The Charlotte 49ers and the UTEP Miners meet Thursday in college basketball action from Don Haskins Center. Charlotte is currently 13-10 on the year. The 49ers lost to Florida Atlantic in their last game. As for UTEP, they’re sitting at 11-12 overall after a loss to Western Kentucky on Saturday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Charlotte 49ers
Charlotte got off to a decent start this year at 11-5 through 16 games. The 49ers are just 2-5 since then however, taking losses to UTEP, Middle Tennessee, Rice, FIU and Florida Atlantic during that stretch. The wins came versus UTSA and Western Kentucky otherwise.
On Saturday versus Florida Atlantic, the 49ers were up 31-30 going into the second half. Charlotte posted a 37-21 deficit from there and lost 67-52. Brice Williams was the top team scorer on 14 points and eight rebounds.
UTEP Miners
Over on the UTEP side, they kicked off the year on a sketchy run, going 9-7 over their first 16 games. The Miners are 2-5 in their last seven as well, falling to Rice, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky.
In the Western Kentucky matchup on Saturday, the Miners managed a 37-33 edge by the break. UTEP was outscored 41-32 from there and lost 74-69. Shamar Givance led the way on 18 points and six rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably lean UTEP here. This should be a pretty competitive matchup, even though both teams are struggling right now. UTEP has a four-game losing streak, and the 49ers have dropped three straight. The last time these teams met up back on January 16, UTEP managed a 60-58 win at Halton Arena. It’s been a 1-4 stretch since then for the Miners, but they do have 69 or more points in consecutive games. Ultimately I like the Miners better on a cover/win here, but I’m probably not touching it.