Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Conference USA (30-4, 17-1)
Middle Tennessee shocked the college basketball world last season by beating #2 seed Michigan State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Raiders lost their next game to Syracuse 75-50, but that did not deter the Cinderella story. Coach Kermit Davis returned much of the talent from that team and this is a group ready for a little more March magic.
Big Wins: 11/25 vs UNC-Wilmington (68-63), 12/8 Vanderbilt (71-48), 12/14 at Belmont (79-66)
Bad Losses: 11/19 Tennessee State (63-74), 12/21 Georgia State (56-64), 2/4 at UTEP (54-57)
Coach: Kermit Davis, Jr.
Why They Can Surprise:
MTSU relies heavily on their big three players. Giddy Potts is again the team’s top shooter. He averages 15.8 points per game and connects on 39.2 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. Potts may be a shooter, but he is also extremely tough and will attack the basket effectively and help out on the glass. But most of the rebounding is done by Reggie Upshaw and JaCorey Williams. Upshaw is the dynamic scoring threat who can bang in the paint and step outside and knock down some jumpers. Williams, who leads the team with 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, is the more traditional post player. He transferred in from Arkansas and has really helped with his experience and interior toughness.
Why They Can Disappoint:
With wins against Ole Miss and Vanderbilt and the domination of Conference USA, the Blue Raiders are in a good position to make things interesting again in the postseason. There are some concerns though. This is not a good rebounding team and there is not much size on the perimeter. Last year Coach Davis had big wings that could help rebound and use their length to cause havoc on defense. That is no longer the case and the defense has suffered because of it.
Probable Starters:
Giddy Potts, Junior, Guard, 15.8 ppg, 1.9 apg
Tyrik Dixon, Freshman, Guard, 5.8 ppg, 3.3 apg
Edward Simpson, Junior, Guard, 3.5 ppg, 2.2 apg
Reggie Upshaw, Senior, Forward, 14.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.4 apg
JaCorey Williams, Senior, Forward, 17.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg
Key Role Players:
Brandon Walters, Junior, Forward, 4.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Xavier Habersham, Senior, Guard, 5.4 ppg, 1.8 apg
Antwain Johnson, Sophomore, Guard, 4.4 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 74.2 (155th in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 63.1 (20, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 48.7 (15, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.1 (85, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.3 (272, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.4 (114, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.7 (188, 9)
Rebound Margin: 5.4 (37, 2)
Assists Per Game: 15.1 (74, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.5 (17, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2016 NCAA Round of 64 win over Michigan State
2016 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Syracuse
2015 CIT First Round loss to Kent State
2013 NCAA Opening Round loss to St. Mary's
2012 NIT First Round win over Marshall
2012 NIT Second Round win over Tennessee
2012 NIT Quarterfinal loss to Minnesota
2010 CIT First Round loss to Missouri State
1989 NCAA Round of 64 win over Florida State
1989 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Virginia
1988 NIT First Round win over Tennessee
1988 NIT Second Round win over Georgia
1988 NIT Quarterfinal loss to Boston College
1987 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Notre Dame
*all team stats through 3/5
