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...The Charlotte 49ers will travel to the Murphy Athletic Center to take on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders this Saturday night in College Basketball action.
The Charlotte 49ers dropped to 11-12 (5-7 C-USA) on the season after being defeated by the UAB Blazers, 82-69, this past Thursday. Charlotte trailed by a 41-35 margin at halftime and couldn’t fight back after UAB took a 72-59 lead with 4:27 left in regulation. Charlotte allowed UAB to shoot 49.3% from the field and was outrebounded by the Blazers by a 48-26 margin. Leading the way for 49ers was Jon Davis who had 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. On the season, Charlotte is averaging 78.4 ppg on 44.8% shooting from the field. The 49ers are averaging 8.1 three-pointers per game on 38.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Charlotte has been led by Jon Davis (20.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.1 apg), Austin Ajukwa (12.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Andrien White (11.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.5 spg), and Braxton Ogbueze (10.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.1 apg). Defensively, Charlotte is allowing their opponents to average 81.4 ppg on 46.7% shooting from the field. The 49ers have a rebound margin of -8.0 and a turnover margin of 2.3.
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders improved to 21-4 (11-1 C-USA) on the season after defeating the Old Dominion Monarchs, 64-51, this past Thursday. Middle Tennessee was solid on the defensive end and had little trouble putting away the Monarchs after taking a 32-21 halftime lead. Middle Tennessee held Old Dominion to 40.8% shooting from the field and 20.0% (3-15) from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Blue Raiders was Reggie Upshaw who had 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. On the season, Middle Tennessee is averaging 73.0 ppg on 48.4% shooting from the field. The Blue Raiders are averaging 6.5 three-pointers per game on 36.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Middle Tennessee has been led by JaCorey Williams (16.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.8 apg), Giddy Potts (15.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.5 spg), Reggie Upshaw (14.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.3 spg), and Tyrik Dixon (5.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.1 spg). Defensively, Middle Tennessee is holding their opponents to an average of 62.9 ppg on 42.1% shooting from the field. The Blue Raiders have a rebound margin of 4.5 and a turnover margin of 3.0.
The 49ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall and just 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. The Blue Raiders are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games and 14-5 ATS in their last 19 games overall.
Charlotte has lost 6 of their last 10 games and have really struggled on the defensive end this season as the 49ers rank 330th in scoring defense and 308th in defensive FG%. Middle Tennessee has won 11 of their last 12 games and have one of the best defensives in the country as the Blue Raiders rank 16th in scoring defense, 62nd in rebound margin, and 31st in turnover margin. Charlotte has a decent offense, however, the 49ers will have trouble finding ways to score against the Blue Raiders defense and Middle Tennessee will be able to put up plenty of points in this one.....
