UNC Wilmington vs Charleston Prediction & Picks (2023 CAA Championship)

Eddie Griffin

It’s win or bust tonight for the College of Charleston, as the Cougars will take on UNC Wilmington for the Colonial Athletic Association title in Washington D.C. (7:00 pm ET, CBS Sports Network).

Last night, the second-seeded Cougars (30-3) became the first team in college basketball this season to reach the 30-win mark with a 77-72 semifinal win over third-seeded Towson.

Tonight, they will meet the fourth-seeded Seahawks (24-9), who upset top seed Hofstra in overtime.

Last season, the Seahawks were upset by Delaware in the championship game. Will they turn the tables on the Cougars this year? Read on for our UNC Wilmington vs Charleston basketball prediction and picks.

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UNC Wilmington vs Charleston Odds

Odds for UNC Wilmington vs Charleston are via FanDuel as of Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 9:55 am ET.

Spread

  • UNC Wilmington +9.5 (-105)
  • Charleston -9.5 (-115)

Over/Under

  • Over 140.5 (-110)
  • Under 140.5 (-110)

Moneyline

  • UNC Wilmington +385
  • Charleston -520

Will the Cougars Cruise Tonight?

That Charleston had a tough time with Towson last night is no surprise, given that the Tigers had played them close in both regular season meetings.

But it is notable that the Cougars still scored 77 points despite not shooting the ball well at all. They were only 7 of 28 (25%) from three and made just 34.4% (21 of 61) from the field overall, but making 28 of 35 free throws helped them fend off the Tigers’ upset bid.

As has been the case most of the season, hitting the 75-point mark proved to be key for Charleston. In the 24 Division I games this season in which they have scored 75 or more points, the Cougars are 22-2 SU and 17-7-0 ATS.

That includes a 93-61 home win over UNC Wilmington, in which they covered as a 9.5-point favorite.

If the Cougars can produce on offense tonight, they will likely loc up their first March Madness berth since 2018.

In the nine games this season in which the Seahawks have allowed 70+ points, they are 3-6 SU and 1-7-1 ATS. Last night’s OT win over Hofstra was actually the first time this season that UNC Wilmington has covered the spread while allowing 70+ points.

UNC Wilmington vs Charleston Prediction and Picks

Seahawks vs Cougars Prediction: Charleston to win

Seahawks vs Cougars Picks: Charleston team total over 75.5 (Best Value: FanDuel) & UNC Wilmington/Charleston over 139.5 (FanDuel)

When these two teams met in Wilmington, the Cougars only won 71-69, so the Seahawks do have a close contest to use as a reference point for tonight’s game.

However, I like the Cougars to get it done tonight in D.C. I’m staying away from the sizable spread, but I’m rolling with a couple of total picks that fall in line with how most of Charleston’s games this season.

When the Cougars have scored 75+ points against a Division I opponent this season, 140 or more combined points have been scored 19 of 24 times.

Eddie Griffin

Eddie Griffin has been writing about and betting on sports for over a decade. He joined the ranks of Betting News as a content manager. For more of his thoughts on sports and sports betting, you can follow him on Twitter.

Eddie Griffin has been writing about and betting on sports for over a decade. He joined the ranks of Betting News as a content manager. For more of his thoughts on sports and sports betting, you can follow him on Twitter.