Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Thursday, January 21
Murfreesboro, TN
6:30 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
vs
North Texas
Raiders to Host North Texas Thursday
1/20/2016 3:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MT hopes to extend current four-game win streak
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – With a four-game winning streak in hand, Middle Tennessee opens its conference homestand on Thursday when they host North Texas at 6:30 p.m. in the Murphy Center.
GAME INFORMATION
(FULL GAME NOTES)
Hashtag: #TrueFamily, #BlueRaiders
Twitter: MT_MBB
Instagram: @MT_MBB
Facebook: Blue Raider Athletics
Date: Thursday, Jan. 21
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Teams: Middle Tennessee (12-5, 4-1 C-USA) vs. North Texas (7-11, 2-3 C-USA)
Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Stadium: Murphy Center (11,520)
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/Video | Live Stats
GAME NOTES:
There's No Place Like Home
The Blue Raiders have kicked it up a notch at home this season, going 6-1 through their first seven home games in front of an average crowd of over 5,300 Blue Raider fans. MT is averaging 76.3 ppg in the Murphy Center compared to 67.7 on the road and are holding opponents to just 67.1 ppg at home. The Raiders also collect 9.5 more rebounds, 2.8 more blocks and 1.5 more steals per game at home.
Depth Chart
Middle Tennessee boasts one of the deepest rosters in Conference USA this season. Head coach Kermit Davis has played each of the 12 scholarship players in at least 75 percent of this season's contests, with the exception of Jacob Ivory who sat out the first eight games due to injury. Each of the 12 are
averaging over five minutes per game while eight of the 12 are averaging over 15 minutes per game. With that kind of depth, Davis has been able to try eight different starting lineups in 17 games to find his best combination.
Protecting the Rock
Since Jacob Ivory's return against Belmont on Dec. 17, Middle Tennessee has taken better care of the ball, leading to more scoring. The Blue Raiders have dropped from 14.4 turnovers per game while Ivory was out to only 10.7 since his return. The emphasis on protecting the ball has helped the Blue Raiders increase their offensive output from 70.2 points per game to 72.1.
Get it Going, Guards
Head Coach Kermit Davis has been looking for more consistent play from his guards outside of Giddy Potts. Sophomore Edward Simpson filled that void as he poured in 14 points in the second half at Old Dominion. In fact, Simpson's best performances often coincide with Blue Raider victories. When MT wins, Simpson is 49.2 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three-point range, good for 7.0 points per game. In MT losses those numbers drop to 16.7 percent from the field, 9.1 percent from three and 2.0 points per game.
Fantastic Four
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 four players in double-figures in Upshaw (13.1), Giddy Potts (15.8), Darnell Harris (13.6) and Perrin Buford (10.1).
And Your Point Is…?
With Jacob Ivory's start against Trevecca, MT has now started all three PGs this season. The Blue Raiders
are 4-2 in Copeland's starts, 3-3 in Raymond's and 5-0 in Ivory's. MT is averaging about six points more per game when Ivory starts in the small sample size.
Series History
On Thursday, the Middle Tennessee men's basketball team plays North Texas looking to extend its four-game winning streak. MT leads the series 12-7 and is 7-1 in Murfreesboro. The Raiders have also won six out of the last seven meetings. In two meetings as members of Conference USA, both taking place in Denton, the series is tied 1-1.
Last Time Out
A second-half spark from sophomore Edward Simpson proved to be the difference for Middle Tennessee in a huge 64-61 win at Old Dominion. Simpson totaled 14 points, tying his career high, in the second half and went 3-4 from behind the arc.
Darnell Harris led the Blue Raiders with 19 points on an 8-14 shooting performance. He also tallied six rebounds and three assists in the contest. Giddy Potts contributed 11 points and five rebounds.
Middle Tennessee (12-5, 4-1) shot 47.1 percent from the field and held Old Dominion (9-9, 2-3) to a 40.4 percent performance while going just 3-16 from three.
Jacob Ivory came through in the clutch against the Monarchs. The sophomore point guard went 5-6 from the charity stripe in the final 56 seconds of the game.
