Florida Atlantic vs. MTSU prediction, odds, time: 2023 Conference USA Tournament picks, bets by proven model

The top-seeded Florida Atlantic Owls will take on the fourth-seeded Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders in a 2023 Conference USA Tournament semifinal matchup on Friday. The Blue Raiders (19-13, 11-9 CUSA), who snapped a two-game losing streak on Thursday, defeated Charlotte 66-65 in the quarterfinals. The Owls (29-3, 18-2), who have won five in a row, cruised to a 75-51 win over Western Kentucky on Thursday. The teams split their regular-season games with the home team winning both times. Florida Atlantic posted an 85-67 win on Jan. 26, while Middle Tennessee State earned a 74-70 win on Feb. 16.

Tipoff from the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, is set for 12:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. MTSU leads the all-time series 22-9, but FAU has won five of the last eight meetings. The Owls are 8-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 -8
• Middle Tennessee State vs. Florida Atlantic over/under: 140.5 points
• Middle Tennessee State vs. Florida Atlantic money line: MTSU +285, Florida Atlantic -365
• 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

Featured Game | Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Middle Tenn. Blue Raiders

Why Florida Atlantic can cover

Sophomore guard Johnell Davis, who is one of three Owls averaging in double-figure scoring, averages 13.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He has reached double-digit scoring in each of the last four games, including 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in Thursday’s quarterfinal win over Western Kentucky. He has registered two double-doubles, including an 18-point and 10-rebound performance in a 76-74 win at Florida on Nov. 14. He scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 79-53 win over Florida International on Dec. 17.

Also powering Florida Atlantic is sophomore guard Alijah Martin. He is coming off a nine-point, seven-rebound and one-assist performance in Thursday’s quarterfinal win. He has reached double-figure scoring in 18 games, including 20 or more points three times. His best game was a 26-point effort in a 90-85 overtime victory over Louisiana Tech on Feb. 11.

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.