Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs UTEP Miners Matchup

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

UTEP vs Middle Tennessee Prediction

Don't miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Miners and Blue Raiders. The game is starting at 3:00 ET on ESPN+, and it's hosted by the Blue Raiders at Murphy Athletic Center in Murfreesboro, TN. Get ready to place your bets! The odds for this Conference USA conference game currently have Middle Tennessee as the -4.5 point favorite with the over/under line sitting at 143.5 points.

UTEP vs. Middle Tennessee Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: UTEP Miners at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Where: Murfreesboro at Murphy Athletic Center
Date: Saturday, February 1st
Betting Odds MTNST -4.5, UTEP +158 | MTNST -192 O/U 143.5

Miners Preview: Will UTEP Come Through as Road Underdogs?

UTEP Miners Recent Game/Games

The Miners fell to 12-6 on the season after a 78-74 loss to Western Kentucky on Thursday. UTEP, who entered the game as +2.5 point underdogs, didn’t cover the spread in this one.

UTEP trailed 34-32 at halftime and scored 42 points in the 2nd half, but they allowed 44 points in the final 20 minutes. The total points for the game went over the line of 147.5, finishing at 152.

Miners Offense Breakdown

In their last game, UTEP's offense put up 74 points, shooting 41.1% from the field. They connected on 34.6% of their threes, going 9-for-26, and hit 79.2% of their free throws, making 19-of-24 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 50%, and they grabbed 8 offensive rebounds, dishing out 16 assists as a team.

Khristian Lander led the way, scoring 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Don McHenry added 20 points, while David Terrell Jr. contributed 15 points and 8 assists, shooting 5-of-7 from the field.

Miners Team Defense

UTEP's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 78 points while allowing the opposing team to shoot 55% from the field. They were particularly vulnerable inside, where they allowed 23 two-point baskets on 32 attempts, a 71% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, the Miners gave up 7 threes on 22 attempts, with the other team shooting 31% from three-point range. UTEP also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 16 times, where they converted 11 free throws, shooting 68%.

Blue Raiders Preview: Do the Blue Raiders Stand a Chance at Home?

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Recent Game/Games

Middle Tennessee fell to 12-7 on the season after a 61-57 home loss to New Mexico State on Thursday. The Blue Raiders, who were -6.5 favorites, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.

After trailing 35-26 at halftime, Middle Tennessee tightened up defensively, allowing just 26 points in the second half while scoring 31. The game’s total points of 118 fell well short of the 142.5 O/U line.

Blue Raiders Offense Breakdown

Middle Tennessee struggled from beyond the arc in their last game, hitting just 6 of 26 threes for a 23.1% shooting percentage. Their overall field goal percentage was 43.4%, with an effective field goal percentage of 49.1%. Inside the arc, they were much more efficient, connecting on 17 of 27 two-point attempts for a 63% success rate.

Camryn Weston led the Blue Raiders with 19 points, despite shooting 41.2% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range. Robert Carpenter and Peter Filipovity both shot 50% overall, with Carpenter adding 16 points and Filipovity contributing 12 points and 9 rebounds. Middle Tennessee finished with 8 assists and 8 offensive rebounds in the game.

Blue Raiders Team Defense

Middle Tennessee's defense held their opponent to 61 points, despite allowing a 63% shooting rate on two-point attempts (17/27). They managed to limit damage from beyond the arc, with the opposing team hitting just 6 of 26 three-pointers, a 23% success rate.

From the free-throw line, the opponent went 5/8, shooting 62%. Middle Tennessee also conceded 8 offensive rebounds in the game.

Miners vs Blue Raiders Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Through their last ten road contests, the Miners offense has averaged 71 points per game while allowing an average of 71. UTEP posted an overall record of 5-5 while going 6-4 ATS.
In their last five games at home, the Blue Raiders have a straight up record of 2-3 while going 2-2-1 vs the spread. The team's offense averaged 69 points per game in these contests.
Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, UTEP has an ATS mark of 7-3 while going 6-4 straight up.
Through their last five matchups as the betting favorite, the Blue Raiders have a good straight up record, but their ATS mark is just 2-2-1.