The South Florida Bulls (6-6) will be at home in USF Sun Dome when they square off against the Charlotte 49ers (4-6). The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 135 points with South Florida opening as a 1-point favorite. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 21, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN 3.
Charlotte 49ers vs. South Florida Bulls Free Preview
The last time the 49ers played, they had no trouble getting past the East Carolina Pirates, 69-50. Andrien White was the games high scorer with 30 points on 10-for-20 shooting. Charlotte dominated every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.141 (below their season average of 0.307) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.469 (below their season average of 0.528). East Carolina had marks of 0.061 and 0.348, respectively, for those same stats.
The Bulls hope to maintain momentum after beating the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in their last matchup, 70-56. South Florida was lifted by Payton Banks, who was the games high scorer with 23 points on 9-for-16 shooting. The Bulls had a superb effective field goal percentage of 0.596 (above their season average of 0.475), while the Lumberjacks had a free throw rate of 0.127 (below their season average of 0.340).
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, South Florida figures to have a considerable edge. The Bulls defense ranks 49th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.461), while the Charlotte offense is ranked 166th in effective field goal percentage (0.521).
Both of these teams have typically gone under the O/U total. Games involving Charlotte have finished under 57.1 percent of the time, while South Florida games have gone under 75.0 percent of the time. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Bulls have a substantial advantage. They are 6-6 SU and 3-4-1 ATS, while the 49ers are 4-6 SU and 1-6 ATS.
Charlotte 49ers vs. South Florida Bulls Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – South Florida, ATS Winner – South Florida, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Charlotte averages 6.3 steals per game, which ranks 124th in the NCAA. South Florida ranks 134th in steals allowed per game (6.9).
- The 49ers rank 256th in three pointers attempted per game (17.3) while the Bulls rank 257th (17.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Bulls average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 0.4, down from 0.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the 49ers have scored an average of 65.6 points per game (7.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.2 points per game (1.5 below their season average).
