Game: Tulane Green Wave vs. Charlotte 49ers

Date: January 23rd at 7:30 PM ET

Where to Watch: ESPN+

After a longer break than usual, the Charlotte 49ers return to the court tonight to take on the Tulane Green Wave. Tulane appeared to be a stronger team entering American Conference play, opening the season at 9-4 and starting conference action with a 3-0 run that pushed them to 12-4 overall. Since then, however, the Green Wave have dropped three straight games, bringing their conference record to 3-3 and their overall mark to 12-7.

With this contest being played on the road and Charlotte sitting 172nd in the NET rankings, this will be a Quad 3 matchup for Tulane—a quadrant in which they are 3-3 this season. Offensively, the Green Wave are not particularly prolific, averaging 72.7 points per game (232nd in Division I), while allowing 73.7 points per game defensively (145th in Division I).

Charlotte snapped back into the win column on Sunday against ECU in a game they largely controlled, though it became interesting late. That victory pushed the 49ers back over .500 at 10-9 overall, with a 4-2 record in the American. This matchup qualifies as a Quad 4 game for Charlotte, and they have been perfect in that category this season at 8-0. On the year, the 49ers are averaging 73.7 points per game (210th in Division I) while allowing 73.2 points per game (133rd in Division I). All signs point toward another tightly contested American Conference matchup on Friday night—let’s take a deeper look at which team holds the edge.

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Betting Overview

There has been little movement since this line opened, with Charlotte holding steady as a 3.5-point favorite. On the moneyline, the best value for Tulane is currently +155 at FanDuel, while Charlotte can be found at -165 at Bet365. The total shows minor variance across sportsbooks, with numbers sitting at either 143 or 143.5.

KenPom Ratings

According to KenPom, these teams are closely matched. Charlotte checks in at 181st with a net rating of -1.64, while Tulane sits 191st with a net rating of -2.43. Charlotte grades out as the more efficient offensive team, posting an adjusted offensive efficiency rating of 113.2 (123rd nationally), though their adjusted defensive efficiency of 114.8 ranks just 271st. Tulane appears slightly more balanced, with an adjusted offensive efficiency of 109.6 (179th nationally) and an adjusted defensive efficiency of 112.0 (215th nationally).

Betting Trends

There isn’t an extensive history between these programs, but they have met three times dating back to 2024. Tulane has held the edge, winning two of the three matchups and covering in both victories. Totals have slightly favored the over, which has hit in two of the three meetings.

This season, Tulane is 8-10 ATS, with a 3-1 record on the road, a 1-0 mark as a road underdog, a 1-0 record with one day of rest, and a 4-2 record in the American. In the totals market, the under has been more profitable, hitting in 11 of 18 games. On the road, the under has cashed in three of four games, including the lone contest as a road underdog. In Tulane’s one game with just one day of rest, the over hit, while in conference play the under has connected in five of six games.

Charlotte is an even 9-9 ATS on the season, with a 5-5 record at home, a 4-3 mark as a home favorite, a 2-4 record with four or more days of rest, and a 3-3 record in the American. Totals have leaned toward the over, hitting in 11 of 18 games, including six of ten at home and four of seven as a home favorite. In games with four or more days off, the over has hit in four of six, as well as in five of six conference games.

Final Thoughts

Everything points toward this being a tightly contested matchup. The key question will be whether Charlotte can capitalize on having significantly more rest than Tulane entering this game. Ultimately, that rest advantage could prove to be the difference, as the Green Wave come in with just one day off. While this game may start slowly for Charlotte, fresher legs should help them pull away enough to cover. As for the total, I would lean slightly toward the under.