The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (12-5, 4-0 CUSA) look to continue their five-game winning streak against the Charlotte 49ers (5-10, 1-3 CUSA) at Dale F. Halton Arena. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 13, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 154 points with Western Kentucky set as a 13-point favorite.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Charlotte 49ers Free Prediction
The last time the Hilltoppers played, they beat the Old Dominion Monarchs, 75-68. Western Kentucky launched 16 three pointers, making 10 of them (62.5 percent), while Old Dominion was 4-14 (28.6 percent). Western Kentucky was led by Justin Johnson, who was the top scorer from either team with 25 points on 10-for-18 shooting.
The 49ers were beaten by the Marshall Thundering Herd in their last contest, 91-83. Marshall’s 15.5 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Charlotte, who had a rate of 18.4. The Thundering Herd’s mark was better than their season average of 15.6. With 38 points on 12-for-23 shooting, Jon Davis was the game’s leading scorer.
It will be a battle of contrasting tempos as the up-tempo 49ers will look to push the more grind-it-out Hilltoppers. The 49ers rank 90th in possessions per game while the Hilltoppers are 197th. Additionally, the Hilltoppers’ 31st-ranked offense (effective field goal percentage of 0.560) will square off against the 49ers’ 275th-ranked defense (effective field goal percentage allowed of 0.526).
Western Kentucky comes into the game with records of 12-5 straight up (SU) and 11-4 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total low when the Hilltoppers are involved, as 60.0 percent of their games have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Charlotte owns records of 5-10 SU and 3-9 ATS. Vegas is extremely accurate when predicting totals of 49ers games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Darius Thompson has averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals over the last five games for Western Kentucky.
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The 49ers won the most recent game 83-77. The 49ers made 23 of their 29 free throws (79.3 percent) and had a much better turnover percentage (10.3 vs. 18.1).
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Charlotte 49ers Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Western Kentucky, ATS Winner – Western Kentucky, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Western Kentucky is 7-1 ATS on the road with 5 overs and 3 unders.
Charlotte is 0-4 ATS at home with 2 overs, 1 under and 1 push.
Western Kentucky averages 7.2 steals per game, which ranks 59th in the NCAA. Charlotte ranks 141st in steals allowed per game (7.2).
The Hilltoppers rank 80th in assists per game (15.1) while the 49ers rank 130th in assists allowed per game (13.5).
Charlotte ranks 231st in three pointers attempted per game (18.7) while Western Kentucky ranks 273rd (15.4).
The Hilltoppers average 3.9 blocks per game, which ranks 72nd in the NCAA. The 49ers rank 84th in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
Western Kentucky ranks 165th in rebounds per game (35.5) while Charlotte ranks 168th in rebounds allowed per game (36.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Western Kentucky is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Charlotte is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Hilltoppers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.2, up from 9.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the 49ers have scored an average of 70.2 points per game (2.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 79.8 points per game (3.4 above their season average).
