Charleston Cougars vs Hampton Pirates

This NCAAB matchup features Charleston Cougars (20-10 (11-4)) traveling to take on Hampton Pirates (12-17 (9-2)) at Convocation Center (VA), Hampton, VA. The Charleston hold a clear statistical edge this season, outperforming the Hampton by 3.4 points per game in scoring margin. That differential will be a key factor in this matchup. Hampton averages 69.2 points per game, but they face a Charleston defense that holds opponents to 73.0 PPG. The visitors' defensive prowess could limit the home team's scoring output. The Charleston offense puts up 75.6 PPG and faces a Hampton defense allowing 70.0 PPG. The visitors have the offensive firepower to stay in this one. Home court advantage is worth approximately 3.5 points in NCAAB, and Hampton will look to leverage their home crowd. Our model sees this as essentially a coin-flip game, projecting just a 1.8-point margin. Expect a tight finish. The 68% confidence interval ranges from Hampton winning by 14 to losing by 11. The market has this game at +4.5, but our model sees value on Hampton with a 6.3-point edge. Our line: Hampton -1.8. Combined with the total projection of 145 versus the market line of 139.5, there are opportunities to find value on both sides of this matchup.

Hampton has struggled this season at 12-17 (9-2). The wins have been hard to come by, and the team is looking for answers on both ends of the floor. Home court advantage will be critical for any chance at pulling off an upset. Charleston sits at 20-10 (11-4) on the season. They've been competitive in most outings but have had their share of inconsistent performances. On the road, they'll need to bring their best effort to come away with a win. When these teams meet, the home team typically has the edge given the crowd advantage and familiarity factor. The team that controls tempo and limits turnovers will likely dictate the outcome of this matchup.