team on the glass. East Tennessee State shot 47% from the field and did enough defensively to close out a narrow victory despite being outrebounded 37-29. That defensive resilience and ability to win close games could be a major factor in this championship matchup.
Furman Paladins vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers Pick
Furman Paladins vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers Spread Pick
- Pick: East Tennessee State Buccaneers moneyline
East Tennessee State looks like the stronger side entering the championship game because of its overall balance and defensive activity. The Buccaneers allow just 69.1 points per game and force turnovers with 8.8 steals per contest, which could disrupt Furman’s offensive rhythm. While Furman is coming off a strong shooting performance, East Tennessee State has been more consistent defensively and has also shown it can win tight tournament games, which is often crucial in a championship setting.
Furman Paladins vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers Total Pick
- Pick: Over
I like the over in this matchup because both teams have shown the ability to score efficiently. Furman averages 76.3 points per game, while East Tennessee State averages 78.4 points per contest, and both teams shot well in their semifinal victories. With championship stakes often leading to aggressive offense and frequent trips to the free throw line late in games, I expect the scoring pace to remain strong throughout this matchup.
Final Score Prediction: East Tennessee State Buccaneers 80, Furman Paladins 76
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