Elon College Phoenix vs NC Charlotte 49ers Point Spread Picks

Certainly many are familiar with Charlotte, but Elon, a school in central North Carolina with a population of less than 10,000 is unfamiliar to most, and sometimes that is where the best line value comes from. The Phoenix were 16-16 a year ago. Elon has four starters returning from that team, as well as a pair of promising freshman, and look to improve upon the .500 record from a year ago. Charlotte finished just 14-19 a year ago, and while they return six players from that team, they are still somewhat green, and not very deep. Both teams won their cupcake opponent openers, but I think early on Elon has more experience from a better team a year ago, are also home for this one, and will prevail. Yes, both of these teams scored over 100 in their openers, but those games came against Newberry and William Peace. Who?!? The offense won't come as easily in this one. Elon is 54-31 to the UNDER in their last 85 as a favroite, including 36-18 UNDER since the arrival of current head coach Matt Matheny. The Phoenix are also 39-27 UNDER in the Matheny era after a win. Make the play on Elon and the UNDER.

A tough spot for Elon, opening on the road against a Charlotte program introducing a new coach, Mark Price. Elon is coming off a losing campaign and is on a 2-5 spread run on the road. Elon has a young squad this season with 10 of the 18 members either at freshman or sophomore status. NC Charlotte is 4-1 ATS against the Colonial Athletic Association. The 49ers have won three straight games in the series giving them a 3-1 series advantage. Charlotte defeated Elon in their regular-season opener on the road last season, 73-60, last November. The 49ers also defeated Elon 83-69 in their only other game in Charlotte's Halton Arena, November 15, 2013 and they hold all the cards in this one-sided game. Play Charlotte. 

The NC Charlotte 49ers have a deep backcourt, led by point guard Pierria Henry and Florida-transfer Braxton Ogbueze, and one of league’s top rebounders in Willie Clayton. This is their opener and they are at Elon, a team that does not have a strong home court. The Phoenix are 4-14 ATS in their last 18 home games. Elon is in North Carolina, so this is not a long road trip and the wagering value is with NC Charlotte to win the game. Play NC Charlotte on the Money-Line.