Middle Tennessee State Vs Butler Free Pick, Spread & TV Info

The 12th-seeded Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders will look to extend their March Madness run at the expense of the fourth-seeded Butler Bulldogs when the two championship hopefuls square off in their South region matchup on Saturday. Now, let’s find out the updated NCAA basketball lines and see if the Blue raiders can pull off the big-time upset.

Analyzing The Blue Raiders Vs Bulldogs Free Pick, Spread & TV Info

When: Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 7:10 PM ET Where: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin TV: TNT Live Stream: NCAA Live NCAAB Odds: Butler -3.5 / Over/Under: 141    

Why Bet The Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders Odds at +3.5

Middle Tennessee State manhandled Minnesota in their first round game matchup on Thursday to win 81-72 and easily cover the spread as a 1.5-point favorite while the game’s final score played over the 138-point total. Reggie Upshaw led Middle Tennessee State with 19 points and nine rebounds while Giddy Potts added 15 and dished out five assists. The Blue Raiders average a respectable 75.2 points per game (123rd) but shoot a stellar 49.0 percent from the field to rank 11th nationally. Even better, the Blue Raiders limit the opposition to just 63.6 points per game (23rd) on 41.8 percent shooting from the field (74th) and 31.8 percent shooting from beyond the arc (39th). Middle Tennessee State has a trio of double-digit scorers on their roster including leading scorer JaCorey Williams (17.3 ppg).

Why Bet The Butler Bulldgos Odds at -3.5

Butler pounded Winthrop in the first round on Thursday to win 76-64 and cover the spread as a 10.5-point favorite while the game’s final score played under the 145-point total. Avery Woodson led Butler with 18 points and five rebounds while Andrew Chrabascz added 12 points and four boards. Butler averages 76.3 points per game (105th) and shoots it well from the field, ranking 34th nationally by draining a blistering 47.8 percent of their field goal attempts while also ranking 76th in points allowed (68.2 ppg). The Bulldogs have just two double-digit scorers on the roster and are led by junior Kelan Martin (15.9 ppg).

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

A convincing 60 percent of public bettor like Middle Tennessee State to cover the spread as 3.5-point underdogs, but for me, the Butler Bulldogs re the pick to win and cover the spread because of their elite defense. While Middle Tennessee has gone 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS in seven neutral site games this season, Butler is 4-1 SU and ATS in their five neutral site contests. I know the Blue Raiders are 5-0 ATS in their last five neutral site games and 7-1 ATS in their last eight non-conference contests, but Butler has gone 5-0 ATS in their last five NCAA Tournament games as a favorite while posting an insanely good 39-11-2 ATS mark in their last 52 neutral site contests. Butler wins and narrowly covers the spread as slight favorites.

My final score prediction is Butler 77 Middle Tennessee State 72