The Princeton Tigers (5-6) and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (7-2) face off in the Diamond Head Classic at Stan Sheriff Center. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 135.5 points with Middle Tennessee opening as a 5.5-point favorite. Action starts at 5:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 22, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPNU.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Princeton Tigers Betting Preview
The Blue Raiders lost to the Auburn Tigers in their last outing, 76-70. Giddy Potts had a good game for Middle Tennessee, leading both teams in scoring with 19 points on 4-for-9 shooting. Auburn’s offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over Middle Tennessee. The Tigers had a rate of 24.1 (below their season average of 39.4), while the Blue Raiders posted a mark of 20.6 (below their season average of 33.7).
In the Tigers last matchup, they topped the No. 25 USC Trojans, 103-93. Princeton received a boost from Myles Stephens, who was the games leading scorer with 30 points on 10-for-16 shooting. Princeton dominated every stat category in the game. They had a great free throw rate of 0.318 (above their season average of 0.175) and a turnover percentage of 11.3 (better than their season average of 17.3). USC had marks of 0.194 and 13.7, respectively, for those same stats.
Second-chance points might be rare for Princeton in this showdown. The Tigers rank 331st in offensive rebounding percentage (23.9 percent), while Middle Tennessee ranks 17th in defensive rebounding percentage (76.2 percent) dating back to last season.
Of Middle Tennessee’s 6 games with betting action, five have finished under the projected point total, while 4 of Princeton’s 8 games have finished over the projected point total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Blue Raiders have a sizable advantage. They are 7-2 SU and 4-2 ATS, while the Tigers are 5-6 SU and 3-5 ATS.
Stephens has been exceptional over the last five games for Princeton, averaging 14.8 points and 1.2 blocks per game.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Princeton Tigers Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Middle Tennessee, ATS Winner – Middle Tennessee, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Blue Raiders are 48th in the nation with 18.9 three pointers allowed per game while the Tigers are 58th with 19.6 three pointers allowed per game.
- Middle Tennessee ranks 38th in steals per game (7.0) while Princeton ranks 182nd (6.2).
- The Blue Raiders rank 139th in rebounds per game (35.5) while the Tigers rank 266th (32.3).
- Princeton ranks eighth in assists allowed per game (10.3) while Middle Tennessee ranks 75th (11.3).
