Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Thursday, December 17
Murfreesboro, TN
6:00 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
vs
Belmont (ASN)
Blue Raiders Meet Bruins on Thursday Night
12/16/2015 11:45:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Tip-off time is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
MURFREESBORO – The Middle Tennessee men's basketball will return to the Murphy Center to host in-state rival Belmont on Thursday night at 6:05 p.m.
GAME INFORMATION
(FULL GAME NOTES)
Hashtag: #TrueFamily, #BlueRaiders
Twitter: MT_MBB
Instagram: @MT_MBB
Facebook: Blue Raider Athletics
Date: Thursday, Dec. 17
Time: 6:05 p.m.
Teams: Belmont (7-4) at Middle Tennessee (6-2)
Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Stadium: The Murphy Center
TV: American Sports Network
Radio: WMOT-FM (89.5), WGNS (1450 AM/100.5 FM/101.9 FM), Game 2 (102.5/94.9/95.1)
Play-by-Play: Chip Walters
Analysis: Kyle Turnham
Live Audio/Live Streaming | Live Stats
GAME NOTES:
Dialed In Defense
The Middle Tennessee defense has been stout over the last three games and is only allowing opponents to shoot 35.5 percent from the field and 32.8 percent from beyond the three-point line. The Blue Raiders were able to limit offensively solid teams like VCU and Auburn and their efforts have vaulted them to 57th, nationally, in field goal percentage defense (39.4).
Going to the Glass
Head Coach Kermit Davis has stayed true to his roots and his players are embracing his rebounding-first mantra. The Blue Raiders currently average 29.75 defensive rebounds per game, a mark that ranks them 23rd among Div. I teams and 1st in C-USA. Guard Giddy Potts has been leading the way in the category and his 5.88 per game are pacing the team. Oddly enough, MT ranks 330th in offensive rebounds per game, averaging only 8.0 per game.
Hail Harris
Darnell Harris has been on a tear as of late averaging 16.7 points over his last three games. The big-man set a new career-high with three blocks against VCU and then eclipsed that with four stuffs versus South Alabama. Harris is shooting 45.9 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from deep over the stretch.
Upping His Game
This past Saturday, MT defeated an SEC foe in Aubunr for the first time since 2012's win over Vanderbilt. In the game against AU, Reggie Upshaw became the first MT player to lead the team in points (21), rebounds (13) and assists (four). In addition, Upshaw played a season-high 41 minutes and only committed one foul while guarding the AU big men. Those numbers (besides the foul) are significantly better than his season averages.
Triple-Doubles
Just last season, Middle Tennessee did not have a single player average over 10 points per game. Reggie Upshaw was close at 9.9, but this season MT has three players in double-figures in Giddy Potts (14.8), Darnell Harris (12.3) and Upshaw (12.1). Perrin Buford is next at 9.8 ppg.
Series History
On Thursday, the Blue Raiders will host Belmont for the 36th time inschool history with MT holding a 20-15 lead in the series. The two sides have met at least once per year every year since 2004 and the Bruins have had the Blue Raiders' number as of late, winning seven of the last eight. Last season, BU won, 63-59, on its home court and Kermit Davis is 5-8 against Rick Byrd.
Buford's Best
Through his first 22 games as a Blue Raider, Perrin Buford was averaging just 5.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 13.6 minutes per game. In his last 22 games stretched over two seasons, Buford is averaging 10.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 24.05 minutes per contest.
Stiff Competition
This season, the Blue Raiders scheduled a tough non-conference schedule that features six teams that had a winning record in 2014-15. The combined record of the scheduled non-conference foes in 2014-15 was 187-143. In addition, MT will face nine teams that reached the postseason a year ago.
Murphy Madness
Middle Tennessee has been one of the best home teams in the country over the last five seasons and holds a 58-9 record in the Murphy Center. That mark includes a perfect 16-0 mark in 2012-13.
Last Time Out
In an overtime thriller at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday, Middle Tennessee pulled out an, 88-81, win against Auburn. Reggie Upshaw tallied his second double-double of the season with 21 points and 13 rebounds while tying his season-high four assists. Darnell Harris was a rebound shy of his own double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds. Giddy Potts totaled 18 points and four rebounds against the Tigers. Perrin Buford finished with 12 points and six rebounds while Edward Simpson had a season-high 13 points off the bench. Middle Tennessee shot 45.5 percent and poured in eight three-pointers. The Raiders also tied their season high with 47 rebounds in the contest. MT held Auburn to 40.0 percent from the field and a 45.8 percent effort from the charity stripe.
