NCAA Basketball Thursday Bets eyes a few more chances this night with earlier games featuring top 25 teams. Now, the Purdue Boilermakers get Maryland in a Big 10 tussle early in the evening, but our main game is a rare Conference USA gem between Florida Atlantic and Middle Tennessee St. This Owls team won 24 of their first 26 games and easily leads the conference. Middle Tennessee St. may be a challenge, though.
| NCAA Thursday Hoops |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic (-4.5) | -110 | -110 |
| Middle Tennessee State | -110 | -110 |
| Purdue (-3) | -110 | -110 |
| Maryland | -110 | -110 |
NCAA Basketball Thursday Bets finally comes to the Conference USA. The Florida Atlantic Owls are recovering well after their loss to UAB. It was their first conference loss on the season and snapped their 20-game winning streak. The Owls got as high as 19th in the nation but did not drop out of the top 25. FAU heads to Murfreesboro to face a Middle Tennessee squad trying to keep some fledgling NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
So, the Owls clash against their toughest foe until the conference tournament. Does the team get a little too complacent here? The Blue Raiders are a challenging team to play against but can be vulnerable to cold shooting streaks. Dusty May leads the Owls into action playing at a faster pace than almost any team in Conference USA can handle. Can Middle Tennessee State slow down FAU’s inside-outside game?
The Owls dropped the Blue Raiders with ease in their first meeting. However, Thursday’s clash expects to be a bit more difficult. Middle Tennessee State has lost two consecutive games allowing over 90 points in both contests. MTS comes in angry, but the Owls may be just as feisty after their narrow overtime win earlier in the week. Can Alijah Martin and Vladislav Golden continue their stellar play against a porous interior?
So, given the closeness of the past few games, NCAA Basketball Thursday Bets asks why risk the points now? More importantly, the Owls want to win impressively, but first, FAU needs the “W” more importantly. The defense has been an issue for them too, but if they stay out of foul trouble. Bovada Online Sportsbook likes their chances even if MTS keeps it close.
NCAA Basketball Thursday Bets ponders the tilt to the over? In the past few weeks, teams have scored more points against FAU and Middle Tennessee State. Even in their first meeting, the teams combined for 152 points in regulation. The Owls relaxed late otherwise, the combined point total would have been more. Simply, Florida Atlantic knows the stakes. A step closer to that top speed in the conference tournament becomes huge.
Likely, both teams will wind up with over 70 points on Thursday night. Points coming in bunches is quite possible as Middle Tennessee State loves the up-tempo game. They are the team who gets in trouble and is apt not to zone out well. Again, Golden cannot end up in foul trouble. That opens the door for the Blue Raiders, especially if DeAndre Dishman cannot body the Russian Sophomore.
Now, Nick McDevitt hopes his guards and swing forwards can get out wide on Florida Atlantic. That is how Louisiana Tech attacked well and set up their perimeter game (11-29 from three-point range). Middle Tennessee State typically does not attempt that many three’s though (21 and 22 in the past two contests). These Blue Raiders may have to go out of their comfort zone to stay closer tonight.
Lastly, more missed long shots may help the transition games of both teams. The fun part of this game is knowing how the two teams like to play. Middle Tennessee State does not figure to pull off a home upset here but can put a scare at least into Florida Atlantic. That over of 145.5 should tumble in the final minute or two, providing this bout does not go into extra time.
The NCAA Basketball Thursday Bets lean on Purdue to cover anyway. Why? Maryland plays so much more up and down than expected. This creates risk but hopefully moves the line down or keeps it at three points. Purdue has lost two of three and only beat the Terrapins by three points just several weeks ago. It feels like Maryland could win this one outright.
So, Purdue needs this win to keep the hope for a top seed closer to home this NCAA Tournament. The Boilermakers fell victim to atmosphere twice (especially against Northwestern). Maybe the state of Indiana poses unexpected problems. Either way, Zach Edey can only do so much. Purdue’s offense is more than just him, and the Boilermakers need Fletcher Lover and Braden Smith to step up.
Granted, not being ranked number one feels like the best position to be in right now. It sounds crazy, but it could not be more accurate. Possibly, Purdue plays better not being the hunted team. Okay, that is the reality for every team. Maryland beat Indiana earlier in the month at home, so anything is possible. Matt Painter and Purdue believes the Boilermakers will be ready.
This edition of the NCAA Basketball Thursday Bets uses more Betting Site Online Bonuses to increase the coffers heading into the weekend. The over in these matchups feels too risky, so instead, Purdue via the moneyline and cover is our attacking avenue on Thursday night.
NCAAB online betting sites from Vegas guide us to potential glory tonight. Go check them out now!
