Charlotte vs. Arkansas Odds
| Charlotte Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+18.5 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | +1000 |
| Arkansas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-18.5 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | -2000 |
Dating back to last season, the Arkansas Razorbacks have won 16 consecutive regular season games and are 8-0 to begin this season. The Razorbacks are one of 12 remaining undefeated teams and are No. 12 in the AP poll.
They picked up wins over Kansas State and Cincinnati and have beaten all six mid-major opponents by double digits, and on Tuesday welcome to Charlotte to Fayetteville.
The 49ers are 4-3 but will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak. Charlotte will be fired-up about playing its first ranked opponent since 2015. Arkansas won the only other meeting between the programs 80-67 in 2011.
Will the Hogs take control of this matchup as big favorites?
Charlotte 49ers
Charlotte is a guard-oriented team led the trio of Jahmir Young, Clyde Trapp and Austin Butler. Those three are the only 49ers averaging in double figures. Young leads the way at 19.7 points to go along with 5.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Trapp averages 12.3 points and 7.1 rebounds while Tripp averages 10.9 points and 6 rebounds per game.
Aly Khalifa contributes 9.6 points and 5.1 rebounds on the interior. He is the only 49er 6-foot-10 or taller. Charlotte will be in a bit of trouble if he gets in foul trouble.
Charlotte plays at a slow pace, ranking 293rd in adjusted tempo. However, that has not stopped the 49ers from struggling on the defensive end. Charlotte is 293rd in points allowed at 73.6 points per game. It ranks 273rd in adjusted defensive efficiency and 339th in defensive rating.
It is 337th in field goal percentage defense and 318th in three point field goal percentage defense. Against a potent team like Arkansas, Charlotte will struggle to get stops.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas is also led by its backcourt. Senior JD Notae is averaging 18.1 points and 2.9 steals. He ranks second in the SEC in scoring and sixth nationally in steals. Au'Diese Toney is off to a sizzling start from the field, shooting 69%. He is averaging 14.1 points and 6.8 rebounds.
Miami transfer Chris Lykes is averaging 12.4 points off the bench. However, he could improve his efficiency as he is shooting just 36% from the field. The Hogs will often play their guards together in a four-guard lineup. It has its benefits as Arkansas averages just 10.9 turnovers per game.
Forward Jaylin Williams is a Swiss army knife for the Razorbacks. The 6-foot-10 sophomore is averaging 6.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Among players that stand 6-foot-9 and taller, Williams leads the nation in assists. The 7-foot-3 Connor Vanover only averages 12 minutes per game despite starting but he averages 7.3 points and nearly a block per game.
Known for its pressure defense, Arkansas is averaging 8.8 steals per game. The Hogs are 35th in adjusted defensive efficency and 22nd in adjusted tempo.
Charlotte vs. Arkansas Betting Pick
The beginning of this game will be a feeling-out process to see who can establish the game at their pace. Charlotte wants to slow the game and limit possessions particularly going against a better team. Arkansas wants an up-and-down game and to force its opponents into mistakes. As the better team, I think Arkansas will dictate tempo and from there, it will have many advantages.
Charlotte has lost by double-digits in each of its losses. It has also allowed 75+ points three times already. That was against Toledo, Davidson and George Washington. Arkansas averages 83 and is the best team Charlotte has faced so far.
As an 18-point favorite, Arkansas will probably be able to cover this game if it reaches its scoring potential. It will probably top 90 points — which it has already done three times this season — and flirt with 100 points.
I would expect a big game from Notae along with Toney. Toney does an excellent job of getting to the free throw line and is a big reason why Arkansas is 19th in free throw attempts per game.
I expect Arkansas to roll and would back the Hogs as a heavy favorite. I would play the spread up to -20.
