The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2-0) will be at home in Murphy Athletic Center when they challenge the Belmont Bruins (1-1). The games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 145.5 points with Middle Tennessee opening as a 6-point favorite. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 16, 2017.
Belmont Bruins vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Free Preview
In the Bruins last outing, they were victorious over the Vanderbilt Commodores, 69-60. Dylan Windler was the top scorer from either team with 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting. The Bruins had a much better turnover percentage (13.3 vs. 19.6) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.463 vs. 0.396).
The Blue Raiders come in on a high note after beating the Murray State Racers in their last game, 72-67. With 31 points on 12-for-16 shooting, Nick King was the top scorer from either team. The Blue Raiders had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (34.4 vs. 22.9) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.447 vs. 0.435).
Middle Tennessee should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Since the 2016-17 season, Middle Tennessee ranks 20th in the NCAA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.9 percent), while Belmont has forced the 45th-fewest turnovers (16.8 percent). Also, the elite offense of the Bruins ranks 16th in effective field goal percentage (0.556), while the Blue Raiders have been 56th-best in the nation at effective field goal percentage allowed (0.476).
The Bruins are 23-7 straight up (SU) and 16-13 against the spread (ATS) since last season. Belmont games have had a slight tendency to go under the O/U total since last season (51.7 percent).
On the other hand, the Blue Raiders, are 32-4 SU and 23-11-2 ATS since last season. Over that same time frame, Middle Tennessees games have finished under the projected point total 58.3 percent of the time.
The Blue Raiders won the lone game against the Bruins last season, 79-66. The Blue Raiders played a nearly perfect game. They had an absurdly low turnover percentage of 6.9 and a free throw rate of 0.233. The Bruins were 18.7 and 0.111, respectively, for those same stats.
Belmont Bruins vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Middle Tennessee, ATS Winner – Middle Tennessee, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Blue Raiders allow the ninth-fewest rebounds per game (30.1) while the Bruins rank 46th (32.6).
- Belmont ranks 36th in assists per game (15.9) while Middle Tennessee ranks 70th (15.2).
- Belmont ranks fourth in three pointers attempted per game (29.8) while Middle Tennessee ranks 295th (17.4).
- The Blue Raiders rank 84th in steals per game (6.9) while the Bruins rank 289th (4.3).
- Middle Tennessee ranks 12th in blocks allowed per game (2.3) while Belmont ranks 66th (2.9).
