It will be a battle between CUSA opponents when the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (11-4, 3-0 CUSA) welcome the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (10-7, 1-3 CUSA) to Murphy Athletic Center. The game will air on CBS Sports Network at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 11, 2018.
Middle Tennessee opened as a 9-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 142.5 points.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders ATS Prediction
The last time the Bulldogs played, they beat the UTEP Miners, 97-88. The Bulldogs knocked down 28 of their 37 free throws (75.7 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 10.2 (better than their season average of 15.5). Louisiana Tech was lifted by Jacobi Boykins, who finished with 14 points.
The Blue Raiders were victorious over the Florida Atlantic Owls in their last contest, 61-57. Middle Tennessee’s rebounding was their largest advantage. The Blue Raiders had 14 offensive rebounds and 42 total rebounds, while the Owls had four and 36, respectively. Nick King was Middle Tennessee’s leading scorer with 16 points on 7-for-18 shooting.
The physical Louisiana Tech offense might be living from the foul line in this contest. The Bulldogs currently rank 23rd in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.302, while Middle Tennessee is among the NCAA’s most foul-prone squads (giving up a 345th-ranked FTA rate of 0.343).
Louisiana Tech heads into the contest with records of 10-7 straight up (SU) and 5-8 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total high when the Bulldogs are involved, as 69.2 percent of their games have ended under the total.
Meanwhile, Middle Tennessee is 11-4 SU and 6-6 ATS. Similarly to Louisiana Tech, games featuring the Blue Raiders also have typically gone under the projected point total (75.0 percent).
Boykins has averaged 18.0 points over the last five games for Louisiana Tech.
After the Blue Raiders won the lone game against the Bulldogs last season, 71-61, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Blue Raiders had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (42.9 vs. 31.4) and had a better turnover percentage (14.9 vs. 19.3).
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Middle Tennessee, ATS Winner – Louisiana Tech, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Louisiana Tech is 4-4 ATS with 6 unders and 2 overs.
Middle Tennessee is 1-1 ATS at home with 2 unders and 0 overs.
Louisiana Tech ranks 38th in blocks per game (4.8) while Middle Tennessee ranks 164th (2.2).
The Blue Raiders rank 40th in rebounds allowed per game (31.8) while the Bulldogs rank 116th (34.5).
Louisiana Tech ranks 159th in three pointers attempted per game (21.4) while Middle Tennessee ranks 230th (18.4).
The Blue Raiders rank 13th in steals allowed per game (4.7) while the Bulldogs rank 63rd (5.7).
Middle Tennessee averages 13.9 assists per game, which ranks 127th in the NCAA. Louisiana Tech ranks 128th in assists allowed per game (13.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Louisiana Tech is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Middle Tennessee is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.4, down from 8.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Blue Raiders have scored an average of 72.0 points per game (2.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 71.2 points per game (3.1 above their season average).
