Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Photo by: Brent Beerends/Athletic Communications
MT hosts Ole Miss, targeting second SEC win this season
12/8/2017 3:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
GAME INFORMATION
[Game Notes]
Hashtag: #TrueBlue, #BlueRaiders
Twitter: @MT_MBB
Instagram: MT_MBB
Facebook: MTSUMBB
Date: Saturday, December 9th
Time: 5:00 PM. CT
Match-up: Middle Tennessee (6-1) vs. Ole Miss (4-3)
Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn. | Murphy Center
Live Video | Live Stats
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Coming off a road victory at Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee pivots their focus towards hosting another Southeastern Conference foe, Ole Miss, Saturday in Murphy Center.
The Blue Raiders, who are a perfect 4-0 against SEC opponents in the last three years, also hold the all-time series lead over the Rebels, 5-4, including three out of four meetings coached by Kermit Davis.
In last season's matchup, the Blue Raiders trounced Ole Miss 77-62, in a game they led by as many as 29 points.
Giddy Potts led the way for MT scoring 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field. More impressively, the Blue Raiders held Ole Miss to 40 percent shooting, while forcing 16 turnovers.
"I don't know if I've ever had a team play a more perfect half than we did in the first half against Ole Miss," said head coach Kermit Davis. "Then in the second half we kind of held on for dear life. (This year) it'll be a totally different game though, but it'll be an unbelievable environment."
Guards Antwain Johnson (ankle) and Tyrik Dixon (knee) continue to work back from minor injuries. Both players were out of the starting lineup against Vanderbilt, and while Johnson sat out the game, Dixon was limited to just six minutes of action.
In their absence the Blue Raiders relied more heavily on their frontcourt as Nick King has maintained his high scoring output (24.1 points per game, second in C-USA and fifth in NCAA).
Additionally, senior center Brandon Walters has perhaps made the biggest strides on the floor this season. Against the Commodores, Walters posted a career high in points with 16 on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor.
"(Brandon) is playing more minutes now because he's in the best shape of his life," said Davis. "He's a critical player for us down the stretch."
Meanwhile, Ole Miss is coming off back-to-back overtime losses to South Dakota State and Virginia Tech. Saturday's game also marks the Rebels' first true road game of the season.
However, the Rebels' potent offense still poses a major scoring threat, with four players averaging in double figures. Terence Davis and Deandre Burnett currently lead the way for Ole Miss, averaging 17.9 and 15.7 points per game respectively.
Additionally, fellow Memphis, Tenn. native Markel Crawford is contributing 11 points per contest for the Rebels. Crawford and Nick King were teammates at the University of Memphis for two years before both decided to transfer.
Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in Murphy Center. The game will be streamed on by Stadium on Facebook.
[Game Notes]
Hashtag: #TrueBlue, #BlueRaiders
Twitter: @MT_MBB
Instagram: MT_MBB
Facebook: MTSUMBB
Date: Saturday, December 9th
Time: 5:00 PM. CT
Match-up: Middle Tennessee (6-1) vs. Ole Miss (4-3)
Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn. | Murphy Center
Live Video | Live Stats
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Coming off a road victory at Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee pivots their focus towards hosting another Southeastern Conference foe, Ole Miss, Saturday in Murphy Center.
The Blue Raiders, who are a perfect 4-0 against SEC opponents in the last three years, also hold the all-time series lead over the Rebels, 5-4, including three out of four meetings coached by Kermit Davis.
In last season's matchup, the Blue Raiders trounced Ole Miss 77-62, in a game they led by as many as 29 points.
Giddy Potts led the way for MT scoring 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field. More impressively, the Blue Raiders held Ole Miss to 40 percent shooting, while forcing 16 turnovers.
"I don't know if I've ever had a team play a more perfect half than we did in the first half against Ole Miss," said head coach Kermit Davis. "Then in the second half we kind of held on for dear life. (This year) it'll be a totally different game though, but it'll be an unbelievable environment."
Guards Antwain Johnson (ankle) and Tyrik Dixon (knee) continue to work back from minor injuries. Both players were out of the starting lineup against Vanderbilt, and while Johnson sat out the game, Dixon was limited to just six minutes of action.
In their absence the Blue Raiders relied more heavily on their frontcourt as Nick King has maintained his high scoring output (24.1 points per game, second in C-USA and fifth in NCAA).
Additionally, senior center Brandon Walters has perhaps made the biggest strides on the floor this season. Against the Commodores, Walters posted a career high in points with 16 on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor.
"(Brandon) is playing more minutes now because he's in the best shape of his life," said Davis. "He's a critical player for us down the stretch."
Meanwhile, Ole Miss is coming off back-to-back overtime losses to South Dakota State and Virginia Tech. Saturday's game also marks the Rebels' first true road game of the season.
However, the Rebels' potent offense still poses a major scoring threat, with four players averaging in double figures. Terence Davis and Deandre Burnett currently lead the way for Ole Miss, averaging 17.9 and 15.7 points per game respectively.
Additionally, fellow Memphis, Tenn. native Markel Crawford is contributing 11 points per contest for the Rebels. Crawford and Nick King were teammates at the University of Memphis for two years before both decided to transfer.
Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in Murphy Center. The game will be streamed on by Stadium on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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