The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (13-7, 6-3 C-USA) and No. 24 FAU Owls (19-1, 9-0) meet Thursday. Tip-off from FAU Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Middle Tennessee vs. FAU odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Blue Raiders roll into Thursday’s game with 4 consecutive wins and covers, while cashing the Under in 4 of the last 5 outings. Middle Tennessee is 21-7-2 ATS in the last 30 games against teams with a winning overall record, too.
The Owls attained a ranking in the Coaches Poll for the first time in school history this week. It has won 18 in a row overall dating back to its only loss at Ole Miss on Nov. 11. FAU is 14-3-1 ATS overall, the best winning percentage in the nation against the number.
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
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Middle Tennessee at FAU odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:33 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Middle Tennessee +310 (bet $100 to win $310) | FAU -425 (bet $425 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Middle Tennessee +8.5 (-105) | FAU -8.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 135.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Middle Tennessee at FAU picks and predictions
Prediction
FAU 73, Middle Tennessee 66
Moneyline
PASS.
FAU is too expensive to make a standalone wager. There’s absolutely no value in playing heavy favorites, even in a multi-team parlay.
Against the spread
MIDDLE TENNESSEE +8.5 (-105) is a solid play, as it should be able to keep this game within single digits. The Blue Raiders are hot lately, winning and covering the past 4.
FAU -8.5 (-115) has been chugging along, and it is having a historic season for a school without a rich basketball history. It faces a giant test agaisnt a MTSU team which has won 2 straight in the series, while covering each of the last 3 meetings.
Over/Under
OVER 135.5 (-110) is the lean in this Conference USA tilt.
The Over has connected in 5 of the last 7 games overall for the Owls, while hitting at a 7-3 clip in the last 10 games overall against teams with a winning overall record.
The Over is also 8-2 in the last 10 games for the Blue Raiders following a straight-up win, while going 5-2 in the last 7 following a cover.
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