Charlotte 49ers (18-14) vs Western Carolina Catamounts (18-15)
Game Info: Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 5:30 pm (Ocean Center)
Betting Odds: Charlotte 49ers -6 -- Over/Under: 137 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Charlotte 49ers and the Western Carolina Catamounts will leave NC and head down to Daytona Beach to face off in the first round of the College Basketball Invitational at the Ocean Center on FloSports. Charlotte has won all three meetings between the two Carolina schools, with the latest win coming back in December of last season.
Western Carolina Betting Preview
Western Carolina comes in at 18-15 after falling to Furman in the SoCon Semifinals. The Catamounts took the Paladins to the brink after storming back in the second half, but they’d go on to lose in overtime by three points, 83-80. WCU is scoring 74.5 points per game, while allowing 62.6 ppg, and shooting 43.1% from the floor.
Western Carolina was competitive in Southern Conference play this season, and they’ll look to end a their in-state foe Charlotte's season here. The Catamounts lean on the three-headed monster of Tre Jackson, Tyzhaun Claude, and Vonterius Woolbright. Jackson scored 22 points in the finale against Furman, and he leads the team in scoring at 16.0 ppg. Woolbright lines up alongside him in the backcourt, and after posting three straight double-doubles to close the season, he’s averaging a nice line of 14.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg, and 5.2 apg. Claude leads WCU in rebounding (8.6), while scoring 15.4 ppg.
Charlotte Betting Preview
Charlotte comes in at 18-14 after losing to Middle Tennessee State in the Conference UCA Quarterfinals. The 49ers would battle it out with the Blue Raiders for forty minutes, but they’d end up falling by a single point, 66-65. Charlotte is scoring 66.7 points per game, while allowing 62.6 ppg, and shooting 47.1% from the floor.
Charlotte dropped their last three games, but they should get up for the postseason opportunity here. The 49ers have leaned on a rugged defensive approach again this year, with Brice Williams leading the way offensively. The junior guard scored 20 points or more in each of the last three regular season games, including a season-high 32 points in the finale against UAB, and he leads the Niners in scoring (13.4). Sophomore Aly Khalifa scored 27 points against UTSA at the start of March, and he’s averaging 11.9 ppg and a team-lead 6.5 rpg.
Western Carolina vs Charlotte Trends
Western Carolina is 16-13-1 against the spread this season, with a 14-16 over/under record. Charlotte is 19-13 ATS this year, with a 12-16-1 o/u record.
Corey's Free Pick
It looks like we’ll receive an infamous clash of high-octane offense and physical defense, and I like leaning on the offensive edge here. Western Carolina comes into this one with a lot more firepower than Charlotte, if they’re able to play at their pace, they might prove to be too much for the favorites. Spot WCU the points for this CBI contest.
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Corey’s Pick Western Carolina +6
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
