High Point Panthers Face Gardner-Webb in Big South Quarterfinal Showdown

JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee — The top-seeded High Point Panthers (26-5) will take on the eighth-seeded Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs (11-19) in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Big South Conference Tournament on Friday at Freedom Hall Civic Center.

Tipoff is set for noon ET, as the Panthers aim to extend their impressive 11-game winning streak. Their last contest ended with a commanding 88-66 victory over South Carolina Upstate on Feb. 26. In contrast, Gardner-Webb stopped a four-game losing streak with a win over the same Upstate team, finishing 83-63 in the tournament’s first round.

According to the latest odds from SportsLine, High Point is favored by 15.5 points, with an over/under set at 155.5 total points scored. Before placing any bets, fans should examine the predictions generated by SportsLine’s advanced modeling system.

The model has simulated every Division 1 college basketball game 10,000 times this season and enters Week 18 on a strong performance record of 221-162 (+1895) since 2023. Anyone who has followed the predictions closely has seen notable returns.

High Point’s roster is highlighted by several standout players. Senior guard Giffa leads the team, averaging 14.6 points, along with 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. In recent outings, he has scored over 16 points six times in the last seven games, including a notable performance against Gardner-Webb, where he recorded 23 points and six assists.

Junior forward Hamilton also contributes significantly, averaging 13.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. The Mississippi native is consistent, with three consecutive games scoring 15 points or more, including his last performance of 16 points and seven rebounds.

Sophomore guard Simmons II stands out as an agile playmaker, leading the team with an impressive scoring average of 17.4 points, alongside 3.1 rebounds and two assists. He has been particularly effective, scoring 20 or more points in 10 games this season, including a 21-point performance against High Point.

Conversely, Gardner-Webb’s senior guard Seldon adds depth to their offensive strategy, contributing an average of 14.4 points and four rebounds per game. He has found success recently, scoring 18 points in his most recent game, indicating he is a tough competitor as the Bulldogs seek to advance in the tournament.

As the matchup approaches, SportsLine’s model suggests a lean toward the under on combined points, predicting a total of 155 points between both teams. Additionally, the model indicates one side of the spread will hit in over 50% of simulations, heightening anticipation for an intense game.

As fans await Friday’s showdown, the question remains: who will prevail in this highly competitive quarterfinal battle between High Point and Gardner-Webb? Those interested in following the latest updates and predictions are encouraged to check back as the tournament unfolds.