GAME INFORMATION
(FULL GAME NOTES)
Hashtag: #TrueFamily, #BlueRaiders
Twitter: MT_MBB
Instagram: @MT_MBB
Facebook: Blue Raider Athletics
Date: Thursday, Jan. 21
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Teams: Middle Tennessee (12-5, 4-1 C-USA) vs. North Texas (7-11, 2-3 C-USA)
Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Stadium: Murphy Center (11,520)
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/Video | Live Stats
GAME NOTES:
There's No Place Like Home
The Blue Raiders have kicked it up a notch at home this season, going 6-1 through their first seven home games in front of an average crowd of over 5,300 Blue Raider fans. MT is averaging 76.3 ppg in the Murphy Center compared to 67.7 on the road and are holding opponents to just 67.1 ppg at home. The Raiders also collect 9.5 more rebounds, 2.8 more blocks and 1.5 more steals per game at home.
Depth Chart
Middle Tennessee boasts one of the deepest rosters in Conference USA this season. Head coach Kermit Davis has played each of the 12 scholarship players in at least 75 percent of this season's contests, with the exception of Jacob Ivory who sat out the first eight games due to injury. Each of the 12 are
averaging over five minutes per game while eight of the 12 are averaging over 15 minutes per game. With that kind of depth, Davis has been able to try eight different starting lineups in 17 games to find his best combination.
Protecting the Rock
Since Jacob Ivory's return against Belmont on Dec. 17, Middle Tennessee has taken better care of the ball, leading to more scoring. The Blue Raiders have dropped from 14.4 turnovers per game while Ivory was out to only 10.7 since his return. The emphasis on protecting the ball has helped the Blue Raiders increase their offensive output from 70.2 points per game to 72.1.
Get it Going, Guards
Head Coach Kermit Davis has been looking for more consistent play from his guards outside of Giddy Potts. Sophomore Edward Simpson filled that void as he poured in 14 points in the second half at Old Dominion. In fact, Simpson's best performances often coincide with Blue Raider victories. When MT wins, Simpson is 49.2 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three-point range, good for 7.0 points per game. In MT losses those numbers drop to 16.7 percent from the field, 9.1 percent from three and 2.0 points per game.
Fantastic Four
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 four players in double-figures in Upshaw (13.1), Giddy Potts (15.8), Darnell Harris (13.6) and Perrin Buford (10.1).
And Your Point Is…?
With Jacob Ivory's start against Trevecca, MT has now started all three PGs this season. The Blue Raiders
are 4-2 in Copeland's starts, 3-3 in Raymond's and 5-0 in Ivory's. MT is averaging about six points more per game when Ivory starts in the small sample size.
Series History
On Thursday, the Middle Tennessee men's basketball team plays North Texas looking to extend its four-game winning streak. MT leads the series 12-7 and is 7-1 in Murfreesboro. The Raiders have also won six out of the last seven meetings. In two meetings as members of Conference USA, both taking place in Denton, the series is tied 1-1.
Last Time Out
A second-half spark from sophomore Edward Simpson proved to be the difference for Middle Tennessee in a huge 64-61 win at Old Dominion. Simpson totaled 14 points, tying his career high, in the second half and went 3-4 from behind the arc.
Darnell Harris led the Blue Raiders with 19 points on an 8-14 shooting performance. He also tallied six rebounds and three assists in the contest. Giddy Potts contributed 11 points and five rebounds.
Middle Tennessee (12-5, 4-1) shot 47.1 percent from the field and held Old Dominion (9-9, 2-3) to a 40.4 percent performance while going just 3-16 from three.
Jacob Ivory came through in the clutch against the Monarchs. The sophomore point guard went 5-6 from the charity stripe in the final 56 seconds of the game.
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballFacility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
2025 Blue Raider Blitz Media Panel
Thursday, July 03
MTSU Men's Basketball Coach Nick McDevitt interview at 2025 Blue Raider Blitz
Monday, June 30
MTSU Men's Basketball Post Game Press Conference vs Chattanooga NIT 3/18/25
Tuesday, March 18
