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MTSU vs. Charlotte Prediction and Odds (Fire on 49ers to Upset Blue Raiders)

By Ben Heisler

Charlotte 49ers head coach Ron Sanchez will look to upset Middle Tennessee State at home this evening in Conference USA play.
Charlotte 49ers head coach Ron Sanchez will look to upset Middle Tennessee State at home this evening in Conference USA play. / Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
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The top team in Conference USA finds itself as only a short road favorite tonight when the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders travel to Charlotte to face the 49ers at 6 p.m. ET.

The Blue Raiders enter tonight's matchup riding an eight-game win streak, as well as winners of 13 of their last 14 games. One of those wins was a 15-point victory at home against Charlotte back on Sunday, February 13th.

With the conference already wrapped up for Middle Tennessee State, could the 49ers try to put themselves in the conversation for a higher seed in the upcoming conference tournament?

Here are the latest odds for the rematch over at WynnBET Sportsbook:

Middle Tennessee State vs. Charlotte Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Middle Tennessee State -1.5 (-110)
  • Charlotte +1.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Middle Tennessee State -125
  • Charlotte +105

Total:

  • 139 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)

Middle Tennessee State vs. Charlotte Prediction and Pick

There's been a major shift from the consensus opening number in this game, dropping a full five points from 144 down to 139. While I was initially leaning in that direction, I'm going to fade it given a five-point swing is awfully high.

Instead, I'll take the slight home dog in Charlotte for a few different reasons.

The first is they have more at stake. Middle Tennessee State already has won the regular season conference title, and the 49ers could potentially move from the No. 4 seed to as high as No. 2 if they win out and get some help with losses from Western Kentucky and Florida Atlantic.

Then, there's the strong offensive production as of late from Charlotte. Over their last five games, via CBB Analytics, they rank in the 100th percentile in made field goals, and are crushing it in the mid-range in the 94th percentile. They're also outstanding in shooting threes in the corner, getting efficient shots and hitting 19 of their last 21 over the past five games.

While Middle Tennessee State is the far better team across the board, the oddsmakers clearly give Charlotte a shot at home to pull off the upset. With the top spot in the Conference USA tournament completely wrapped up with a four game lead and two games to go, the Blue Raiders would still need to win to have a shot in the NCAA tournament regardless.

LEAN: Charlotte +1.5 (-110)

Follow all of Ben Heisler's betting plays in real-time HERE.

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