Game: Tulane Green Wave vs. Charlotte 49ers

Date: March 12th at 7:00 PM ET

Where to Watch: ESPNU

After receiving a first-round bye, the Charlotte 49ers will begin their run in the American Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament this evening against the Tulane Green Wave.

Tulane had been riding a lengthy losing streak until last night, when they defeated the Memphis Tigers — the same team that beat them in the regular-season finale — to advance to the second round of the tournament. The Green Wave now sit at 18-14 overall with an 8-10 record in regular-season American play. This matchup qualifies as a Quad 3 game for Tulane, and they are currently 4-7 against opponents in that quadrant. Tulane is averaging 72.4 points per game (234th in Division I) while allowing 75.7 points per contest (211th nationally).

Charlotte has been somewhat inconsistent lately and enters this matchup with a 15-16 overall record and a 9-9 mark in American play. On a neutral court, Tulane will count as a Quad 4 opponent for the 49ers, and Charlotte is 10-2 against teams in that quadrant this season. The 49ers are averaging 72.9 points per game (228th in Division I) while allowing 74.2 points per contest (169th nationally). With both teams ranking relatively close statistically, this has the potential to be a tightly contested matchup in the American Conference Tournament.

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Betting Overview

The spread in this matchup has remained fairly consistent, with Charlotte listed as a 1.5-point favorite across most sportsbooks.

Looking at the moneyline, Charlotte currently sits around -118, while Tulane is close behind at -102, making this matchup nearly a pick’em. The total has also dropped slightly from the opening number of 144.5 and now sits around 142.5 at most sportsbooks.

KenPom Ratings

According to KenPom, these teams are very closely ranked. Charlotte sits 194th nationally with a net rating of -2.33, while Tulane ranks 202nd with a net rating of -2.90.

The 49ers hold an adjusted offensive efficiency rating of 112.6 (113th nationally) along with an adjusted defensive efficiency rating of 115.0 (290th nationally). Tulane, meanwhile, enters with an adjusted offensive efficiency rating of 108.4 (185th nationally) and an adjusted defensive efficiency rating of 111.3 (214th nationally).

Betting Trends

In the earlier meeting this season, the Charlotte 49ers came away with a 73–70 victory over the Tulane Green Wave. Charlotte covered the spread in that matchup, and the under also cashed with the closing total set at 143.5. Looking at the last four meetings between these teams dating back to 2024, each side has won twice and covered twice, while the totals have also split evenly with two overs and two unders.

Tulane enters this contest with a 15-16 ATS record, including a 2-2 mark on neutral courts, an 8-10 record as an underdog, and an 11-8 record in AAC play. Totals have leaned toward the under in Green Wave games this season, hitting in 17 of 31 contests. On neutral courts, however, the over has hit in three of four games. When Tulane has been an underdog, the under has connected in nine of 18 games with one push. In American Conference matchups, the under has hit in 11 of 19 games.

Charlotte comes into this matchup 16-14 ATS, including a 1-1 record on neutral floors, an 8-5 mark as a favorite, and a 10-8 record in conference play. Totals have leaned toward the over in 49ers games this season, hitting in 18 of 30 contests. On neutral courts, totals have split evenly with one over and one under. When Charlotte has been favored, the over has hit in seven of 13 games, and in American Conference play the over has cashed in 12 of 18 matchups.

Final Thoughts

This should be an exciting way for Charlotte to begin its postseason run in the American Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament. Given how evenly these teams match up, this game has the potential to come down to the final few possessions.

I expect Charlotte to edge out Tulane in a tight contest and ultimately cover the spread. As for the total, I would lean toward the over in this matchup.