The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (7-3) travel to face off against the Tennessee Volunteers (11-0) on Monday, December 23rd. This game will be played at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville and televised on SECN. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Tip-off is set for 7:00 ET.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs Tennessee Volunteers

The Blue Raiders Are Coming Off A Win

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Recent Game/Games

Middle Tennessee improved to 7-3 on the season with a narrow 67-65 win over Lipscomb on Thursday, December 19th. Playing at home, the Blue Raiders were -2.5 point favorites heading into the game but failed to cover the spread.

Middle Tennessee led 37-30 at halftime but allowed Lipscomb to score 35 points in the 2nd half while scoring just 30 themselves. The game’s total points of 132 fell short of the 148.5 O/U line.

The Volunteers Are Coming Off A Win

Tennessee improved to 11-0 this season with an 84-36 win over Western Carolina on Tuesday. The Volunteers were heavy favorites at -36.5 and covered the spread, while the total points fell short of the 142.5 over/under line.

Leading 38-15 at halftime, Tennessee continued their dominance in the second half, outscoring the Catamounts 46-21.

Blue Raiders Offense Breakdown

Middle Tennessee’s offense struggled in their last game, shooting just 38.1% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range. Their effective field goal percentage was 42.9%, and they hit only 59.1% of their free throws.

Jacob Ognacevic was a bright spot, scoring 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting, while also grabbing 6 rebounds. The Blue Raiders had 19 offensive rebounds but managed just 8 assists as a team.

Volunteers Offense Breakdown

Tennessee’s offense put up 84 points in their latest game, shooting 46.4% from the field. They were particularly effective inside, hitting 57.1% of their two-point attempts, while their three-point shooting lagged at 29.6% (8/27). The Volunteers were strong at the free-throw line, connecting on 85.7% of their attempts (12/14).

Chaz Lanier led the way with 19 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 42.1% overall and 42.9% from three (3/7). Jordan Gainey added 17 points, hitting 75% of his shots and 50% from beyond the arc (2/4). Tennessee also dished out 22 assists and grabbed 14 offensive rebounds in the win.

Blue Raiders Team Defense

Middle Tennessee’s defense held their opponent to 65 points on 38% shooting from the field, including 42% on two-point attempts (18/42).

From beyond the arc, they allowed 6 threes on 21 attempts, a 28% shooting rate. The opponent also shot 59% from the free-throw line, hitting 13 of 22 attempts.

Volunteers Team Defense

Middle Tennessee’s defense held their opponent to 65 points on 38% shooting from the field. They limited two-point attempts to 42% shooting, with the opposing team making 18 of 42 shots.

From beyond the arc, the Blue Raiders allowed 6 threes on 21 attempts, a 28% shooting rate. The opponent also went 13/22 from the free-throw line, shooting 59%.

Blue Raiders vs Volunteers Trends

• Through their last ten road games, Middle Tennessee has an ATS record of just 4-5-1. However, their overall record was 4-6 while averaging 72 points per game.
• Although Tennessee has a straight up record of 8-2 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 5-4-1. The team averaged 76 points per game in these games.
• In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Blue Raiders have a strong straight up record of 3-2. In addition, their ATS record was 3-1-1 in these scenarios.
• In their last three games as the betting favorite, the Volunteers have a straight up record of 3-0, while going 1-1-1 against the spread.

Blue Raiders vs Volunteers Prediction

For a pick on the point-spread in this Volunteers vs. Blue Raiders matchup, our bet is to grab the Blue Raiders at +26.5. Even though our projections have the Volunteers winning 75-72, we see the Blue Raiders as the play on the point-spread.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 142.5 and given that our model is projecting 147 points between the teams, we like the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.