PREMIUM
Rogers' Saturday NCAA Coach's Clinic >> 12-5 Past 4 Days!
(NCAAB) Middle Tennessee vs. Butler,
03/18/2017 3:10 PM, Score: 65 - 74
Point Spread: 4.00 | -115.00 Middle Tennessee (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 4.00 | -115.00 Middle Tennessee (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: March Madness is known for its surprising upsets but that hasn't been the case in the 2017 edition, at least so far. The lowest seed remaining is 12th-seeded Middle Tennessee State, which can hardly be called a 'Cinderella.' MTSU upset the 2nd-seeded Spartans in last year's tourney and returned this year to win C-USA's regular season (17-1) and postseason titles, entering the tourney at 30-4. The win over fifth-seeded Minnesota on Thursday was hardly a surprise, as MTSU went off as the slight favorite in that game. Now, the Blue Raiders face the school which earned the title of "Ultimate NCAA underdog," when the Bulldogs made back-to-back championship game appearances in 2010 and 2011.
MTSU: Blue Raiders head coach Kermit Davis reminded all after the win over Minnesota that, "We're one of the top 15 teams in the country in assist to turnovers." He had just watched his team commit only eight turnovers while assisting on 19 of 28 baskets in the victory. Arkansas graduate transfer 6-8 forward JaCorey Williams (17.2 & 7.3 ), the C-USA Player of the Year, had 13 points and six rebounds against Minnesota. Junior guard Giddy Potts (15.8 & 5.4) has a team-high 76 three-pointers and the the 6-8 Upshaw (14.6 & 6.9) join Williams as this team's "Big Three." Potts had 15 points vs. Minnesota and Upshaw led in scoring (19) and rebounds (9). The Blue Raiders are also one tough defensive team, allowing just 63.6 PPG (23rd) while holding foes to 41.8 percent shooting (39th).
Butler: The Bulldogs claim to fame this season is that they've given No. 1 overall seed Villanova (also the defending champs), two of its three losses on the season. Now the Bulldogs want to make some noise in the Big Dance, as well. The team's best player and leading scorer, the 6-7 Martin (15.9 & 5.8), continues to come off the bench. Also note that the team-leader in assists, Lewis (6.5 & 4.0 APG), also does not start. Both came off the bench in Thursday's win, with Martin getting 10 & 8 and Lewis scoring nine points with eight assists. Guard Woodson (8.9) was the leading scorer (18) in the 76-64 win over Winthrop. 6-7 senior forward Andrew Chrabascz (11.0 & 4.6) added 12 points, four rebounds and three assists in the win.
The pick: Butler has its highest seed ever at No. 4 but note that it hasn't advanced to the Sweet 16 since losing the national championship games in 2010 and 2011. Meanwhile, the Blue Raiders have already set a school record for wins (31) and have won 20 of their last 21 games. MTSU owns wins this season over SEC schools Ole Miss and Vanderbilt and as coach Davis said, "We think we belong on a national stage." I'm with him and will make MTSU an 8* play.
MTSU: Blue Raiders head coach Kermit Davis reminded all after the win over Minnesota that, "We're one of the top 15 teams in the country in assist to turnovers." He had just watched his team commit only eight turnovers while assisting on 19 of 28 baskets in the victory. Arkansas graduate transfer 6-8 forward JaCorey Williams (17.2 & 7.3 ), the C-USA Player of the Year, had 13 points and six rebounds against Minnesota. Junior guard Giddy Potts (15.8 & 5.4) has a team-high 76 three-pointers and the the 6-8 Upshaw (14.6 & 6.9) join Williams as this team's "Big Three." Potts had 15 points vs. Minnesota and Upshaw led in scoring (19) and rebounds (9). The Blue Raiders are also one tough defensive team, allowing just 63.6 PPG (23rd) while holding foes to 41.8 percent shooting (39th).
Butler: The Bulldogs claim to fame this season is that they've given No. 1 overall seed Villanova (also the defending champs), two of its three losses on the season. Now the Bulldogs want to make some noise in the Big Dance, as well. The team's best player and leading scorer, the 6-7 Martin (15.9 & 5.8), continues to come off the bench. Also note that the team-leader in assists, Lewis (6.5 & 4.0 APG), also does not start. Both came off the bench in Thursday's win, with Martin getting 10 & 8 and Lewis scoring nine points with eight assists. Guard Woodson (8.9) was the leading scorer (18) in the 76-64 win over Winthrop. 6-7 senior forward Andrew Chrabascz (11.0 & 4.6) added 12 points, four rebounds and three assists in the win.
The pick: Butler has its highest seed ever at No. 4 but note that it hasn't advanced to the Sweet 16 since losing the national championship games in 2010 and 2011. Meanwhile, the Blue Raiders have already set a school record for wins (31) and have won 20 of their last 21 games. MTSU owns wins this season over SEC schools Ole Miss and Vanderbilt and as coach Davis said, "We think we belong on a national stage." I'm with him and will make MTSU an 8* play.
