App State vs. Central Michigan Odds, Preview, Picks, and Prediction, Monday, November 3, 2025
On Monday, the Appalachian State Mountaineers will take on the Central Michigan Chippewas in the MAC-SBC Challenge, and we have you ready to go with our App State vs. Central Michigan prediction, odds, and preview. Tip-off from McGuirk Arena in Mount Pleasant, MI, is at 7:00 p.m. ET.
App State is a two-point spread favorite, and the game total is 139.5 points scored.
This is both teams' season opener and the second-ever college basketball matchup between them (77-69 CMU win in 1989). The Mountaineers went 17-14 last season, while the Chips went 14-17. If you want the App State vs. Central Michigan prediction, read on to get our top NCAAB predictions and increase your bankroll!
App State is a defensive-minded team
App State is in year seven under head coach Dustin Kerns, who has compiled a 110-77 record with six straight winning seasons in Boone. Monday's game marks the team's first road season opener since the 2021-22 season. The Mountaineers were 5-8 away from home last season.
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App State returns seven players and welcomes eight newcomers (five transfers and three frosh) for the 2025-26 season. The Mountaineers lost four of their top five scorers, as senior guard Alonzo Dodd (5.8 PPG) is the leading returner. Eren Banks, a junior transfer from Georgia Southern, was named Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team. He averaged 9.4 PPG for the Eagles, hitting 39.7 percent of his three-pointers. Another Mountaineer to watch is junior forward Chad Moodie, who led the SWAC in blocks last season at Alabama A&M.
Appalachian State projects to be a "D-and-Three" team in 2025-26. The Mountaineers have led the Sun Belt Conference in scoring defense in four straight years, ranking 12th nationally in opponent scoring (63.5 PPG) last season. They were an improved shooting team from beyond the arc, too, shooting 34.5 percent in 2024-25.
App State Mountaineers Basketball Injury Report: No injuries to report.
Central Michigan has a whole new squad
Central Michigan is in its first season under head coach Andy Bronkema, who spent the previous 12 seasons as the HC at Ferris State, where he won a D-II national championship. He isn't the only Chippewa making his team debut on Monday, though, as all 15 players and the entire coaching staff are newcomers.
CMU's roster is comprised of 12 transfers and three freshmen. Among the 12 Chips transfers are Phat Phat Brooks (Michigan), Rodney Johnson Jr. (Tennessee Tech), and Logan McIntire (Kentucky Wesleyan), along with three of Bronkema's former players at Ferris State, Nathan Claerbaut (9.6 PPG and 6.3 RPG), Jaxson Whitaker, and Jorden Brooks, the younger brother of Phat Phat. Johnson Jr. is expected to be one of the Chips' leading scorers after averaging 13.5 PPG and 5.8 RPG last season for the Golden Eagles.
Central Michigan was picked to finish 12th out of 13 teams in the MAC preseason poll. The Chippewas, who last made the NCAA Tournament in 2003, finished second in the MAC in scoring defense last season (72.2 PPG allowed).
Central Michigan Chippewas Basketball Injury Report: No injuries to report.
App State vs. Central Michigan Pick and Preview
Spread Pick for App State vs. Central Michigan
- Mountaineers -2 (5 Units)
I side with App State in Monday's college hoops season-opening matchup with Central Michigan. The Mountaineers have much more continuity than the Chippewas, which I value in early-season contests between unfamiliar opponents. The Chips will be learning how to gel together against a sound defensive team, which could lead to turnovers and fast-break buckets for the visitors. The Mountaineers made strides offensively last season, too, especially from three-point range. If they can knock down their fair share of three-balls, they can comfortably cover the small spread.
Over/Under Pick for App State vs. Central Michigan
- Under 139.5 (5 Units)
Appalachian State has ranked in the top 50 nationally in scoring defense every season since 2020-21. They added a strong rim protector in Moodie, who will prevent the Chippewas from converting easy layups and dunks in the paint. I anticipate a slow-tempo style of play, as well. The Mountaineers averaged only 66.0 possessions per game last season, the eighth-slowest pace in the country. With Central Michigan integrating 12 transfer and three freshmen into its rotation, I don't anticipate a high-scoring performance by the home team. Bet on the under!
