Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (22-9) vs UTEP Miners (19-12)
Game Info: Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 9:00 pm (Ford Center at The Star)
Betting Odds: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders -2.5 -- Over/Under: 135.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The UTEP Miners will play the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Tournament on Thursday.
The UTEP Miners are 19-12 (11-7) this season and have won three games in a row. UTEP is coming off of a win against Old Dominion by a score of 74-64. UTEP shot 49.1% from the field and made 9 three pointers in the win. Souley Boum led the Miners with 21 points and 6 rebounds in the game. UTEP is averaging 69 points per game and is giving up 66.6 points per game against, while also averaging 31.5 rebounds per game and 12.1 assists per game. Souley Boum is averaging 19.8 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per game, while Jamal Bieniemy is averaging 14.8 points per game and 3.9 assists per game for the Miners. UTEP is shooting 43% on field goals, 76.3% on free throws, and 35.5% on three pointers.
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are 22-9 (13-5) this season and have lost two games in a row. Middle Tennessee lost to Old Dominion by a score of 68-64 in their last game. Middle Tennessee shot 45.7% from the field and was -11 in rebounding margin in the game. Donovan Sims led the Blue Raiders with 18 points and 5 rebounds in the loss. Middle Tennessee is averaging 73.9 points per game and is giving up 66.3 points per game against, while also averaging 34.8 rebounds per game and 12.5 assists per game. Josh Jefferson (questionable) is averaging 14.7 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game, while Donovan Sims is averaging 10.8 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game for the Blue Raiders. Middle Tennessee is shooting 44.9% on field goals, 76.1% on free throws, and 33.1% on three pointers.
UTEP is 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games and 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 Thursday games. The over is 6-0 in UTEP’s last 6 neutral site games. Middle Tennessee is 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 Thursday games and 5-16 ATS in their last 21 neutral site games. The under is 5-0 in Middle Tennessee’s last 5 games.
Middle Tennessee defeated UTEP by a score of 77-59 in their lone regular season meeting. Middle Tennessee finished in first place on their side of the conference, but lost two games in a row to finish the season. UTEP comes into this game with momentum after winning their last three games. Middle Tennessee was one of the best Conference-USA teams this season and I like them to win here.