JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Interstat) — A conference title and likely NCAA Tournament seeding implications will be on the line Sunday when the surging High Point Panthers face the Winthrop Eagles in a men’s Division I basketball showdown at ETSU Athletic Center.

The Panthers (29-4), one of the nation’s winningest teams, enter as heavy favorites against the Eagles (23-10). High Point boasts a 71.5% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system and has been installed as a 6.5-point favorite, with an over/under of 164.5 points.

This matchup is a rubber game, with the season series split. High Point narrowly won the most recent meeting 89-87 at home on Feb. 21, while Winthrop dominated the first contest 92-75 on Jan. 14.

High Point is led by standout forward Terry Anderson, who is coming off a 25-point, 12-rebound performance in a 75-71 win over UNC Asheville on Saturday. Anderson was instrumental in the Feb. 21 victory over Winthrop, posting 23 points and 11 rebounds.

Winthrop counters with guard Kody Clouet, who scored 20 points in that narrow loss to the Panthers last month. Clouet has been consistently productive, averaging 18.6 points over his last seven games, including 17 points in Saturday’s 73-71 win over Presbyterian.

Both teams arrive on short rest after hard-fought conference tournament victories Saturday. High Point edged UNC Asheville, while Winthrop survived a last-second scare against Presbyterian.

The Panthers’ remarkable season, featuring only four losses, positions them as a potential mid-major threat in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. A win Sunday would solidify their resume. The Eagles, with a solid 23-win season, look to play spoiler and secure a third quality win over High Point, which could bolster their own postseason aspirations.

Tip-off is set for Sunday, March 8, 2026.