It will be a battle between CUSA opponents when the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (14-5, 6-1 CUSA) welcome the UTSA Roadrunners (10-10, 3-4 CUSA) to Murphy Athletic Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 25, 2018.
Middle Tennessee is a 14.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 150 points.
UTSA Roadrunners vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Betting Prediction
The last time the Roadrunners played, they defeated the UTEP Miners, 65-61. UTSA won the rebounding battle. The Roadrunners had 10 offensive rebounds and 43 total rebounds, while the Miners had one and 32, respectively. UTSA was lifted by Keaton Wallace, who was the top scorer from either team with 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting.
The Blue Raiders were victorious over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in their last game, 66-62. The Blue Raiders forced 15 turnovers and held the Hilltoppers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.451 (below their season average of 0.549). Nick King was the top scorer from either team with 28 points on 11-for-21 shooting.
This game should be a showdown of contrasting tempos. UTSA prefers a fast-paced style of play (14th in possessions per game), while Middle Tennessee is more half-court-oriented (272nd in possessions per game).
UTSA heads into the contest with records of 10-10 straight up (SU) and 7-7 against the spread (ATS). Of the Roadrunners’ 14 games with betting action, eight have finished over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Middle Tennessee owns records of 14-5 SU and 9-7 ATS. Unlike UTSA, games including the Blue Raiders tend to finish under the total (81.3 percent).
Jhivvan Jackson has averaged 23.6 points and 1.2 steals over the last five games for UTSA.
After the Blue Raiders won both meetings against the Roadrunners last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last matchup, Middle Tennessee won 86-70. Middle Tennessee had a much better turnover percentage (9.9 vs. 15.6). UTSA, meanwhile, did a great job of making free throws (20-28; 71.4 percent).
UTSA Roadrunners at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Middle Tennessee, ATS Winner – UTSA, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, UTSA is 6-3 ATS with 7 overs and 2 unders.
At home, Middle Tennessee is 3-1 ATS with 4 unders and 0 overs.
UTSA ranks eighth in three pointers attempted per game (29.4) while Middle Tennessee ranks 242nd (18.4).
The Blue Raiders rank 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (30.9) while the Roadrunners rank 251st (38.6).
Middle Tennessee ranks 19th in steals allowed per game (4.9) while UTSA ranks 24th (5.0).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, UTSA is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Middle Tennessee is 3-2 ATS with 5 unders over their last five games.
The Roadrunners have been outscored by an average of 2.2 points in their last five games. On the season, UTSA has defeated opponents by an average of 5.9 points.
During their last five games, the Blue Raiders have scored an average of 66.2 points per game (7.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 59.6 points per game (6.8 below their season average).
