Western Carolina Catamounts vs Mercer Bears Picks and Predictions for Saturday March 7 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 03/07/2026, 03:20 AM ET

The Western Carolina Catamounts face the Mercer Bears in the SoCon Championship Quarterfinal on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville, North Carolina. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 PM and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. At the time of this writing the odds were not released for the moneyline, total, or spread. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more expert predictions and analysis on today’s college basketball slate.

Western Carolina Entering Tournament on a Roll

The Western Carolina Catamounts enter the SoCon tournament with a 14-15 overall record and a strong 10-8 mark in conference play. Western Carolina has been one of the hottest teams in the conference lately, winning their last five games. During that stretch they recently won over Furman 86-67, Mercer 78-74, VMI 81-62, UNC Greensboro 91-77, and Chattanooga 81-76.

Offensively, Western Carolina averages 78.9 points per game while allowing 77.8 points per contest. The Catamounts shoot 45% from the field and average 38.4 rebounds per game along with 13.0 assists per contest. They also contribute defensively with 2.8 blocks and 6.2 steals per game.

One of Western Carolina’s biggest strengths has been their rebounding ability. Averaging over 38 rebounds per game gives them additional possessions and helps them control the pace of the game. Combined with their recent scoring surge, the Catamounts have found a rhythm heading into tournament play.

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Mercer Looking to Bounce Back

The Mercer Bears enter this SoCon quarterfinal with a 19-12 overall record and an 11-7 mark in conference play. Mercer has gone 3-2 over their last five games. They recently won over ETSU 82-76, defeated Samford 89-86, and beat The Citadel 70-54. However, they also lost to Western Carolina 78-74 and dropped a high-scoring contest against Chattanooga 94-90.

Mercer averages 83.0 points per game while allowing 75.5 points per contest. The Bears shoot 46% from the field and average 37.9 rebounds per game along with 13.9 assists per contest. Defensively they also produce 3.5 blocks and 7.9 steals per game.

The Bears have relied heavily on their offensive production this season. Averaging 83 points per game, Mercer has the ability to score in bunches and push the pace. Their defensive activity, especially their steals, also allows them to create fast break opportunities that can quickly swing momentum.

Western Carolina Catamounts vs Mercer Bears Pick

Pick: Western Carolina Catamounts Spread

Western Carolina enters this game with strong momentum after winning five straight games, including a recent victory over Mercer. The Catamounts have been scoring efficiently and controlling the glass during this stretch. While Mercer has a strong offense, Western Carolina’s recent form and confidence could give them the edge in this tournament matchup.

Western Carolina Catamounts vs Mercer Bears Total Pick

Pick: Over

I expect this game to be played at a high tempo. Both teams average close to or above 80 points per game and have shown they can score quickly. Since their previous matchup also featured plenty of offense, I believe this contest could turn into another high-scoring SoCon tournament game.

Final Score Prediction: Western Carolina Catamounts 85, Mercer Bears 81

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