UTEP Miners vs MTSU Blue Raiders Prediction, 2/17/2024 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: UTEP Miners vs MTSU Blue Raiders

Date: Saturday, February 17, 2024

Location: Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, TN

TV: ESPN+

Murphy Center is the location where the MTSU Blue Raiders (9-15) will meet the UTEP Miners (13-11) on Saturday.

The UTEP Miners took the court against New Mexico State and earned the victory with a final of 74-49 in their last contest. UTEP ended the game having earned a 41.3% field goal percentage (26 of 63) and converted 10 of 24 shots from distance. From the free throw line, the Miners converted 12 of their 21 tries for a percentage of 57.1%. In the matter of hauling in rebounds, they earned a total of 44 with 17 of them being of the offensive variety. They also distributed 14 dimes in the matchup in addition to forcing the other team into 19 turnovers and having 14 steals. With respect to the defense, UTEP let their opponent shoot 34.6% from the field on 18 out of 52 shooting. New Mexico State distributed 5 assists and had 9 steals for this game. Additionally, New Mexico State had 30 boards (6 offensive, 24 defensive), but finished the game with no rejections. New Mexico State finished the game at 68.8% from the free throw line by knocking down 11 of 16 attempts. They knocked down 2 of their 19 attempts from three-point range. In reference to personal fouls, the Miners ended up finishing with 15 while New Mexico State totaled 20 personal fouls.

Tae Hardy is a player who was a factor in the game. He notched 21 points on 7 out of 13 shooting. He saw the court for 36 mins and also snagged 4 rebounds. He finished the game at 53.8% from the field and dished out 3 assists.

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UTEP comes into this game with a mark of 13-11 this year. They average 73.5 pts per contest (200th in the country) while connecting on 44.8% from the field. The Miners are connecting on 31.2% on three-point shots (134 of 430) and 68.9% from the free throw line. As a unit, UTEP is grabbing 33.4 rebounds per game and has totaled 312 dimes for the year, which is 222nd in college basketball in terms of passing. They lose possession by turning the ball over 15.0 times per contest and as a team are committing 19.9 fouls per contest.

When they are on the defensive end, the Miners are forcing 19.2 turnovers per contest and they draw 20.3 fouls. They give up 30.5% on three-point shots and they are ranked 95th in college basketball in points per game allowed (68.4). The Miners defense is giving up a FG percentage of 44.7% (561 of 1,254) and they concede 34.5 rebounds per contest as a unit. They are currently ranked 25th in the country in giving up assists with 256 conceded for the season.

The last time they took the court, the MTSU Blue Raiders got the win with a final of 68-66 against FIU. The Blue Raiders were able to corral 28 defensive boards and 10 offensive boards for a total of 38 in the game. They gave up possession 17 times, while getting 5 steals for this contest. FIU committed 23 personal fouls in this contest which got the Blue Raiders to the charity stripe for 29 tries. They were able to convert 17 of the free throw tries for a percentage of 58.6%. In relation to three-point attempts, MTSU made 5 of 15 attempts (33.3%). When the final whistle blew, the Blue Raiders ended up shooting 23 for 52 from the floor which gave them a rate of 44.2%. The Blue Raiders allowed FIU to make 27 of their 69 attempts from the field which left them shooting 39.1% in this matchup. They shot 23.8% from distance via 5 out of 21 and finished the contest at 7 out of 11 at the free throw line (63.6%). In regard to how they attacked the glass, MTSU permitted FIU to snag 32 in all (10 on the offensive glass).

Elias King was important for the Blue Raiders in this game. He recorded 18 points in his 36 minutes on the hardwood, but wasn't able to notch an assist. He buried 6 of 11 for the contest for a field goal percentage of 54.5%, and earned 9 rebounds.

MTSU has a record of 9-15 on the campaign. When it comes to offense, the Blue Raiders are connecting on 40.4% from the floor, which has them ranked 340th in the nation. MTSU has accumulated 1,526 points on the season (63.6 per contest) and they collect 35.0 rebounds per game. Their rate of assisting teammates is at 9.5 times per game (357th in D-1) and they turn it over 14.7 times per contest. The Blue Raiders commit 15.5 personal fouls per contest and they hit 66.3% from the charity stripe.

The Blue Raiders defensively are ranked 86th in the country in PPG given up with 68.1. They are able to force 11.6 turnovers on a nightly basis and allow teams to shoot 43.9% from the floor (206th in college basketball). The MTSU defense allows 32.3% on 3-point shots (139 of 431) and opponents are converting on 70.8% of their shots from the free throw line. They concede 10.8 dimes and 35.3 boards per contest, which is ranked 32nd and 205th in those defensive categories.

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take UTEP

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