🏀 Furman vs. East Tennessee State Prediction & Odds: SoCon Championship Picks Today

The SoCon Championship game features top-seeded East Tennessee State taking on Furman with an automatic bid to the big dance on the line in what's projected to be a close, competitive game.

Our Furman vs. East Tennessee State prediction breaks down everything to know for tonight's game at 7 p.m. (ESPN) at the Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville, N.C. East Tennessee State is a 1.5-point betting favorite, and we're backing the top seed with our SoCon Championship picks and best player prop bet.

🏀 Furman vs. East Tennessee State picks & odds today: March 9

See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.

Total wagered: 3 units | Max profit: 2.64 units

💰 Furman vs. East Tennessee State prediction & best bet

East Tennessee State ML (-115)

East Tennessee State won the SoCon regular season title, so anything less than scoring the conference's lone automatic bid will be a huge disappointment. Both sides excel at taking high-percentage looks, ranking top-35 nationally in 2-point percent.

Furman's problems stem from ball control: the Paladins rank 346th in turnover rate forced (13.6%) and 252nd in turnover rate (17.8%). East Tennessee State ranks top 75 in both metrics. When these teams first met, Furman lost the turnover battle by 12. I trust that edge to give the favorite the win. Play the -115 (53.5%) at bet365 down to -125 (55.6%).

Score prediction: East Tennessee State 75, Furman 64

🔥 Best Furman vs. East Tennessee State player prop bet

Maki Johnson Over 4.5 points (-112)

Betting on role players in college basketball is tricky, but this price for Maki Johnson's points prop is too good to pass up. Johnson tallied just three and four points in two prior meetings versus Furman but did so while shooting 25% from the field and 16.7% from deep. For this career, Johnson shoots 39.5% from the field and 37.7% from deep. Those dud games seem like massive outliers.

Furman's defense gives up a ton of 3-point looks. The Paladins rank 274th in opponent 3-point rate on the year (42.2%) and 296th since February 1 (43.3%). They don't defend them poorly, but we're betting on volume and positive shooting regression with this wager. Lock in the Over 4.5 for -112 (52.8%) at bet365.

🚀 Furman vs. East Tennessee State same-game parlay

We can lock in Johnson's points with East Tennessee State to win outright and the over for a solid same-game parlay with odds of +450 (18.2%) at bet365. Both sides take a lot of high-percentage looks and should put plenty of points on the board tonight, Johnson included.

💡 How I'm betting Furman vs. East Tennessee State

Follow all of our college basketball analysis and expert predictions this season.

While I like betting on higher-seeded teams at friendly prices in lower-level conference play, I don't love the angle here enough to go overboard with my action. East Tennessee State massive edge in the turnover department is a compelling reason to back them here, though, especially as Furman's turnover problems have only worsened since Feb. 1.

📊 Live Furman vs. East Tennessee State odds

The spread for this game opened at a tight 2.5 but has tightened to 1.5, fluctuating between the two numbers. In contrast, the moneyline has only moved in Furman's favor, shifting from +115 to +100. I wouldn't be surprised to see it widen back out as tip off approaches.  

Likewise, the total has seen minimal movement, ticking down from 139.5 to 138.5. The T-Rank projections for this game call for a total of 139 on the number, so I don't foresee much additional movement from the current odds. 

📈 Furman vs. East Tennessee State betting trends

📺 How to watch Furman vs. East Tennessee State

• Date: Monday, March 9
• Tipoff: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Harrah's Cherokee Center (Asheville, N.C.)
• TV: ESPN