GAME INFORMATION
(FULL GAME NOTES)
Hashtag: #TrueFamily, #BlueRaiders
Twitter: MT_MBB
Instagram: @MT_MBB
Facebook: Blue Raider Athletics
Date: Thursday, Dec. 17
Time: 6:05 p.m.
Teams: Belmont (7-4) at Middle Tennessee (6-2)
Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Stadium: The Murphy Center
TV: American Sports Network
Radio: WMOT-FM (89.5), WGNS (1450 AM/100.5 FM/101.9 FM), Game 2 (102.5/94.9/95.1)
Play-by-Play: Chip Walters
Analysis: Kyle Turnham
Live Audio/Live Streaming | Live Stats
GAME NOTES:
Dialed In Defense
The Middle Tennessee defense has been stout over the last three games and is only allowing opponents to shoot 35.5 percent from the field and 32.8 percent from beyond the three-point line. The Blue Raiders were able to limit offensively solid teams like VCU and Auburn and their efforts have vaulted them to 57th, nationally, in field goal percentage defense (39.4).
Going to the Glass
Head Coach Kermit Davis has stayed true to his roots and his players are embracing his rebounding-first mantra. The Blue Raiders currently average 29.75 defensive rebounds per game, a mark that ranks them 23rd among Div. I teams and 1st in C-USA. Guard Giddy Potts has been leading the way in the category and his 5.88 per game are pacing the team. Oddly enough, MT ranks 330th in offensive rebounds per game, averaging only 8.0 per game.
Hail Harris
Darnell Harris has been on a tear as of late averaging 16.7 points over his last three games. The big-man set a new career-high with three blocks against VCU and then eclipsed that with four stuffs versus South Alabama. Harris is shooting 45.9 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from deep over the stretch.
Upping His Game
This past Saturday, MT defeated an SEC foe in Aubunr for the first time since 2012's win over Vanderbilt. In the game against AU, Reggie Upshaw became the first MT player to lead the team in points (21), rebounds (13) and assists (four). In addition, Upshaw played a season-high 41 minutes and only committed one foul while guarding the AU big men. Those numbers (besides the foul) are significantly better than his season averages.
Triple-Doubles
Just last season, Middle Tennessee did not have a single player average over 10 points per game. Reggie Upshaw was close at 9.9, but this season MT has three players in double-figures in Giddy Potts (14.8), Darnell Harris (12.3) and Upshaw (12.1). Perrin Buford is next at 9.8 ppg.
Series History
On Thursday, the Blue Raiders will host Belmont for the 36th time inschool history with MT holding a 20-15 lead in the series. The two sides have met at least once per year every year since 2004 and the Bruins have had the Blue Raiders' number as of late, winning seven of the last eight. Last season, BU won, 63-59, on its home court and Kermit Davis is 5-8 against Rick Byrd.
Buford's Best
Through his first 22 games as a Blue Raider, Perrin Buford was averaging just 5.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 13.6 minutes per game. In his last 22 games stretched over two seasons, Buford is averaging 10.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 24.05 minutes per contest.
Stiff Competition
This season, the Blue Raiders scheduled a tough non-conference schedule that features six teams that had a winning record in 2014-15. The combined record of the scheduled non-conference foes in 2014-15 was 187-143. In addition, MT will face nine teams that reached the postseason a year ago.
Murphy Madness
Middle Tennessee has been one of the best home teams in the country over the last five seasons and holds a 58-9 record in the Murphy Center. That mark includes a perfect 16-0 mark in 2012-13.
Last Time Out
In an overtime thriller at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday, Middle Tennessee pulled out an, 88-81, win against Auburn. Reggie Upshaw tallied his second double-double of the season with 21 points and 13 rebounds while tying his season-high four assists. Darnell Harris was a rebound shy of his own double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds. Giddy Potts totaled 18 points and four rebounds against the Tigers. Perrin Buford finished with 12 points and six rebounds while Edward Simpson had a season-high 13 points off the bench. Middle Tennessee shot 45.5 percent and poured in eight three-pointers. The Raiders also tied their season high with 47 rebounds in the contest. MT held Auburn to 40.0 percent from the field and a 45.8 percent effort from the charity stripe.
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
F
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