Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (3-8) vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (12-4)
Game Info: Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 2:00 pm (Murphy Athletic Center)
Betting Odds: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders +10.5 -- Over/Under: 137.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: CBS Sports Network Stream College Basketball all season on ESPN+. Sign up now!
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will travel to the Murphy Athletic Center to take on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders this Sunday afternoon in College Basketball action.
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will look for a 2-game sweep of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders after the Hilltoppers defeated the Blue Raiders by an 82-67 margin on Saturday night. Western Kentucky was outstanding on the offensive end against Middle Tennessee and was able to easily pull away in the 2nd half after taking a 53-36 lead with 14:35 left in regulation. Western Kentucky shot 51.1% from the field and 50.0% from beyond the are while Middle Tennessee shot 45.5% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc. Western Kentucky outrebounded Middle Tennessee by a 35-21 margin and forced 14 turnovers in the victory. Leading the way for the Hilltoppers was Charles Bassey (16 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 blocks) while the Blue Raiders were led by Eli Lawrence (14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals).
On the season, Western Kentucky is averaging 74.4 ppg on 44.9% shooting from the field. The Hilltoppers are averaging 5.9 three-pointers per game on 33.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Western Kentucky has been led by Charles Bassey (17.5 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 3.3 bpg), Taveion Hollingsworth (13.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.3 spg), Josh Anderson (10.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.0 spg), & Luke Frampton (7.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.2 apg).
Defensively, Western Kentucky is allowing their opponents to average 70.6 ppg on 43.9% shooting from the field. The Hilltoppers have a rebound margin of 8.1 and a turnover margin of -0.9.
On the season, Middle Tennessee is averaging 61.7 ppg on 37.8% shooting from the field. The Blue Raiders are averaging 6.7 three-pointers per game on 29.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Middle Tennessee has been led by Dontrell Shuler (12.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.1 spg), Jordan Davis (10.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.0 spg), Jo’Vontae Millner-Criss (7.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg), & Donovan Sims (7.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.7 apg).
Defensively, Middle Tennessee is holding their opponents to an average of 67.2 ppg on 44.1% shooting from the field. The Blue Raiders have a rebound margin of -1.3 and a turnover margin of -0.4.
The Hilltoppers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win and 9-4 ATS in their last 13 road games. The Blue Raiders are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as a home underdog and just 2-9 ATS in their last 11 home games.
Western Kentucky has won 4 of their last 5 games and is one of the better mid-major teams in the country with the duo of Charles Bassey & Taveion Hollingsworth. Middle Tennessee has been able to pick a few wins at home this season behind a defense that keeps the game at a slow pace, however, between the fact that the Blue Raiders offense ranks just 328th in scoring offense & 329th in FG% and that Western Kentucky defense should have a major advantage again downlow like we saw on Saturday, I think the play here is took take Western Kentucky to win big for the 2nd straight day and cover this large spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -10.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05