| MATCHUP | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders | Florida International Golden Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 15-14 | 14-15 |
| Spread | +1.5 -112 | -1.5 -108 |
| Moneyline | +102 | -122 |
| Total | Over 153.5 (-115) | Under 153.5 (-105) |
| Where | Ocean Bank Convocation Center, Miami, FL | |
| When | Thursday, March 5, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and the FIU Panthers meet Thursday in college basketball action from the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. FIU Panthers prediction.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Recap
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders come into this game looking to add on to their 86-85 OT win over New Mexico State last time out to sit at 15-14 this season. After this game, Middle Tennessee will head on the road for a game against Missouri State to close out the regular season.
Blue Raiders Win 3 Straight
Kamari Lands leads the Blue Raiders in scoring with 13.7 PPG along with 3.6 RPG and 2.1 APG while Torey Alston has 13.4 PPG with a team-high 7.9 RPG to lead the Blue Raiders in rebound. Jahvin Carter’s added 10.6 PPG with 3.3 RPG and a team-high 3.6 APG to lead the Blue Raiders in assists up to this point in the year. Sean Smith has 9.6 PPG with 2.3 RPG and 3.5 APG and Alec Oglesby has 8.6 PPG as well this year. As a team, Middle Tennessee is averaging 75.8 PPG on 44.7% shooting from the field, 33.6% from three and 69.6% from the foul line this season.
FIU Panthers Recap
The FIU Panthers come into this game looking to add on to their 84-76 win over Louisiana Tech last time out to sit at 14-15 this season. After this game, FIU will take on Western Kentucky at home.
Panthers Alternate Wins & Losses In 6 Straight
Corey Stephenson leads the Panthers in scoring and rebounding with 18.1 PPG and 7 RPG along with 2.2 APG while Julian Mackey has 12.3 PPG with 2.7 RPG and 2.3 APG. Hamed Olayinka has 11 PPG with 6.3 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for FIU up to this point in the year. Zawdie Jackson has 9.8 PPG with 2.8 RPG and a team-high 3.6 APG to lead the Panthers in assists while Eric Dibami also has 8.8 PPG and 6.8 RPG and Ashton Williamson has 7.9 PPG with 2.2 RPG and 3.4 APG. As a team, FIU is averaging 87.3 PPG on 47.5% shooting from the field, 35.9% from three and 67.4% from the foul line this season.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders @ Florida International Panthers Betting Trends: March 5, 2026
Why the Florida International Panthers will win
- The home team has won each of Middle Tennessee’s last five games.
- Middle Tennessee has lost each of its last five night games following an overtime win.
- Florida International has won the first half in each of its last seven night games at Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
Why the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will win
- Florida International has lost eight of its last nine night games.
- Middle Tennessee has won five of its last six games against Florida International.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Florida International’s last six home games have produced a total of 152 or fewer points.
- Thirty-two of Middle Tennessee’s last 40 night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 153 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Florida International ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (15.3).
- Florida International ranks 12th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (9.4).
- Middle Tennessee ranks 29th among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (2.5).
- Middle Tennessee ranks 48th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (27.4).
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. FIU Panthers Prediction
I’m on FIU here. The Panthers are at home and are trying to chase down Middle Tennessee in the C-USA standings, and while Middle Tennessee has just as much to play for to try to play keep away from FIU, I don’t trust this Middle Tennessee team as much on the road. Give me FIU here.