Free Pick | NCAA Basketball | Monday | Jan. 16

Free Pick: #900 Middle Tennessee State +2.5 UAB 8:00 PM CT

UAB snapped a three-game slide on Saturday but it was a narrow escape, rallying from down eight in the final five minutes at Louisiana Tech. The Blazers are typically a top Conference USA contender but the 4-3 start also includes an overtime win in addition to Saturday’s narrow comeback win. This will be a second straight road game and fourth road game in the past five games for the up-tempo Blazers and next on the schedule is a high profile pairing with North Texas. Middle Tennessee State is just 3-3 in league play, but they have lost to Charlotte and North Texas, two of the top teams in the league. The Blue Raiders have eight top 200 wins this season playing a much more difficult non-conference schedule than UAB faced. This should be a huge game for the Blue Raiders who lost in the Conference USA semifinals in triple-OT against UAB last March. UAB has slight edges in most offensive numbers but the schedule contrast has been significant and there is a lot to like about the defensive profile for Middle Tennessee State with a great ability to create turnovers. Middle Tennessee State is also an efficient interior scoring team that should be able to find high percentage looks even if UAB gets its preferred pace. Poor free throw shooting is a concern for Middle Tennessee State, but this does appear to be a favorable home underdog spot for the Blue Raiders with the Blazers so far not living up to its reputation in conference play this season.

Nelly’s has won in 8 of 10 weeks this college basketball season – join us tonight or for the rest of the month!