Middle Tennessee (11-5) vs Jacksonville State (9-6)
Game Info: Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 6:00 pm (Murphy Center)
Betting Odds: Middle Tennessee -6 -- Over/Under: 147 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN+
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders meet Saturday in college basketball action from the Murphy Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Jacksonville State vs. Middle Tennessee prediction.
Jacksonville State Recap
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks come into this game looking to build on their 73-67 road win over Western Kentucky last time out to climb to 9-6 on the year. After this game, Jacksonville State will head home for a matchup with Louisiana Tech.
Gamecocks Looking To Keep Ball Rolling
Jaron Pierre Jr. leads JSU in scoring and assists with 22.2 PPG and 4.5 APG along with 5.2 RPG while Jao Ituka has 10.6 PPG and Jamar Franklin has 10.4 PPG with 2.5 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for JSU so far this season. Michael Houge has added 9.7 PPG with a team-high 8.5 RPG to lead the Gamecocks on the glass as JSU’s top rebounder, while Mason Nicholson’s added 8.6 PPG and 8 RPG as well on the year. As a team, Jacksonville State is averaging 80.3 PPG on 47.5% shooting from the field, 37.5% from three, and 77.7% from the foul line this season.
Why the Jacksonville State Gamecocks will win
- Jacksonville State has won three of its last four games.
Middle Tennessee Recap
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders come into this game looking to add on to their 84-79 win over Kennesaw State last time out to improve to 11-5 so far this season. After this game, Middle Tennessee will welcome Western Kentucky to town.
Blue Raiders Looking To Find Consistency
Jestin Porter leads the Blue Raiders in scoring with 14.8 PPG along with 1.4 SPG while Essam Mostafa has 13.1 PPG with 8.8 RPG to lead the Blue Raiders on the glass. Jlynn Counter has 10.6 PPG as well for Middle Tennessee on the year. Camryn Weston has 11.8 PPG along with 3.9 RPG and a team-high 3.3 APG to lead Middle Tennessee in assists and cap off the group of double-digit scorers for the Blue Raiders. Kamari Lands also has 9.2 PPG while Torey Alston also has 6.5 PPG and 5.9 RPG. As a team, Middle Tennessee is averaging 78.4 PPG on 45.9% shooting from the field, 31.8% from three, and 67.3% from the foul line this season.
Why the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will win
- Middle Tennessee has won each of its last seven home games against the Conference USA.
- Jacksonville State has lost each of its last four day games against the Conference USA.
Total Points Facts
- Twelve of Middle Tennessee's last 13 day games against Conference opponents at Charles M. Murphy Athletic Center have produced a total of 144 or fewer points.
- Four of Jacksonville State's last five games have produced a total of 154+ points.
Jacksonville State vs. Middle Tennessee Prediction
I’m leaning towards Jacksonville State and the points, though this isn’t one of my favorite plays on the board. Middle Tennessee has historically been a good home team ATS, but they’re just 3-2 ATS at home this season while Jacksonville State’s been really solid as a road team this season, going 5-2 ATS as well. I just think this is a case of too many points between two teams jostling for a position in the top half of Conference USA. Give me the Gamecocks and the points here.
Chris’s Pick Jacksonville State +6
AUTHOR: Chris Ruffolo
