The Blue Raiders hope to be lousy hosts on Thursday as the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers pay a visit to Murphy Center on the college basketball betting menu.

The Blue Raiders sit at 21-4 (16-7 ATS) on the season. By comparison, the Hilltoppers are currently 8-15 (10-12 ATS). Looking to wager on the totals? Middle Tennessee is 10-11-2 OU, and Western Kentucky is 10-11-1 OU.



View Western Kentucky vs Middle Tennessee Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
On the Sportsbook NCAAB line for this matchup, Middle Tennessee sat as 15-point favorites.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Power Rankings at Odds Shark show No. 229-rated Western Kentucky taking on the No. 37-rated Blue Raiders in this contest. The scores prediction computer here indicates a possible 77-61 win for the Blue Raiders on Thursday.



How They Match Up:
Scoring and defensive stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features Middle Tennessee's No. 89-ranked scoring average of 71.8 PPG, against a Hilltoppers defense rated No. 210 and allowing 68 PPG. The Blue Raiders FG% has averaged 49.4% to date this season, more than the Hilltoppers shooters have managed so far (38.6% per game).

Comparing how these foes stack up statistically, Western Kentucky owns the country's No. 179-rated mark, allowing 70.5 points per game on the highway. Middle Tennessee, on the other hand, rates No. 121 in scoring at home.

In their last action, Western Kentucky was a 75-66 Sportsbook at home against South Alabama. They covered the 3.5-point spread as favorites. Jamal Crook scored 24 points leading the Hilltoppers to a 75-66 victory over South Alabama at EA Diddle Arena on Saturday.

In their last action, Middle Tennessee was a 75-60 loser on the road against Denver. They failed to cover the 3-point spread as underdogs. Middle Tennessee suffered a 75-60 loss against Denver on Saturday, getting 15 points from LaRon Dendy in a losing effort at Magness Arena.


Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Troy are 4-6
After playing South Alabama are 8-2
After a win are 3-7

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Arkansas-Little Rock are 5-5
After playing Denver are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3

A few Hilltoppers at Blue Raiders trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Western Kentucky's last 5 games when playing on the road against Middle Tennessee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Western Kentucky's last 5 games on the road
Western Kentucky is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Middle Tennessee
Western Kentucky is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Middle Tennessee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Middle Tennessee's last 5 games when playing at home against Western Kentucky
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Middle Tennessee's last 11 games when playing Western Kentucky
Middle Tennessee is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games


Next up:
Western Kentucky at Troy, Saturday, February 11
Middle Tennessee home to Arkansas-Little Rock, Saturday, February 11