Offense meets defense when the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2-1) visit Tennessee State to take on the Tigers (1-1). Middle Tennessee is a 7-point favorite on the opening line, while the games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 136.5 points. Action begins at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 18, 2017.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Tennessee State Tigers Odds Preview
The last time the Blue Raiders played, they lost to the Belmont Bruins, 69-63. With 21 points on 9-for-17 shooting, Nick King was Middle Tennessees leading scorer. Belmont did a great job of converting from the charity stripe (11-13; 84.6 percent). Middle Tennessee, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (15.2 vs. 22.5).
The Tigers hope to keep it rolling after thoroughly outplaying the Reinhardt Eagles in their last contest, 92-53. Tennessee State was led by KenDarrius Hamilton, who finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and five blocks. Tennessee State played a perfect game. They had a free throw rate of 0.091 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 37.1. For those same stats, Reinhardt was 0.048 and 22.2, respectively.
Baskets could be hard to come by in this contest between two of the NCAAs best defenses. Since last season, Tennessee State ranks 52nd in defensive efficiency (97.9) and Middle Tennessee is 25th (96.0). Furthermore, the Blue Raiders have committed the 22nd-fewest errors in the nation (turnover percentage of 16.0 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of the Tigers has caused the 15th-most (opponents turnover percentage of 22.8 percent).
Since last season, the Blue Raiders have had records of 32-5 straight up (SU) and 23-12-2 against the spread (ATS). Since last season, games featuring Middle Tennessee have had a tendency to go under the O/U total (59.5 percent).
The Tigers are 18-14 SU since last season, but are just 11-15 ATS. Over that same time frame, Tennessee States games have finished under the projected point total 57.7 percent of the time.
The Tigers won the only game against the Blue Raiders last season, 74-63. The Tigers played a nearly flawless game. They had a fantastic free throw rate of 0.489 and an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 40.0. For those same stats, the Blue Raiders had marks of 0.125 and 27.8, respectively.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Tennessee State Tigers ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Middle Tennessee, ATS Winner – Middle Tennessee, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Blue Raiders rank 14th in steals allowed per game (4.7) while the Tigers rank 75th (5.6).
- Middle Tennessee is ninth in the NCAA with 30.2 rebounds allowed per game while Tennessee State is 54th with 33.0 rebounds allowed per game.
- Middle Tennessee ranks 41st in three pointers allowed per game (18.7) while Tennessee State ranks 288th (24.3).
- The Blue Raiders rank 65th in assists per game (15.2) while the Tigers rank 282nd (11.4).
- Middle Tennessee ranks 15th in blocks allowed per game (2.4) while Tennessee State ranks 103rd (3.1).
