It will be a battle between Conference USA opponents when the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (12-14) welcome the Charlotte 49ers (10-16) to E.A. Diddle Arena. The game begins at 3:00 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 20.
The Hilltoppers are hoping to rebound after their 59-56 loss to Old Dominion on Thursday. Aleksej Rostov was the top performer for the Hilltoppers, contributing 10 points, six rebounds, and one block. The 49ers, meanwhile, are coming off an 87-72 loss to Marshall on Thursday. Andrien White had a team-high 16 points.
The 49ers should minimize miscues in this matchup. They rank 33rd in the nation at avoiding errors (TO% of 15.9%). Meanwhile, Western Kentucky forces the 22nd-fewest mistakes in the nation, with just 15.6% of opponents’ possessions ending in a turnover.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the 49ers winning the first matchup 88-71. Jon Davis had a standout performance in the victory, putting up 23 points, three rebounds, six assists, two steals, one block, and four three-pointers.
The Hilltoppers look to improve upon their records of 12-14 Straight Up (SU) and 9-13 Against The Spread (ATS). Western Kentucky has averaged 85.0 points per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 76.8. The rebounding edge goes to the Hilltoppers in this matchup, who are one of the top rebounding teams in the nation with an average of 39.3 boards per game.
As for their opponent, the 49ers fare well ATS, sitting at 16-8. However, they are only 10-16 SU. The 49ers convert their three-pointers at a high percentage, ranking 35th in the nation at .382.
The 49ers’ win over Western Kentucky in their last clash couldn’t give them the edge in the head-to-head record, where Western Kentucky still leads 2-1 SU. Additionally, with a 2-1 record, Western Kentucky has the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Char, ATS Winner – Char
Notes
“Western Kentucky is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games “.
“Western Kentucky is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Western Kentucky’s last 6 games “.
“Western Kentucky is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home”.
“Western Kentucky is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home”.
Western Kentucky averages 76.8 points per game (ranked 84th). Charlotte, on the other hand, allows 80.1 points per game (ranked 250th).
Charlotte scores 74.4 points per away game (ranked 63rd). Western Kentucky ranks a poor 204th in points allowed at home, allowing 72.9 points.
The Charlotte 49ers average 72.0 possessions per game and 1.081 points per possession. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers earn fewer possessions with 70.1, but they score more points with 1.095.
Western Kentucky has an average effective field goal percentage of 51.8%. Charlotte is a losing 5-11 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, Western Kentucky attempts 19.0 three pointers and Charlotte attempts 21.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have a 5-7 record while the Charlotte 49ers have a subpar 5-8 record.
Western Kentucky, the 69th-ranked team in blocked shots, records an average of 4.4 per game. Charlotte does worse, ranked 287th with 2.5.
Western Kentucky ranks 65th in offensive rebounding. Charlotte ranks 205th in defensive rebounding.
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers average 4.7 steals per game. When giving up 4 or more steals, the Charlotte 49ers have a poor record (9-14) this season.
