Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Upshaw Upping His Game
12/17/2015 9:02:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Forward Heads into tonight's game on a high-note
By Connor Grott, GBR Beat Writer
MURFREESBORO – MT junior forward Reggie Upshaw slammed home a dunk to send the Bridgestone Arena crowd into a frenzy.
It was two points out of his 21 on Dec. 12 against Auburn, in what was one of the most physically-draining games of his collegiate career.
"That was probably one of the toughest games that I've played in since I've been in college," Upshaw said. "[Auburn's] post players are physical, so anytime you have to battle those guys for the whole forty minutes, it's going to be a battle."
Even in Upshaw's most physical game, though, the Preseason All-Conference selection excelled.He became the first player for Middle Tennessee to lead the team in points (21), rebounds (13) and assists (four) in a single game as the Blue Raiders upset SEC foe Auburn, 88-81.
"It was a great feeling to be able to beat a physical SEC team like Auburn," Upshaw added. "They got us last year in an embarrassing way, so to have a great game like that with that atmosphere was amazing."
Upshaw is no stranger to a physical brand of basketball.Coming from Baylor (Chattanooga, TN), Upshaw was always taught to play physically, but also how to be a leader.
"Baylor just taught me how to play physical and to lead a team," Upshaw explained. "I'm later in my career now, but it just helped with the expectations that [MT head coach Kermit Davis] has for me. Just to have an open mind and play physical."
And for the 6-foot-7 forward, with a flattop equal in height, playing tough basketball hasn't been a problem.
As a senior at Baylor School, Upshaw averaged 22 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in being named an all-state and all-city selection.
Upshaw, who was being recruited by MT assistant coach Win Case, decided to bring his talents to Middle Tennessee.For the junior forward, the coach who recruited him has been his biggest mentor.
"Coach Case is always there, whether it is a good game or bad game," Upshaw said. "He's always checking up on me and making sure I'm alright. Some games I don't really do too well, but he always tells me to bounce back next game. Coach Case is just always there in my ear telling me something positive."
Much like any young player, Upshaw has seen his ups and downs, but every season has brought more experience for him.In his freshman season, Upshaw averaged 6.4 points per game and 3.5 rebounds per contest in 33 games (20 starts).
Following Upshaw's sophomore campaign, his season averages increased to 9.9 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per contest, including a team-high 251 rebounds for the season.
Headed into the Blue Raiders' matchup against in-state rival Belmont on Dec. 17, Upshaw is averaging career-highs in points per game (12.1 PPG) and rebounds per game (8.3 RPG).
"It's been everything I could have imagined," Upshaw said about his time at MT so far. "My freshman year, I was just trying to fill in a spot, and I was really the only underclassmen that played. And now, coming into this year, I've just been feeding off of last year. I come in every day and just try to get better each day in practice."
In the 2014-15 season, Upshaw and MT advanced to the C-USA Championship after a magical run pushed them into the title game against UAB.
Needing just one more win for an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament, the Blue Raiders fell short, 73-60, against the Blazers.
But, Middle Tennessee's run in last year's conference tournament has Upshaw and the Blue Raiders expecting an electric finish in 2015.
"We have a lot of returning players and we remember exactly how it felt to be so close to an NCAA bid," Upshaw said. "Last year, we were one half away from being in the NCAA tournament. So right now, we're hungry for that and we have a really good team."
MURFREESBORO – MT junior forward Reggie Upshaw slammed home a dunk to send the Bridgestone Arena crowd into a frenzy.
It was two points out of his 21 on Dec. 12 against Auburn, in what was one of the most physically-draining games of his collegiate career.
"That was probably one of the toughest games that I've played in since I've been in college," Upshaw said. "[Auburn's] post players are physical, so anytime you have to battle those guys for the whole forty minutes, it's going to be a battle."
Even in Upshaw's most physical game, though, the Preseason All-Conference selection excelled.He became the first player for Middle Tennessee to lead the team in points (21), rebounds (13) and assists (four) in a single game as the Blue Raiders upset SEC foe Auburn, 88-81.
"It was a great feeling to be able to beat a physical SEC team like Auburn," Upshaw added. "They got us last year in an embarrassing way, so to have a great game like that with that atmosphere was amazing."
Upshaw is no stranger to a physical brand of basketball.Coming from Baylor (Chattanooga, TN), Upshaw was always taught to play physically, but also how to be a leader.
"Baylor just taught me how to play physical and to lead a team," Upshaw explained. "I'm later in my career now, but it just helped with the expectations that [MT head coach Kermit Davis] has for me. Just to have an open mind and play physical."
And for the 6-foot-7 forward, with a flattop equal in height, playing tough basketball hasn't been a problem.
As a senior at Baylor School, Upshaw averaged 22 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in being named an all-state and all-city selection.
Upshaw, who was being recruited by MT assistant coach Win Case, decided to bring his talents to Middle Tennessee.For the junior forward, the coach who recruited him has been his biggest mentor.
"Coach Case is always there, whether it is a good game or bad game," Upshaw said. "He's always checking up on me and making sure I'm alright. Some games I don't really do too well, but he always tells me to bounce back next game. Coach Case is just always there in my ear telling me something positive."
Much like any young player, Upshaw has seen his ups and downs, but every season has brought more experience for him.In his freshman season, Upshaw averaged 6.4 points per game and 3.5 rebounds per contest in 33 games (20 starts).
Following Upshaw's sophomore campaign, his season averages increased to 9.9 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per contest, including a team-high 251 rebounds for the season.
Headed into the Blue Raiders' matchup against in-state rival Belmont on Dec. 17, Upshaw is averaging career-highs in points per game (12.1 PPG) and rebounds per game (8.3 RPG).
"It's been everything I could have imagined," Upshaw said about his time at MT so far. "My freshman year, I was just trying to fill in a spot, and I was really the only underclassmen that played. And now, coming into this year, I've just been feeding off of last year. I come in every day and just try to get better each day in practice."
In the 2014-15 season, Upshaw and MT advanced to the C-USA Championship after a magical run pushed them into the title game against UAB.
Needing just one more win for an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament, the Blue Raiders fell short, 73-60, against the Blazers.
But, Middle Tennessee's run in last year's conference tournament has Upshaw and the Blue Raiders expecting an electric finish in 2015.
"We have a lot of returning players and we remember exactly how it felt to be so close to an NCAA bid," Upshaw said. "Last year, we were one half away from being in the NCAA tournament. So right now, we're hungry for that and we have a really good team."
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