BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — A surging South Florida team looks to continue its dominant run while a resurgent Charlotte squad seeks revenge and a season-defining win when the Bulls and 49ers meet Saturday in an American Athletic Conference men’s basketball matchup at Legacy Arena.

The No. 2-seeded Bulls (23-8) enter as heavy favorites, having won eight of their last nine games. Their most recent victory was a commanding 83-60 dismantling of these same 49ers just six days ago in Tampa. Joseph Pinion led the way in that contest, scoring 22 points. The guard has been a consistent force, averaging 16.3 points over his last six games for a South Florida offense that has scored 83 or more points in five of its last seven outings.

The 10th-seeded Charlotte 49ers (17-16), however, arrive with momentum after winning two games in as many days to advance. They edged UAB 83-78 on Friday behind a spectacular 35-point, 6-assist performance from guard Dezayne Mingo. That outing capped a remarkable two-day stretch for Mingo, who tallied 54 points and 17 assists in the victories over Tulane and UAB. His play is the catalyst for a Charlotte team that has shown a recent uptick, winning three of its last five after a four-game skid in February.

The venue shifts to a neutral court for this conference tournament showdown, but the recent head-to-head result looms large. South Florida’s defense stifled Charlotte last weekend, holding Mingo to just nine points. Containing the red-hot guard again will be a primary focus for the Bulls’ defense.

South Florida, installed as an 11.5-point favorite, boasts a balanced attack. Alongside Pinion, Wes Enis (20 points vs. Charlotte) and Izaiyah Nelson provide scoring punch. Charlotte will need another heroic effort from Mingo and support from contributors like Ben Bradford, who had 17 points and seven rebounds against UAB, to challenge the conference’s top tier.

The over/under is set at 153.5 points. The teams’ last meeting fell well under that total, but Charlotte’s recent offensive surge suggests a higher-scoring affair could be in store if the 49ers can maintain their form.

Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, with the winner advancing in the AAC tournament.