The East Carolina Pirates (5-4) will be at home in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum when they take on the Charlotte 49ers (3-6). The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 146.5 points with East Carolina opening as a 3.5-point favorite. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Monday, December 18, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN 3.
Charlotte 49ers vs. East Carolina Pirates ATS Preview
The 49ers lost to the Chattanooga Mocs in their last contest, 64-50. Hudson Price put together a good game for Charlotte, leading the team in scoring with 15 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Chattanooga did a great job of converting from the charity stripe (13-18; 72.2 percent). Charlotte, meanwhile, held the Mocs to an effective field goal percentage of 0.481 (below their season average of 0.539).
In the Pirates last matchup, they topped the Campbell Fighting Camels, 69-66. East Carolina received a boost from B.J. Tyson, who recorded 16 points and seven rebounds. The Pirates had a ridiculous free throw rate of 0.362 (above their season average of 0.255) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.553 (above their season average of 0.489).
The aggressive Charlotte offense looks poised to dominate from the free throw line. Dating back to the 2016-17 season, the 49ers rank 30th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.265, while East Carolina has been among the nations most foul-prone squads (giving up a 205th-ranked FTA rate of 0.208).
Of Charlotte’s 6 games with betting action, three have finished under the O/U total, while 2 of East Carolina’s 3 games have finished over the projected point total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Pirates have a significant advantage. They are 5-4 SU and 1-2 ATS, while the 49ers are 3-6 SU and 0-6 ATS.
The 49ers won the lone game against the Pirates last season, 76-64. Charlotte had a much better turnover percentage (10.4 vs. 26.6). East Carolina, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of making free throws (14-18; 77.8 percent).
Charlotte 49ers at East Carolina Pirates Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – East Carolina, ATS Winner – East Carolina, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The 49ers and Pirates both rank 248th in three pointers attempted per game (20.2).
- East Carolina averages 37.9 rebounds per game, which ranks 73rd in the nation. Charlotte ranks 118th in rebounds allowed per game (38.8).
- The 49ers average 12.2 assists per game, which ranks 176th in the NCAA. The Pirates rank 187th in assists allowed per game (13.1).
- Charlotte averages 6.2 steals per game, which ranks 138th in the NCAA. East Carolina ranks 145th in steals allowed per game (6.6).
