East Carolina @ Charlotte preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 18, 2017 ) Charlotte 69, East Carolina 50

East Carolina looks for its third straight win when it returns to the court after a 15-day layoff to take on host Charlotte in a non-conference matchup Tuesday. The Pirates routed Maryland-Eastern Shore 70-47 on Dec. 2 prior to a break for finals, while the 49ers have lost three in a row and have been off since Dec. 6 as a Dec. 9 contest with South Florida was cancelled because of a winter storm.

Freshman forward Jayden Gardner has been a revelation for coach Joe Dooley, leading East Carolina in scoring (19 points) and rebounding (8.6) while pacing the team in minutes played (29 per game). Sophomore guard Shawn Williams (13.2 points) is second on the team in scoring, and Dooley has a starting five consisting of freshmen and sophomores. Charlotte is also young, with four freshmen or sophomores in its starting five, but it's junior guard Jon Davis (20.4 points, 3.9 assists) who leads the way as he's the only 49er averaging in double figures. That lack of offense has been difficult for the 49ers, who hold opponents to 67.9 points but are averaging only 58.9 and commit 14.1 turnovers per contest.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (6-4): One of the biggest positives the Pirates have had going for them this season has been their 3-point defense, holding eight of their first 10 opponents to less than 30 percent from beyond the arc. East Carolina, which doesn't have much size with 6-8 Dimitrije Spasojevic the tallest starter, entered the week ranked 15th in the nation in 3-point percentage defense at 27 percent. Unfortunately, the Pirates haven't been able to get an advantage in the 3-pointer department, hitting 26.3 percent as a team, which ranks worst in the American Athletic Conference.

ABOUT CHARLOTTE (2-5): Charlotte coach Ron Sanchez is hoping that the long break from game action will help freshman guard Malik Martin find some consistency in his game. The 6-6 Martin is the team's second-leading scorer, averaging 9.3 points, with at least 13 points in four of his first seven collegiate contests. The problem is in his other three games - losses to James Madison, Davidson and Wake Forest - he scored a total of eight points on 3-of-22 shooting from the field, but after averaging 35.8 minutes this season, Martin may find himself a second wind after 11 days between games.

TIP-INS

1. East Carolina has held its last six opponents to a combined 33.5 percent shooting from the field, including 24.1 percent from 3-point range.

2. The 49ers have had trouble hanging onto the basketball, averaging 14.3 turnovers per contest, with opponents averaging 6.5 steals against Charlotte.

3. Gardner ranks tied for seventh nationally in free throws made (72) and tied for sixth in total free-throw attempts (90).

PREDICTION: East Carolina 74, Charlotte 68