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....The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will travel to the Cam Henderson Center to take on the Marshall Thundering Herd this Saturday night in College Basketball action.
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders won their 3rd straight game and improved to 23-4 (13-1 C-USA) on the season after defeating the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 78-52, this past Thursday. Middle Tennessee led by a 32-18 margin at halftime and had no trouble securing the victory after taking a 64-32 lead with 6:52 left in regulation. Middle Tennessee shot 53.4% from the field and 41.2% (7-17) from beyond the arc in the win. Leading the way for the Blue Raiders was JaCorey Williams who had a double-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and an assist. On the season, Middle Tennessee is averaging 73.1 ppg on 48.5% shooting from the field. The Blue Raiders are averaging 6.4 three-pointers per game on 36.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Middle Tennessee has been led by JaCorey Williams (17.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.8 apg), Giddy Potts (15.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.4 spg), Reggie Upshaw (14.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.2 spg), and Tyrik Dixon (5.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.2 spg). Defensively, Middle Tennessee is allowing their opponents to average 62.2 ppg on 41.8% shooting from the field. The Blue Raiders have a rebound margin of 4.9 and a turnover margin of 3.0.
The Marshall Thundering Herd won their 2nd straight game and improved to 15-11 (8-5 C-USA) on the season after defeating the UAB Blazers, 74-59, this past Thursday. Marshall was outstanding on the defensive end in the 2nd half and pulled away for the victory after Marshall took a 61-51 lead with 6:00 left in regulation. Marshall shot 40.05 from the field and 78.9% (15-19) from the FT-line in the win. Leading the way for the Thundering Herd was Jon Elmore who had 25 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal. On the season, Marshall is averaging 86.2 ppg on 45.8% shooting from the field. The Thundering Herd are averaging 10.3 ppg on 37.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Marshall has been led by Jon Elmore (20.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 6.2 apg, 1.3 spg), Stevie Browning (15.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.2 spg), Ryan Taylor (14.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.7 bpg), and Austin Loop (11.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg). Defensively, Marshall is allowing their opponents to average 83.7 ppg on 46.0% shooting from the field. The Thundering Herd have a rebound margin of -6.3 and a turnover margin of 1.7.
The Blue Raiders are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of 0.5-6.5 and 13-4 ATS in their last 17 games vs. C-USA opponents. The Thundering Herd are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record and 23-8-1 ATS in their last 32 home games.
Middle Tennessee has won 9 of their last 10 games and is clearly the team to beat in C-USA this season as the Blue Raiders rank 11th in scoring defense, 28th in turnover margin, 22nd in FG%, and 77th in defensive FG%. Marshall has split their last 10 games and although the Thundering Herd rank 8th in scoring offense and 6th in three-pointers made per game, Marshall has struggled defensively as they rank 339th in scoring defense and 287th in defensive FG%. Marshall relies on their offense being able to put up big points to make up for their defense, however, as Middle Tennessee held the Thundering Herd to just 57 points in their earlier matchup, take Middle Tennessee to cover.....
