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USATSI

The top-seeded Florida Atlantic Owls are eyeing their first Conference USA Tournament title, while the fourth-seeded Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders are striving for their first tournament title since winning back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017, when the teams meet in the semifinals on Friday at Frisco, Texas. The Blue Raiders (19-13, 11-9), who have won four of six, are 4-0 on neutral courts this year. The Owls (29-3, 18-2), winners of five in a row, have won eight of nine. Middle Tennessee State handed Florida Atlantic one of its two conference losses on the season.

The game from the Ford Center will tip off at 12:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. MTSU is averaging 70.3 points per game, while FAU averages 79.2. The Owls are 10-point favorites in the latest Middle Tennessee State vs. Florida Atlantic odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 140.5. Before locking in any FAU vs. MTSU picks, you need to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. The model enters conference tournament week 76-51 on all-top rated college basketball picks this season, returning nearly $1,200 for $100 players. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns. 

Now the model has zeroed in on FAU vs. MTSU and just locked in its picks and CBB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several college basketball odds and betting lines for MTSU vs. FAU:

  • Middle Tennessee State vs. Florida Atlantic spread: Florida Atlantic -10
  • Middle Tennessee State vs. Florida Atlantic over/under: 140.5 points
  • Middle Tennessee State vs. Florida Atlantic money line: MTSU +400, Florida Atlantic -550
  • MTSU: The Blue Raiders are 5-1 against the spread in their last six Friday games
  • FAU: The Owls are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games following a straight-up win of more than 20 points
  • Middle Tennessee State vs. Florida Atlantic picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why Florida Atlantic can cover

Sophomore center Vladislav Goldin is coming off a solid outing in the Owls' quarterfinal win over Western Kentucky. In that game, Goldin poured in 12 points and grabbed four rebounds. It was the third game in a row and eighth in nine games where he reached double-figure scoring. He has one double-double on the year, an 11-point and 13-rebound performance in a 50-46 win at North Texas on Dec. 29. For the year, he is averaging 10.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.

Senior guard Michael Forrest has reached double-figure scoring in five of his last eight games, including 14 on the season. He is connecting on 41.6% of his field goals, including 36.2% from 3-point range, and 73.3 from the free-throw line. Forrest scored 20 points in the win at Florida on Nov. 14. He scored 19 points and dished off three assists in a 106-66 victory over Texas San Antonio on Feb. 23.

Why MTSU can cover

Junior guard Camryn Weston has been on fire of late. He poured in 22 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer, and grabbed three rebounds in Thursday's quarterfinal win over Charlotte, the third consecutive game he has scored 10 or more points. He scored 16 points and grabbed seven boards in a 74-70 win over Florida Atlantic on Feb. 16. For the season, he is averaging 10.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. He is connecting on 45.7% of his field goals and 75.7% of his free throws.

Senior forward Deandre Dishman narrowly missed a double-double against Charlotte. He scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds. He has recorded three double-doubles on the year, the last coming on Jan. 11 in a 71-68 win at Rice. In that game, he scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. For the year, he is averaging 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals.

How to make MTSU vs. Florida Atlantic picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 142 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only see the model's picks at SportsLine

So who wins FAU vs. MTSU? And which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college basketball picks, and find out.