FIU Golden Panthers vs Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Middle Tennessee vs FIU NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Miami.

Middle Tennessee vs FIU Prediction

Looking to win big? The Blue Raiders and Golden Panthers face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Golden Panthers are hosting the game at Ocean Bank Convocation Center in Miami, FL. Middle Tennessee come into this Conference USA conference matchup as the -3.5 favorite. The over/under line currently sits at 147.5 points.

Middle Tennessee vs. FIU Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at FIU Golden Panthers
Where: Miami at Ocean Bank Convocation Center
Date: Thursday, January 2nd
Betting Odds MTNST -3.5, MTNST -183 | FLINT +149 O/U 147.5

Blue Raiders Preview: Will Middle Tennessee Come Through as Road Favorites?

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Recent Game/Games

Middle Tennessee fell to 7-4 on the season after an 82-64 road loss to Tennessee on Monday. The Blue Raiders, who entered the game as +27 point underdogs, managed to cover the spread.

Middle Tennessee led 40-34 at halftime but struggled in the second half, scoring just 24 points while allowing 48. The game’s total points of 146 narrowly exceeded the over/under line of 144.5.

Blue Raiders Offense Breakdown

Middle Tennessee's offense struggled in their last game, putting up just 64 points on 40.7% shooting from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 47.5%, with a 30% mark from beyond the arc, hitting 9 of 30 attempts. At the free-throw line, they connected on just 50%, going 7 for 14.

Camryn Weston led the way with 24 points, shooting 50% from three, while Chaz Lanier added 23 points, also hitting 50% of his threes, going 5 for 10. Zakai Zeigler contributed 17 points and dished out 15 assists, but the team as a whole managed just 5 assists and grabbed only 6 offensive rebounds.

Blue Raiders Team Defense

Middle Tennessee's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 82 points on 48% shooting from the field. They allowed 27 made field goals on 56 attempts.

From beyond the arc, the Blue Raiders gave up 10 threes on 22 attempts, a 45% shooting percentage. They also sent the opposing team to the free-throw line 23 times, where they converted 18 free throws, shooting 78%.

Golden Panthers Preview: Are the Golden Panthers Ready for a Home Win?

FIU improved to 4-7 on the season with an 80-66 win over Utah Tech on Monday. The Golden Panthers, who were -5.5 favorites, covered the spread in the victory.

FIU dominated the first half, leading 47-19 at the break, but allowed 47 points in the second half while scoring 33. The total points for the game were 146, just under the O/U line of 146.5.

Golden Panthers Offense Breakdown

FIU's offense was clicking in their last game, putting up 80 points on 54.5% shooting from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 61.8%, with strong performances inside the arc, where they shot 59%, and from three-point range, hitting 43.8% of their attempts.

Beon Riley led the way with 19 points, while Noa Gonsalves added 18. Travis Gray was efficient, shooting 66.7% overall and 75% from three. Asim Jones contributed 14 points and 7 assists, and Jonathan Aybar chipped in 13 points, shooting 55.6% from the field.

Golden Panthers Team Defense

Even with FIU allowing 66 points, they couldn't capitalize on their defensive efforts. The Golden Panthers gave up 54% shooting from the field, including 59% on two-point attempts, with the opposing team hitting 23 of 39 shots inside the arc.

From three-point range, FIU's defense allowed 7 threes on 16 attempts, a 43% shooting clip. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 22 times, where they converted 13 of those attempts, shooting 59%.

Blue Raiders vs Golden Panthers Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across the Blue Raiders last ten road games, the team averaged 72 points per game while allowing 77. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 5-4-1, while going 4-6 straight-up.
Although FIU has a straight up record of 2-1 in their last three home games, they have not held up as well vs. the spread going 1-2. The team averaged 73 points per game in these games.
As the betting underdog, the Golden Panthers have an ATS mark of just 5-5 in their last ten games. FIU posted a straight up mark of 1-9 in these matchups.
As the betting favorite, the Blue Raiders have an ATS mark of just 7-3 in their last ten games. Middle Tennessee posted a straight up mark of 8-2 in these matchups.