Expert prediction
Tulsa vs East Carolina Preview, Odds, Predictions (March 5)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- The Golden Hurricane have won their last three contests in league play.
- The Pirates pulled off back-to-back wins over UTSA and Memphis.
- This marks the 33rd all-time matchup between the two American squads.
The American Conference will be active on March 5 with multiple contests, one of them featuring the Tulsa Golden Hurricane and the East Carolina Pirates. The former comes out as the solid favorite, presenting many challenges for the hosting Pirates squad.
How to Watch
- When: Thursday, March 5, 7 pm ET
- Where: Minges Coliseum, Greenville, North Carolina
- How to Watch: ESPNU
NCAA Matchup Odds & Lines
| Team | Odds | Spread | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsa | -105 | -9.5 | O155.5 |
| East Carolina | -115 | +9.5 | U155.5 |
Game Preview
The Golden Hurricane (23-6, 11-5 American) are back on track with a three-game winning streak as they near the end of league play. They rank 16th in the country in points per game (86.0), 16th in scoring margin (13.6), 12th in three-point percentage (.390), 14th in free throw percentage (.783), 22nd in made threes (10.6), and 22nd in free throws made (18.4). Tulsa’s starting five of Miles Barnstable, Tyler Behrend, Ade Popoola, David Green and Tylen Riley has a plus-minus of +165, the fourth best in the country. Green leads Tulsa in scoring with 16.5 points per game while Barnstable (14.9 ppg), Riley (14.7 ppg) and Popoola (10.3 ppg) come next in the attack.
The Pirates (11-18, 6-10 American) remain alive in qualifying for one of the last spots of the American Tournament, needing wins in their last games while needing losses from teams above them. Jordan Riley leads ECU with 24 points (1st in American, 2nd in NCAA) per game while adding 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals per night. Meanwhile, Giovanni Emejuru controls the paint for the Pirates, with a near double-double of 13 points and 9.2 rebounds (2nd in American) per game and is second in the league in double-doubles with 13.
Tulsa vs East Carolina Head-to-Head
The two programs have had 32 meetings in their history, and the result is 22-10 for the Golden Hurricane. The last matchup was in January 2025 when East Carolina won 85-76 in overtime on the road.
Tulsa vs East Carolina Predictions
Even though Tulsa boasts the all-time record in this head-to-head, East Carolina has had the upper hand by winning seven consecutive games this decade. Winning this game would improve the Golden Hurricane’s standing in the conference tournament bracket, something that the Pirates would love to make difficult. Our betting pick here is the Pirates to cover a 9.5-point spread.
- Free NCAAB pick: East Carolina Pirates +9.5
NCAAB
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