Game: Charlotte 49ers vs. Memphis Tigers

Date: February 8th at 2:00 PM ET

Where to Watch: ESPN+

After a hard-fought loss, the Charlotte 49ers continue their road trip with a stop in Memphis, Tennessee to take on the Memphis Tigers. 

Despite the setback, Charlotte remains just one game back in the American Conference standings, sitting at 13–10 overall with a 7–3 conference record.  This matchup represents another Quad 2 opportunity for the 49ers, a quadrant in which they are still searching for their first win this season at 0–3. Through 23 games, Charlotte is averaging 73.8 points per game (205th in Division I) while allowing 73.1 points per game (137th).

Memphis has shown flashes of strong play at times this season, though inconsistency has also been an issue. The Tigers are 11–11 overall with a 6–4 record in American Conference play. Facing a Charlotte team ranked 155th in the NET, this qualifies as a Quad 3 matchup for Memphis, a quadrant in which the Tigers are 4–1 this season. Memphis is averaging 75.0 points per game (177th in Division I) while allowing 73.5 points per game (148th).

With several teams clustered near the top of the American Conference standings, this game carries significant implications as the season begins to wind down.

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Betting Overview

Memphis opened as an 8.5-point favorite, with some sportsbooks nudging the line up to 9 or even 9.5. The moneyline has seen modest movement, with Charlotte drifting from +310 to +350, while Memphis has moved from –395 to –425. The total, however, has remained steady at 144.5.

KenPom Ratings

According to KenPom, Memphis sits 100th nationally with a +7.33 net rating, while Charlotte ranks 165th with a –0.13 net rating. The Tigers’ profile is built around defense, posting an adjusted defensive efficiency rating of 100.2 (36th nationally), though their adjusted offensive efficiency of 107.5 ranks just 209th. Charlotte, conversely, brings a stronger offensive profile with an adjusted offensive efficiency rating of 113.8 (104th nationally), but struggles defensively, with an adjusted defensive efficiency of 113.9 (269th nationally).

Betting Trends

These teams have only met twice in recent seasons, dating back to February of 2024. In those matchups, Memphis won both games, while each team covered the spread once. Both contests also resulted in the under hitting.

Charlotte enters this matchup with a 12–10 ATS record, along with a 4–4 mark on the road, a 2–3 record as an away underdog, a 6–5 record with 2–3 days of rest, and a 6–4 record in the American. Totals have leaned toward the over, hitting in 13 of 22 games overall. On the road, the over has hit in 5 of 8 games, including 3 of 5 as a road underdog. In games with 2–3 days of rest, the over has hit in 7 of 11 contests, as well as 7 of 10 in American Conference play.

Memphis is also 12–10 ATS on the season, posting an 8–4 record at home, a 6–4 mark as a home favorite, a 6–6 record with 2–3 days of rest, and a 3–7 record in the American. Totals have been evenly split for the Tigers, hitting 11 overs and 11 unders. At home, totals have also split evenly at 6–6, though they have favored the over in 6 of 10 games as a home favorite. In games with 2–3 days of rest, the under has hit in 6 of 11, while in American Conference games the over has hit in 6 of 10.

Final Thoughts

With significant implications attached to this matchup, I expect both teams to give a full effort. Given Memphis’ inconsistency this season, I lean toward Charlotte covering the 9–9.5 point spread. As for the total, the prevailing trends point toward the over in this contest.