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...The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will travel to the Murphy Athletic Center to take on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders this Saturday afternoon in College Basketball action.
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs had their 4-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 14-7 (6-2 C-USA) on the season after being defeated by the UAB Blazers, 79-70, this past Thursday. This game had plenty of fireworks, as after UAB took a 63-50 lead late in the 2nd half, a bench clearing fight broke out which has led to the suspension of Jacobi Boykins for this game. Louisiana Tech struggled on the defensive end as the Bulldogs allowed UAB to shoot 50.0% from the field and 44.4% (8-18) from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bulldogs was Erik McCree who had 16 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, and a steal. On the season, Louisiana Tech is averaging 76.9 ppg on 47.2% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs are averaging 7.4 three-pointers per game on 34.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Louisiana Tech has been led by Erik McCree (17.1 ppg, 9.0 rpg), Jacobi Boykins (14.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2.2 spg), Jalen Harris (10.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.6 apg), and Omar Sherman (9.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.1 bpg). Defensively, Louisiana Tech is holding their opponents to an average of 64.2 ppg on 40.6% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs have a rebound margin of 3.6 and a turnover margin of 1.9.
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders won their 8th straight game and improved to 18-3 (8-0 C-USA) on the season after defeating the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, 72-56, this past Thursday. Middle Tennessee was outstanding on the defensive end in the 1st half and had little trouble securing the victory after taking a 37-23 halftime lead. Middle Tennessee shot 50.8% from the field and won the turnover margin by a 15-7 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Blue Raiders was Giddy Potts who had 19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. On the season, Middle Tennessee is averaging 74.7 ppg on 48.7% shooting from the field. The Blue Raiders are averaging 6.7 three-pointers per game on 37.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Middle Tennessee has been led by JaCorey Williams (17.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 spg), Giddy Potts (15.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.6 spg), Reggie Upshaw (14.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.5 spg), and Tyrik Dixon (5.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.1 spg). Defensively, Middle Tennessee is holding their opponents to an average of 64.0 ppg on 42.6% shooting from the field. The Blue Raiders have a rebound margin of 4.3 and a turnover margin of 3.7.
The Bulldogs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up loss. The Blue Raiders are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss and 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games vs. C-USA opponents.
Louisiana Tech has won 7 of their last 10 games and have been impressive on both sides of the ball this season as the Bulldogs rank 99th in scoring margin, 54th in FG%, 34th in scoring defense, and 52nd in defensive FG%. Middle Tennessee looks like to be the favorite at this point of the season to win the C-USA and has been led by their defense that ranks 30th in scoring defense, 18th in turnover margin, and T-68th in rebound margin. Louisiana Tech is a decent club, however, the loss of Jacobi Boykins for this is game is going to be costly.....
