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BASKETBALL Middle Tennessee @ Abilene Christian , 6PM, Saturday, November 9, 2024

Rewatched their 107-74 win in opener against Howard Payne (D3). The most impressive stats is ACU scored 107, shot just 3/13 from deep, and gave up 33 turnovers. It was ugly basketball.

Those numbers are telling of the style ACU plays with. It was a blur constantly running the floor, overly aggressive passing to move the ball up the floor quickly. The 3/4 trap created some problems for ACU early, they eventually settled in but I cant emphasis enough about slowing their transition offense will be key in winning on the road.

ACU is smaller than MTSU which should give them the edge down low guarding Leonardo Bettiol (#3, 6’8”). He scored 22 points (9/11 shooting) with 8 rebounds. At the guards they have Oklahoma State transfer Quion Williams (#5, 6’5”) scored another 20 points (9/11 shooting) and their 3rd best scorer from ‘23-‘24, Hunter Jack Madden (#21, 6’2”) averaged over 11 ppg. They both will be tasked with taking better care of the ball today as they combined for 7 assists and 11 turnovers in the opener.

After both openers against D3 opponents it’s always tough to see how the game will transfer against better competition. I think the game plan has to be: win the turnover and rebounding battles, and force ACU to run a half court offense. I personally think the -3.5 spread for ACU is wild, but Vegas has seen the road struggles for MTSU. In a vacuum, MT was far more impressive through one game.
 
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Rewatched their 107-74 win in opener against Howard Payne (D3). The most impressive stats is ACU scored 107, shot just 3/13 from deep, and gave up 33 turnovers. It was ugly basketball.

Those numbers are telling of the style ACU plays with. It was a blur constantly running the floor, overly aggressive passing to move the ball up the floor quickly. The 3/4 trap created some problems for ACU early, they eventually settled in but I cant emphasis enough about slowing their transition offense will be key in winning on the road.

ACU is smaller than MTSU which should give them the edge down low guarding Leonardo Bettiol (#3, 6’8”). He scored 22 points (9/11 shooting) with 8 rebounds. At the guards they have Oklahoma State transfer Quion Williams (#5, 6’5”) scored another 20 points (9/11 shooting) and their 3rd best scorer from ‘23-‘24, Hunter Jack Madden (#21, 6’2”) averaged over 11 ppg. They both will be tasked with taking better care of the ball today as they combined for 7 assists and 11 turnovers in the opener.

After both openers against D3 opponents it’s always tough to see how the game will transfer against better competition. I think the game plan has to be: win the turnover and rebounding battles, and force ACU to run a half court offense. I personally think the -3.5 spread for ACU is wild, but Vegas has seen the road struggles for MTSU. In a vacuum, MT was far more impressive through one game.
Nice analysis. Let's see if Mcdevitt can finally start winning some games on the road.
 
ACU beyond careless with the ball and MT making them pay dearly.

They have no answer at the moment for Mostafa. He's eating that poor 5's lunch for ACU.

The Counter kid definitely looks like he can play. Would like to see Tra Green get some action soon.
 
total ass whoopin in the first half

my measly $20 on the ML +146 looking good
 
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Great first half. Hope it is not fool's gold.

Need to come out and run them out of the gym first 4 minutes 2nd half. Lots of players on this team that can put the ball in the basket, which is a good thing. Just play the hot hands
 
44-30 Halftime

#PlayerPTSFG3FGFTREBAPFTOMIN
4*BUFFORD,J21-40-10-0110113
10ALSTON,T21-20-00-010108
15JOHNSON,J00-10-00-010004
24*WESTON,C114-43-30-0111218
44*MOSTAFA,E84-70-00-1311011
2COUNTER,J94-51-10-0121T111
3*PORTER,J104-52-30-0010116
11GREEN,T00-00-00-000102
13LOOFE,C00-10-10-011119
22*LANDS,K21-20-10-011109
TMTEAM,---101
TOTALS4419-316-100-111877
 
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Love the lineup that includes Weston, Counter, Porter, & Mostafa. Plug & play Lands or Alston for last position. Can't wait to see what Oglesby can bring as I hear great things about him.
 
Team Comparison
STATISTICMTacu
FG%52%39%
FGs31-6019-49
3FG%35%14%
3FGs6-172-14
FT%79%64%
FTs11-1416-25
TOs1519
PtsOffTO2414
TotReb3531
DefReb2522
Off Reb109
2ndChPts47
BenchPts1922
PtsPaint4832
FstBkPt1113
Blocks45
Steals148
Assts139
Times Tied:0
Time Tied:0:25
Lead Chg:1
LeadTime33:545:41
 
KenPom preseason rankings
Abilene Christan: 162
Middle Tennessee: 185

Updated KenPom Ranking:
Middle Tennessee: 137

Next opponents KenPom Rankings:
Evansville: 215
Murray St: 122
Ohio: 140
 
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