Belmont vs. MTSU: College Basketball Game Preview, Prediction, TV Schedule

TV Schedule: Thursday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m. ET, Locally: WUXP

Arena: Murphy Athletic Center, Murfreesboro, TN

Line: MTSU (-2)

 

After winning their first game over the Marquette Golden Eagles, the Belmont Bruins have continued to struggle against expected NCAA tournament teams, losing to the Arizona State Sun Devils, BYU Cougars, Evansville Aces and Valparaiso Crusaders. Rick Byrd’s offense has been exceptional, but the usual stout defense of the Bruins continues to be shredded by above-average opponents.

Belmont will have an opportunity to change that on Thursday night, as the Bruins travel the short journey to Murfreesboro to face off with the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders.

MTSU might not get as much attention as fellow Conference USA squads the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and UAB Blazers, but Kermit Davis’ team is one of the best mid-majors in the country. If not for late collapses against the VCU Rams and Murray State Racers, the Blue Raiders could be heading into this game undefeated and most likely ranked.

Neither of these teams will likely make the 2016 NCAA tournament unless they win their respective conference tournaments, but MTSU has the much better chance of the two. A win over an in-state opponent like Belmont would be a huge boost for their confidence moving forward, as well as look great on their resume in March.

That being said, this game could go either way. The Bruins’ defense may be suspect, but their offense is electric. Evan Bradds and Craig Bradshaw can go off for a combined 40-plus points on any given night, while players like Austin Luke, Taylor Barnette and Amanze Egekeze have all had games in which they scored at least 17 points.

MTSU, on the other hand, have struggled at times on offense, but look to have changed that with an 88-81 victory over the Auburn Tigers. Darnell Harris has averaged 16.6 points over his last three games, while Giddy Potts and Reggie Upshaw continue to get the job done game after game.

These two teams boast two of the most underrated coaches in the country in Davis and Byrd, and we can expect a high-scoring, last-possession-wins type of game. Since that’s the case, I’m giving this one to MTSU in Murfreesboro.

Don’t be surprised, however, if both of these extremely well-coached teams cause some major damage in March.

Prediction: MTSU 79, Belmont 77

Taylor Sturm is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.