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...The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will travel to Tudor Fieldhouse to take on the Rice Owls in College Basketball action this Thursday night.
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders snapped their 2-game losing streak and improved to 11-3 on the season after defeating the Rice Owls, 60-49, this past Sunday. Middle Tennessee was outstanding on the defensive end and had little trouble securing the victory after the Blue Raiders went into halftime with a 33-20 lead. Middle Tennessee held UAB to just 34.9% shooting from the field and 33.3% (3-9) from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Blue Raiders was Reggie Upshaw who had 34 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, and an assist. On the season, Middle Tennessee is averaging 73.3 ppg on 48.0% shooting from the field. The Blue Raiders are averaging 6.4 three-pointers per game on 37.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Middle Tennessee has been led by JaCorey Williams (17.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.9 apg), Giddy Potts (15.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.7 spg), Reggie Upshaw (15.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.6 spg), and Edward Simpson (5.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.6 apg). Defensively, Middle Tennessee is holding their opponents to an average of 64.4 ppg on 42.1% shooting from the field. The Blue Raiders have a rebound margin of 2.3 and a turnover margin of 4.1.
The Rice Owls improved to 11-4 on the season after defeating the Charlotte 49ers, 89-70, this past Monday. Rice was outstanding offensively in the 2nd half and had no trouble putting away the 49ers after taking 51-37 lead with 15:59 left to play. Rice shot 50.0% from the field and 47.1% (8-17) from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Owls was Marcus Evans who had 25 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal. On the season, Rice is averaging 83.3 ppg on 48.6% shooting from the field. The Owls are averaging 9.1 three-pointers per game on 39.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Rice has been led by Egor Koulechov (18.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.9 apg), Marcus Evans (18.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.3 spg), Marcus Jackson (13.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.1 apg), and Connor Cashaw (8.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.5 apg). Defensively, Rice is allowing their opponents to average 73.5 ppg on 43.4% shooting from the field. The Owls have a rebound margin of 5.9 and a turnover margin of -0.5.
The Blue Raiders are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win and 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Owls are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall and 1-7-1 ATS in their last 9 home games.
Middle Tennessee was able rebound from their first rough stretch of the season to get an impressive win over the UAB Blazers. The Blue Raiders have been impressive on both sides of the ball as they have the 41st ranked scoring defense, 22nd ranked turnover margin, and 42nd ranked FG%. Rice has won 5 of their last 7 games and has been one of the better offensive teams this season ranking 27th in scoring offense and 28th in FG%. Middle Tennessee has the defense to slow down the Rice offense and as the Blue Raiders are 3-1 on the road this season (4-0 ATS).....
