-
Follow Us
On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
In the middle of a busy Sunday in the American Athletic Conference, Charlotte and Wichita State meet at Halton Arena for an afternoon tip on ESPN2.
The 49ers are in the hunt for the regular-season title, coming into this contest just one game back of league leaders South Florida. Meanwhile, this has been a difficult season for the Shockers, but they can play spoiler in this crucial matchup.
On paper, everything points to a home victory. Let's take a closer look in our Wichita State vs. Charlotte preview and pick.
Wichita State vs. Charlotte Odds
Sunday, Feb 18, Noon ET, ESPN2
| Wichita State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
| +7 -112 |
136.5 -108o / -112u |
OFF |
| Charlotte Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
| -7 -108 |
136.5 -108o / -112u |
OFF |
Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NCAAB odds here.
Wichita State Shockers
In his first season with the program, coach Paul Mills was not left with much experience to build from. Wichita State returned only 20.3% of its scoring from last season, losing its top four scorers.
The Shockers also had four players exhaust their eligibility. And once four others exited in the transfer portal, it made this a complete rebuild for Mills.
One player Mills brought in was Colby Rogers. The Siena transfer paces the team in scoring at 15.7 points per game and leads the AAC in 3-pointers made per game (2.72).
The other key addition to the roster has been Quincy Ballard. The former Florida State center ranks in the top 25 nationally in blocks and shoots 70.4% from the field. Ballard is on pace to shatter the school’s single-season record for shooting percentage. The current best mark is 61.6%, held by Steve Grayer in the 1987-88 campaign.
Charlotte 49ers
After the 49ers went 6-6 in nonconference play, there wasn't any chatter about Charlotte being a competitor to win the AAC. However, coach Aaron Fearne and his team have turned it around in league play.
Since losing the conference opener at SMU, the 49ers have won 10 of their last 11 to push for their first regular-season conference title since winning Conference USA in 2004.
You can’t say enough about the job Fearne is doing in his debut season. This is the best start for a first-year coach at Charlotte since Melvin Watkins in the 1996-97 season.
The player to watch for the 49ers is Dishon Jackson. When the big man plays at least 25 minutes, Charlotte is 13-1; Fearne’s team is 2-7 when Jackson fails to play 25 minutes.
Jackson has averaged 15.3 points per game over the last six, including a career-high 21 points in a win over UAB.
Wichita State vs. Charlotte
Betting Pick & Prediction
As lopsided as this matchup looks based on records, I think that's exactly how it plays out on the court, especially when you take into consideration home and road splits.
My best bet is for Charlotte to cover the -7, which I would bet to -8. I also like Wichita State to fall under its team total once it is posted.
I just struggle to see how the Shockers will have success offensively on the road. Away from home in league play, BartTorvik has Wichita State as the second-worst AAC team in AdjO, PPP and 3-point percentage. That doesn't bode well against a 49ers defense that ranks in the top five in the AAC in all of those categories defensively.
Meanwhile, the Shockers rank 11th in the country in percentage of points that come from 2-pointers. Charlotte is 84th nationally in opponents’ percentage from shots inside the arc (48.2%), a number that improves in conference play at home (47.3%).
I like the home team to get a convincing win here to stay alive in the conference title race.
Pick: Charlotte -7 (Play to -8)
More must-reads:
Breaking News
Sign up for the Bark Bets Newsletter
Bark Bets is Yardbarker's free daily guide to the world of sports betting. You'll get:
- Picks and predictions from our in-house experts
- The last-minute updates that give you an edge
- Special offers from Sportsbooks
Subscribe now!
