Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (Overall: 30-4, Conf: 17-1)
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Team Strengths:
First off, let’s be reminded that this is the same school that shockingly upset second-seeded and Denzel Valentine-led Michigan State from last year’s tournament. Now, Middle Tennessee is back and better than ever, coasting to another Big Dance berth by winning the Conference USA title and with a healthy three-game margin in the conference standings to boot.
The Blue Raiders – currently priced at +30,000 to win the national title – have played very disciplined and efficient basketball this season, ranking in the top 15 of the country in field-goal shooting and turnovers committed. If they can keep their composure at the highest level like they’ve done during the regular season, they might be able to stun not just one but many of their higher-seeded opponents in tournament, beginning with fifth-seeded Minnesota and its questionable offense.
Team Weaknesses:
Close games in March Madness are decided at the charity stripe, and that’s one of the few visible weaknesses from Middle Tennessee. The team shot a lackluster 70.1 percent from the free-throw line this season, all the while committing a foul in nearly a fourth of their plays ran to send their opposition to the line for frequent retaliation.
Team Stats:
| CATEGORY | STAT / G | NCAA RANK |
| Points | 74.2 | 135th |
| Rebounds | 35.1 | 193rd |
| Assists | 15.0 | 64th |
| Steals | 6.9 | 185th |
| Blocks | 2.8 | 224th |
| Field goal percentage | 48.7 | 11th |
| Three-point percentage | 37.0 | 83rd |
| Free throw percentage | 70.1 | 180th |
| Turnovers | 10.4 | 12th |
Starting Lineup:
| POSITION | NAME | PPG |
| F | Jacorey Williams | 17.3 |
| F | Reggie Upshaw Jr. | 14.5 |
| G | Giddy Potts | 15.8 |
| G | Edward Simpson Jr. | 3.5 |
| G | Tyrik Dixon | 5.8 |
Writer’s Prediction:
The Blue Raiders (+30,000) complete the upset over Minnesota before getting knocked out of the tournament at the hands of Butler in the second round.
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