NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Game Preview: Furman Paladins @ Manhattan Jaspers
The Furman Paladins head to New York on Thursday night for a non-conference matchup against the Furman Paladins as they take on the Manhattan Jaspers at Draddy Gymnasium in Riverdale. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM ET, with streaming coverage on ESPN+. Furman enters as the road favorite, laying 8.5 points with a -386 moneyline, while Manhattan comes back at +8.5 and +287 on the moneyline. The total for this matchup is posted at 154.5 points. With Furman thriving offensively but showing vulnerability away from home, and Manhattan playing its best basketball in familiar surroundings, this matchup presents an interesting betting profile within Thursday’s college basketball previews.
Dominate the NCAAB Betting Market
3,000+ monthly picks — NCAAB included
Odds and Key Information
The opening line of Furman -8.5 reflects a clear talent and efficiency edge for the Paladins, but also prices in their inconsistent road form. The moneyline gap reinforces Furman’s status as the superior team, yet not to the degree of a runaway mismatch. The total of 154.5 suggests an expectation of pace and scoring, driven largely by Furman’s offensive efficiency rather than Manhattan’s tempo control.
One key analytical observation is the contrast between Furman’s elite finishing inside and Manhattan’s tendency to slow games through physical defense and free-throw generation. Market behavior has kept the spread under double digits, indicating respect for Manhattan’s home environment. From a coaching standpoint, Furman’s staff has emphasized shot selection and interior touches on the road, while Manhattan’s approach centers on forcing fouls and disrupting rhythm through pressure defense.
Furman Paladins Outlook
Furman enters Thursday with a 7-4 record and one of the most efficient offenses among mid-major programs. The Paladins are coming off a dominant 105-point performance against Bob Jones, a game that highlighted their ability to score in waves. Cooper Bowser led the way with 24 points on highly efficient shooting, reinforcing Furman’s identity as a team that converts high-percentage looks rather than relying solely on volume.
Statistically, Furman stands out inside the arc. They rank first nationally in two-point shooting percentage at 68.5 percent, and their effective field goal percentage sits comfortably inside the top 50. That efficiency travels well when execution is sharp, but road games have exposed lapses in defensive consistency. The Paladins are just 1-3 away from home, a mark that tempers confidence when laying points.
Still, Furman has shown it can win road games when the offense remains patient. Their recent 97-88 win at Elon is a prime example, with Asa Thomas stepping up for 21 points and controlling tempo late. When Furman avoids rushed possessions and leverages its interior scoring, it can stretch leads gradually. For bettors, the question is not whether Furman can win, but whether it can maintain margin in a gym where Manhattan tends to compete. A broader look at how Furman stacks up nationally can be found on the NCAAB teams page.
Manhattan Jaspers Outlook
Manhattan comes into this matchup at 4-7 overall, but its home record of 2-1 offers some optimism. The Jaspers are looking to bounce back after an 82-53 loss to Fordham, a game that spiraled early. Even in that defeat, Anthony Isaac showed efficiency in limited minutes, while Jaden Winston continued to function as the offensive engine.
The Jaspers’ offensive profile is built less on raw efficiency and more on free-throw production. Ranking 51st nationally in free throws made per game, Manhattan has a reliable way to score even when shots are not falling. That trait is valuable against a Furman defense that prefers to stay vertical but can be vulnerable if forced into extended half-court defense.
Winston leads the team at 14.8 points per game and brings playmaking value, while Manhattan’s defense generates over eight steals per contest. Those turnovers can swing momentum quickly, especially at home. Draddy Gymnasium has historically been a difficult environment for visiting teams unfamiliar with its sightlines and pace. For Manhattan to cover or pull an upset, it must dictate physicality, get to the line, and prevent Furman from turning the game into an interior layup drill. Bettors tracking similar home-underdog profiles can compare this spot with others on the college basketball picks page.
Key Matchup Table
| Key Factor | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Interior scoring efficiency | Furman |
| Free-throw production | Manhattan |
| Overall offensive execution | Furman |
| Home-court familiarity | Manhattan |
| Turnover creation | Manhattan |
Betting Trends
Furman has been less reliable against the spread on the road, particularly when laying more than two possessions. Their games away from home have also trended slightly under, as efficiency dips when opponents slow pace and contest interior looks. Manhattan, meanwhile, has been more competitive at home ATS than its overall record suggests, especially as an underdog.
Totals involving Furman can swing based on opponent style. Against teams willing to trade possessions, overs become viable, but against physical, foul-drawing opponents, totals often settle lower than market expectations. Bettors evaluating these trends across Thursday’s slate can find additional context on the college basketball scores and odds page.
The Lean
This matchup sets up as a road test for Furman more than a pure mismatch. The Paladins’ efficiency edge is real, but Manhattan’s ability to slow games and score at the line makes an 8.5-point spread ambitious. With Furman averaging 78.5 points per game and Manhattan at 78.3, the offensive gap is narrower than the spread suggests, particularly in a controlled home environment.
The total of 154.5 feels slightly inflated given Furman’s slower pace and Manhattan’s preference for grinding possessions. While Furman can score efficiently, the overall number of possessions may not be high enough to comfortably clear the mid-150s unless shooting percentages spike.
For additional breakdowns across the day’s schedule, bettors can reference the full slate on the college basketball previews hub.
Projected Final Score: Furman 80, Manhattan 75
Best Spread Pick: Manhattan +8.5
Total Lean: Under 154.5
Why You Need Expert Picks
Non-conference road favorites like Furman often look straightforward on paper but present hidden risks tied to venue, pace, and officiating style. That is where expert insight becomes valuable. ScoresAndStats provides transparency through the Handicappers Leaderboard on the college basketball picks page, allowing bettors to track performance rather than rely on reputation.
Expert projections help identify when underdogs are positioned to outperform market expectations and when totals drift beyond realistic game scripts. Bettors seeking to sharpen their long-term approach can also benefit from the strategic frameworks outlined in the expert betting guide and by reviewing trusted sources via the handicappers sites reviews.
