Middle Tenn. Blue Raiders (5-6) vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels (6-5)
Middle Tenn. vs. Saint Mary’s 12/19/23 – As we near the holiday season, NCAA Men’s Basketball heats up with an exciting showdown between Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and Saint Mary’s Gaels on Tuesday – this match-up offers an ideal chance for anyone following top-rated free picks today to assess both evenly-matched teams’ potential. Both teams vie to improve their records in this highly anticipated game
Middle Tenn. Blue Raiders have shown flashes of brilliance despite their subpar record this season. On offense, they average 66.1 points per game which is impressive as evidenced by 23.3 field goals made per game; however, shooting efficiency needs to improve as indicated by their 40.3% field goal percentage and 28.1% 3-point field goal percentage figures indicating room for growth. On defense, they average 35.7 rebounds and 6.5 steals per game to disrupt opponents’ plays; unfortunately their 13 turnovers per game must also be reduced if they want to control game tempo effectively.
Saint Mary’s Gaels hold an edge both statistically and in terms of record. Averaging 69.3 points per game, their success comes from efficient shooting – 43.9% field goal percentage and 29.1% 3-point field goal percentages respectively. They excel at rebounding as well; 40.6 average rebound per game could help control paint space and secure second chance points; their assist-to-turnover ratio also indicates more controlled play; however their free throw shooting performance at only 61.5% could pose problems during tight games.
Middle Tenn. vs. Saint Mary’s 12/19/23 Game Info
| When: | Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | University Credit Union Pavilion |
| TV: | ESP+ |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Elias King (Guard) vs. Aidan Mahaney (Guard)
Elias King has been one of the lone bright spots for Middle Tennessee, averaging 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and nearly a steal per game while playing over 32 minutes a night. Though undersized, King attacks the rim fearlessly but struggles at times with his outside shot. He will need an efficient offensive performance to match up with Saint Mary’s dangerous scoring attack.
Aidan Mahaney leads the team in scoring at 14.9 points per game while shooting 41% from the field. An excellent shooter and capable playmaker, Mahaney excels working off the ball and spacing the floor. Though he won’t overwhelm opponents physically, his offensive skill makes him a tough cover on the perimeter.
This matchup will pit two high-usage guards against one another. King’s aggressive driving ability contrasts against Mahaney’s perimeter-based game. Both will look to exploit the other’s defensive weaknesses in what could be a pivotal matchup. Whichever guard gets rolling could carry their team to victory.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The current betting odds for the game are still to be determined. However, bettors should keep an eye on the spread and moneyline as they become available. The odds will provide insights into which team is favored and by how much, crucial information for making informed betting decisions.
Middle Tenn. Blue Raiders Betting Trends
MTSU has gone under the total in 17 of their last 32 contests overall. The under might be worth a look if you expect both offenses to struggle. The Blue Raiders have also covered as underdogs recently, hitting the moneyline in 3 of their last 12 away matchups.
Saint Mary’s Gaels Betting Trends
Over their last 10 games, the Gaels have been excellent at home, covering the number in 6 of those contests. Saint Mary’s has also excelled as favorites this season with a 5-3 ATS record when giving points. Their efficient offense has led to high-scoring affairs as well, going over the total in 4 of their last 6.
Middle Tennessee vs. Saint Mary’s 12/19/23 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and betting trends, this matchup appears to be closely contested. Middle Tennessee’s ability to score in away games could be counterbalanced by Saint Mary’s stronger defensive play and rebounding. Therefore, the pick here might lean slightly towards Saint Mary’s, especially if they leverage their home court advantage.
In terms of betting, looking at the Over/Under might be more predictable than the spread, given the inconsistencies of both teams. The key will be monitoring the betting lines as they become available and factoring in the premium analyst picks.
Free Pick and Prediction: Saint Mary’s Gaels 72, Middle Tenn. Blue Raiders 68