Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders – March Madness Team Predictions, Odds and Preview 2017

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (Overall: 30-4, Conf: 17-1)

College Basketball News and Previews

2017 NCAA March Madness Final Four Preview

Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Preview

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Oregon Ducks Preview

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.

Create a betting account now to win big from all the heart-stopping March Madness action!

2,046 total views

The post Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders – March Madness Team Predictions, Odds and Preview 2017 appeared first on Sports Betting Tips, News, and Analysis.