The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will look to boost their win total and cover the spread when they tip off against the Florida International Golden Panthers at Murphy Center on Saturday in NCAA hoops play.

The Golden Panthers will try to spoil to the party on Saturday; they are 2-2-1 ATS against the number this season, while the Blue Raiders are 4-5 ATS. Florida International is 2-2 on the totals; Middle Tennessee is 2-5.



View Florida International vs Middle Tennessee Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Sportsbooks (including Sportsbook) had the Blue Raiders installed as 20.5-point favorites in this particular matchup earlier in the day. Also, watch for the Sportsbook over-under value at Sportsbook.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Blue Raiders - Golden Panthers odds would favor the Blue Raiders if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Middle Tennessee is rated No. 62 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Florida International is at No. 276. Mathematical models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 77-64 win for the Blue Raiders.



How They Match Up:
In the paint, the rebound battle will feature Middle Tennessee's No. 128-rated squad against Florida International's No. 271-rated roster. And in long-range shooting, Middle Tennessee rates No. 271 in the country with 5 per game, while their foes tonight rank No. 82 nationally with 7.2 per match.

Defensively, Florida International features the nation's No. 233-rated defense on the road, allowing 73.7 points per game. Middle Tennessee, meanwhile, comes in at No. 47 nationally in scoring at home.

In their last action, Florida International was a 76-63 loser on the road against Western Kentucky. They failed to cover the 8.5-point spread as underdogs. The Golden Panthers got 20 points from Malik Smith, but it was Western Kentucky that prevailed in a 76-63 final on Thursday at EA Diddle Arena.

Last time out for Middle Tennessee, they were a 56-52 Sportsbook as they battled Vanderbilt on the road. They failed to cover in the match as a 5.5-point favorite. The Blue Raiders grabbed a 56-52 win over the Commodores on Friday, behind a 17-point effort from Bruce Massey at Bridgestone Arena.


Florida International Golden Panthers Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Florida A&M are 1-3
After playing Western Kentucky are 2-8
After a loss are 4-6

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing North Texas are 6-4
After playing Vanderbilt are 3-2
After a win are 6-4

A few Golden Panthers at Blue Raiders trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Florida International's last 9 games when playing on the road against Middle Tennessee
Florida International is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Florida International is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Middle Tennessee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Florida International
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Middle Tennessee's last 6 games when playing Florida International
Middle Tennessee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Florida International


Next up:
Florida International home to Florida A&M, Wednesday, January 2
Middle Tennessee home to North Texas, Monday, December 31