Halftime Report
Charlotte is on the road but looking no worse for wear. They have jumped out to a quick 35-31 lead against East Carolina.
If Charlotte keeps playing like this, they'll bump their record up to 19-11 in no time. On the other hand, East Carolina will have to make due with a 14-17 record unless they turn things around (and fast).
Who's Playing
Charlotte 49ers @ East Carolina Pirates
Current Records: Charlotte 18-11, East Carolina 14-16
How To Watch
- When: Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 4 p.m. ET
- Where: Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum -- Greenville, North Carolina
- TV: ESPN Plus
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Online Streaming: Catch select College Basketball matches on Fubo (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket Cost: $100.00
What to Know
After two games on the road, East Carolina is heading back home. They and the Charlotte 49ers will face off in an American Athletic battle at 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. East Carolina has been getting the ball to fall more lately as they've increased their point totals each of their last three games.
East Carolina fought the good fight in their overtime game against SMU on Wednesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Mustangs by a score of 80-77. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest loss East Carolina has suffered since November 15, 2023.
Despite the defeat, East Carolina got a solid performance out of RJ Felton, who almost dropped a double-double on 28 points and nine rebounds. Another player making a difference was Cyr Malonga, who almost dropped a double-double on ten points and nine rebounds.
Meanwhile, Charlotte had to suffer through a three-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They walked away with a 69-64 win over the Owls on Wednesday. Winning is a bit easier when you outrebound your opponent 14 to 2 on the offensive boards, as Charlotte did.
Charlotte can attribute much of their success to Dishon Jackson, who scored 15 points along with eight rebounds and two steals, and Igor Milicic Jr., who shot 4-for-7 from long range and dropped a double-double on 26 points and ten rebounds. As a matter of fact, that's the most points Milicic Jr. has scored all season.
The Pirates' defeat was their third straight on the road, which dropped their record down to 14-16. As for the 49ers, their win bumped their record up to 18-11.
Going forward, East Carolina is expected to win a tight contest, barring any buzzer beaters.
East Carolina lost to Charlotte at home by a decisive 67-52 margin when the teams last played back in February. Will East Carolina have more luck at home instead of on the road?
Odds
East Carolina is a slight 1.5-point favorite against Charlotte, according to the latest college basketball odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Pirates as a 1-point favorite.
The over/under is 128 points.
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Series History
Charlotte has won 4 out of their last 6 games against East Carolina.
- Feb 03, 2024 - Charlotte 67 vs. East Carolina 52
- Dec 22, 2019 - East Carolina 60 vs. Charlotte 56
- Dec 18, 2018 - Charlotte 55 vs. East Carolina 49
- Dec 18, 2017 - Charlotte 69 vs. East Carolina 50
- Nov 17, 2016 - Charlotte 76 vs. East Carolina 64
- Nov 16, 2015 - East Carolina 88 vs. Charlotte 74