The Vermont Catamounts (27-7) challenge the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (24-7) in the NIT at Murphy Athletic Center. The game will air on ESPNU at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 13, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 138.5 points with Middle Tennessee set as a 6-point favorite.
Vermont Catamounts vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Betting Prediction
The last time the Catamounts played, they were topped by the UMBC Retrievers, 65-62. UMBC’s turnover percentage was their largest strength over Vermont. The Retrievers had a rate of 6.2 (better than their season average of 15.6), while the Catamounts posted a mark of 20.7 (above their season average of 15.3). Trae Bell-Haynes was Vermont’s high scorer with 18 points on 5-for-8 shooting.
The Blue Raiders lost a tough one against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in their last outing, 71-68. Southern Miss’ 0.218 free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Middle Tennessee, who had a mark of 0.094. The Golden Eagles’ mark was above their season average of 0.206, while the Blue Raiders’ was below their season average of 0.236. With 17 points on 6-for-14 shooting, Nick King led Middle Tennessee in scoring.
Baskets could be hard to come by as a pair of the nation’s top defenses go head-to-head. Middle Tennessee ranks 27th in defensive efficiency (97.4) and Vermont is 57th (99.4). Furthermore, the Catamounts rank 257th in offensive rebounding percentage (26.6 percent), while the Blue Raiders rank ninth in defensive rebounding percentage (77.6 percent).
Vermont is 27-7 straight up (SU), but they have a difficult time covering the spread (4-5 against the spread (ATS)). Of the Catamounts’ 9 games with betting action, six have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Middle Tennessee owns records of 24-7 SU and 16-12 ATS. Much like Vermont, Blue Raiders games also have a tendency to finish under the total (67.9 percent).
Drew Urquhart and Payton Henson have played at a high level over the last five games for Vermont. Urquhart has averaged 15.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Not to be outdone, Henson has put up 15.6 points and 6.2 rebounds a game during that span.
Vermont Catamounts at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Pick
Free Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Middle Tennessee, ATS Winner – Middle Tennessee, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Middle Tennessee ranks 114th in rebounds per game (36.2) while Vermont ranks 244th (33.4).
The Blue Raiders rank 127th in steals per game (6.3) while the Catamounts rank 255th (3.8).
Middle Tennessee ranks 49th in blocks allowed per game (2.7) while Vermont ranks 92nd (3.1).
The Blue Raiders rank 216th in three pointers attempted per game (19.7) while the Catamounts rank 249th (18.7).
Middle Tennessee ranks 42nd in assists allowed per game (11.4) while Vermont ranks 52nd (11.6).
Bettings Trends:
The Catamounts’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.4, up from 9.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Blue Raiders have scored an average of 76.6 points per game (1.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 67.0 points per game (1.2 above their season average).
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