UNC-Charlotte vs Hawaii Picks and Prediction – 12/23/2024

The Charlotte 49ers (6-4) travel to Honolulu to face the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (6-3) in a late-night matchup at Stan Sheriff Center. Charlotte enters with back-to-back wins, while Hawai'i looks to defend its strong 6-1 home record after a recent victory against AMCC. Get ready for the college basketball season with our college basketball picks.

Charlotte’s offense averages 72.4 points per game, fueled by guard Nik Graves, who leads with 16.7 points and 3.2 assists per game. Graves is shooting 42.9% from the field and 74.0% from the line. Charlotte’s supporting cast features Jaehshon Thomas, contributing 4.0 rebounds per game, and Robert Braswell IV, who adds 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks. The 49ers shoot 43.1% from the field and rely heavily on spacing to generate offense. 

Defensively, the 49ers allow 70.7 points per game and are holding opponents to 43.1% shooting. The perimeter defense has been solid, averaging 5.3 steals per game, with Braswell IV leading the charge. Charlotte’s shot-blocking remains an area of concern, managing only 2.1 blocks per game, which could be exploited by opponents with size. Despite a lack of size in the paint, Charlotte’s aggressive defense has forced turnovers to keep games competitive.

Hawai'i averages 74.7 points per game, led by forward Gytis Nemeiksa, who posts 14.0 points per contest while shooting 53.6% from the field. Center Tanner Christensen anchors the interior with 7.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, while Marcus Greene adds 2.4 assists as the primary facilitator. Hawai'i’s offense operates efficiently, hitting 47.1% of its field goals, and has shown the ability to execute in half-court sets. The ability to capitalize on mismatches in the paint has been a key to success at home.

Defensively, the Rainbow Warriors allow 70.0 points per game and dominate the boards, averaging 36.3 rebounds. The defensive versatility is bolstered by Christensen’s shot-blocking presence, complemented by the perimeter defense of Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, who averages 0.9 steals per game. Hawai'i’s ability to contest shots and limit second-chance opportunities has been vital, especially at home, where they’ve proven tough to break down.

Hawai'i’s offense and dominance on the boards give them an edge, especially at home, where they are 6-1 this season. Charlotte’s scoring punch keeps this matchup competitive, but Hawai'i’s rebounding and paint presence should control the pace. Look for the Rainbow Warriors to pull away late. Final Score Prediction: Hawai'i wins and covers 77-70.