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...The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders won their 3rd straight game and improved to 5-1 on the season after defeating the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles, 81-76, this past Saturday. Middle Tennessee used a strong start to the 2nd half to take a 60-44 lead and held on late for the victory. Middle Tennessee shot 48.3% from the field and out rebounded Florida Gulf Coast by a 42-28 margin. Leading the way for the Blue Raiders was Nick King who had a double-double with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists. On the season, Middle Tennessee is averaging 80.0 ppg on 47.3% shooting from the field. The Blue Raiders are averaging 6.0 three-pointers per game on 31.0% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Middle Tennessee has been led by Nick King (24.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.2 apg), Brandon Walters (11.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.4 bpg), Giddy Potts (10.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.3 spg), and Tyrik Dixon (6.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.5 apg). Defensively, Middle Tennessee is holding their opponents to an average of 66.8 ppg on 41.9% shooting from the field. The Blue Raiders have a rebound margin of 6.0 and a turnover margin of 2.8.
The Vanderbilt Commodores dropped to 3-5 on the season after being defeated by the Kansas State Wildcats, 84-79, this past Sunday. Vanderbilt fought back from 15-point 2nd half deficit to tie the game at 71-all with 3:33 left in regulation, however, couldn’t secure the come from behind victory. Vanderbilt allowed Kansas State to shoot 58.0% from the field and lost the turnover battle by a 14-7 margin. Leading the way for the Commodores was Jeff Roberson who had a double-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. On the season, Vanderbilt is averaging 69.4 ppg on 40.6% shooting from the field. The Commodores are averaging 7.1 three-pointers per game on 31.0% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Vanderbilt has been led by Jeff Roberson (14.4 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.0 spg), Riley LaChance (12.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.0 apg), Matthew Fisher-Davis (11.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.1 spg), and Saben Lee (7.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 3.1 apg). Defensively, Vanderbilt is allowing their opponents to average 72.3 ppg on 45.1% shooting from the field. The Commodores have a rebound margin of 4.4 and a turnover margin of -3.5.
The Blue Raiders are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record and 9-3 ATS in their last 12 non-conference games. The Commodores are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 non-conference games and 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Middle Tennessee is once again one of the better mid-major teams to look out for this season as the Blue Raiders are talented on both sides of the ball, ranking T-99th in scoring offense and 77th in scoring defense. Vanderbilt was finally able to put some points on the board against a good Kansas State defense, however, the Commodores once again couldn’t pull out a victory and come in ranked 265th in scoring offense and 312th in three-pointers made per game. Alabama transfer, Nick King, has been a monster for Middle Tennessee so far this season and the Blue Raiders defense will give the Commodores trouble, take Middle Tennessee and the points.....
