American Conference rivals collide Sunday on ESPNU as the Charlotte 49ers host the UTSA Roadrunners at Halton Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Roadrunners (4-20, 0–12 American) are still searching for their first conference victory — and first win since late November. The 49ers (13–11, 7–4 American) are looking to nip a brief skid in the bud, dropping back-to-back games following a strong start to conference play.
The teams first met on Jan. 7 in San Antonio, where the 49ers rolled to a 74–58 victory.
Tipoff is set for 12 p.m. ET. Charlotte enters as a hefty 15.5-point home favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while UTSA sits as a +1000 underdog. The game’s total is set at 147.5 points.
Roadrunners vs. 49ers Preview
UTSA Roadrunners Preview
The Roadrunners are in dire straits. They haven’t won a game since late November, and two of their four victories came against DII College of Biblical Studies and NAIA Southwestern Christian.
To truly comprehend UTSA’s struggles, it’s best to look at the numbers on a national scale. Among 365 qualifying DI schools, the program ranks 328th in scoring, 361st in field-goal percentage, 337th in opponent points, and 364th in opponent rebounds — and those are just the cliff notes. The Roadrunners’ average point differential of minus 11.9 is the 10th-worst mark in the country.
Southern Utah transfer Jamir Simpson has shouldered much of the offensive load, leading the team with a respectable 15.9 points per game. But the optimism ends there — no other player averages double figures.
Charlotte 49ers Preview
Charlotte’s problems pale in comparison to those of its upcoming opponent. The 49ers have gone 7–4 in the American Conference and 9–4 at home, relying on a measured offense that compensates for a largely porous defense.
They play at a slow, methodical pace that ranks 349th nationally in KenPom’s adjusted tempo, which has yielded a top-three field-goal percentage in the conference. Sophomore guard Ben Bradford and Marshall transfer Dezayne Mingo each average roughly 12 points per game apiece, with the latter leading the team in assists at 4.3 a night. Former Providence seven-footer Anton Bonke contributes 10.3 points and eight rebounds — fifth-most in the conference.
But cracks are apparent on the other end. Charlotte allows the conference’s fewest opponent rebounds but also surrenders the highest opponent field-goal percentage. Meanwhile, the 49ers rank 339th nationally in forced turnovers and 351st in steals.
Roadrunners vs. 49ers Pick, Best Bet
UTSA has lost all 12 of its American Conference matchups by an average of more than 20 points. In all but two of those games, the Roadrunners fell by at least 15.5 points — a demoralizing stretch that includes a 16-point drubbing at the hands of Charlotte. They now trudge into enemy territory for the rematch.
While Charlotte’s defense opens the door for opposing teams to capitalize, expect the 49ers to slam it shut on the haphazard Roadrunners once again on Sunday.
