FREE CONTEST: #5 Minnesota Golden Gophers vs #12 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders ($25 Prize!)
UPDATE: THE WINNER OF THE $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD IS ds*****@gmail.com CONGRATULATIONS!
Nov 28, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Terance Mann (14) fights for position against Minnesota Gophers center Reggie Lynch (22) during the first period of the game at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Prizing:
1st Place: $25 Amazon gift card
2nd-5th Place: $10 Starbucks gift card
Overview:
On Saturday, March 18th, the (29-4) Minnesota Golden Gophers will take on the (30-4) Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.
The Crowd:
“The Crowd” projects a final score of Minnesota 72.2 – Middle Tennessee 69.8 with an over/under of 142.0. The Vegas Line has a final score of Minnesota 68.5 – Middle Tennessee 67.5 with an over/under of 136.0.
Statistics (2016-17 season):
Point differential: Middle Tennessee +11.7 > Minnesota +6.2 PPG
Points per game: Minnesota 75.3 PPG > Middle Tennessee 75.0 PPG
Points allowed per game: Middle Tennessee 63.3 > Minnesota 69.1 PPG
Field Goal Percentage Offense: Middle Tennessee 49.0% > Minnesota 43.5%
Field Goal Percentage Defense: Minnesota 39.8% > Middle Tennessee 41.7%
Three Point Percentage: Middle Tennessee 36.8% > Minnesota 34.5%
Turnovers per game: Middle Tennessee 10.4 > Minnesota 11.7
Rebounds per game: Minnesota 40.0 > Middle Tennessee 35.5
Assists per game: Middle Tennessee 15.3 > Minnesota 14.9
Summary:
This game has been dubbed a trendy upset pick by many experts and understandably so. The argument could be made that Middle Tennessee is under seeded as a #12 coming off a 30-win season. The Blue Raiders have won 20 of their last 21 games heading into the tournament. Minnesota also finished the season on a high note winning 9 of their last 11 games. Minnesota was (2-3) against ranked opponents while Middle Tennessee didn’t play against any. Minnesota has the advantage on the glass averaging nearly 5 rebounds per game more than Middle Tennessee. Minnesota is very balanced with six players averaging at least 8 points per game compared to just three for Middle Tennessee. Reggie Lynch is a game changer for Minnesota averaging 3.5 blocked shots per game which was 2nd in the nation. The shot blocking presence could mitigate the great offensive efficiency of Middle Tennessee (49% from the field). I like Minnesota to pull out an ugly win.
**LISTEN HERE** to the latest edition of “The Berger Shop” podcast, sponsored by The Crowd’s Line. This week’s episode features an in-depth discussion talking Showtime Sports Doc on St. Anthony’s Bob Hurley with Brian Dailey.
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