Sam Houston Bearkats vs Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Picks and Predictions January 4th 2026

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Sam Houston Bearkats vs Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Betting Preview

The Sam Houston Bearkats enter 8-5 and look to extend their offensive pace, while the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders aim to defend home court in this Conference USA matchup at Murphy Athletic Center.

Line Movement and Odds

Middle Tennessee opened as the favorite, with the line reflecting confidence in their home-court strength. Current market:

  • Middle Tennessee Spread: -5.5 (-113)
  • Sam Houston Spread: +5.5 (-110)
  • Middle Tennessee MoneyLine: -243
  • Sam Houston MoneyLine: +190
  • Total: 157.5 (-110)

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Matchup Breakdown

Sam Houston Outlook

Sam Houston averages 88.3 points per game, with Isaiah Manning, Po’Boigh King, and Veljko Ilic leading the offense. Their rebounding edge (44.5 per game, 8th nationally) and perimeter shooting (9.4 threes per game) highlight balance. Their 2-5 road record underscores inconsistency, though their 8-5 overall mark shows competitiveness heading into C-USA play.

Middle Tennessee Outlook

Middle Tennessee averages 77.4 points per game, with Alec Oglesby, Tre Green, and Torey Alston providing scoring depth. Their shooting efficiency (53% effective FG) and 6-3 home record highlight offensive strength. Their 8-5 overall record underscores resilience heading into conference play.

Key Matchup / Path to Victory

The game hinges on Middle Tennessee’s ability to maintain offensive rhythm, while Sam Houston must lean on Manning and King to pace the offense. If Sam Houston controls tempo and boards, their depth should keep the game close.

Injuries / Availability

Sam Houston: No injury updates provided.

Middle Tennessee: No injury updates provided.

Environment

Murphy Athletic Center provides Middle Tennessee with a strong home-court edge, where they are 6-3 this season. Sam Houston’s balanced offense highlights their ability to compete in Murfreesboro.

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Best Bets and Prediction

Projected Final Score: Middle Tennessee 79, Sam Houston 76

  • Sam Houston +5.5 → Best Bet. Their offensive pace and rebounding make them a strong cover candidate.
  • Under 157.5 → Total play. Both teams’ pace points toward a combined score below the line.

Middle Tennessee’s depth and shooting should dictate the game, while Sam Houston’s offense keeps the spread in play. Expect a competitive contest trending under the total.

Handicappers and Service Plays

Expert bettors know momentum and consistency matter. Our Best Handicappers showcase analysts with proven track records, while the Leaderboard highlights who’s currently on hot streaks. Premium insights in Buy Picks provide deeper reasoning behind each wager. For a matchup like Sam Houston vs Middle Tennessee, expert perspectives can help identify sharp angles in spreads and totals.

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