Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Trophy to visit Murphy Center
1/9/2018 3:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Trophy will be on hand to watch Middle Tennessee take on LA Tech Thursday at the Murphy Center.
As part of the NCAA's Road to the Final Four, the trophy will be displayed in the Murphy Center upper concourse behind section P during pregame so fans can have a chance to get up close and personal and snap a photo. Stop by between 6:30 and 8 p.m. before the 8:05 tipoff.
Before the game Thursday, we thought fans should get to know the trophy a little better and find out why it's making a trip to Middle Tennessee.
GoBlueRaiders.com: So, Trophy, why did you decide to put Middle Tennessee on your schedule for this year's Road to the Final Four?
Trophy: The decision was easy, to be honest. The track record the Blue Raiders have developed over the past few years stands for itself with victories over Big Ten Conference opponents Michigan State and Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament and winning back-to-back Conference USA Tournament titles. Becoming the first program in NCAA Tournament history to win first round games in back-to-back seasons against Power Five Conference teams as a 12 seed or higher is quite a feat.
I also was hoping to see some warm weather, and it looks like I picked the perfect week to come!
GBR: What are you most looking forward to while you're here?
Trophy: Other than a Middle Tennessee victory, I want to see Nick King wearing the Blue Raider uniform. The senior is having an outstanding year, currently ranking 11th in the country in scoring (22.9 points per game) and grabbing 7.5 rebounds per game. It's no surprise he's already been named C-USA Player of the Week three times this season.
I can't stop in Murfreesboro and not be excited to see Giddy Potts, either. He's had a terrific start to his final C-USA campaign, shooting 47.6 percent (10-of-21) from 3-point range in the Blue Raiders' three wins to open the conference slate. Plus, he has the best name in college basketball and a smile to match.
Of course, I'm also thrilled that I get to meet Coach Kermit Davis. He's made a name for himself as one of the best coaches in the nation since taking over at MT 16 seasons ago, becoming the only coach in program history to break the 300-win mark in the Boro. I've heard he can get pretty excited on the sidelines, too!
GBR: You've been all around the nation watching teams. What about the way Middle Tennessee plays breeds such success?
Trophy: The old adage in sports is, "defense wins championships." Well, there's no surprise the Blue Raiders have taken control of Conference USA with the brand of defense they play.
They're currently third in C-USA giving up just 68.1 points per game, and that number is even lower in conference-only play at 61 per contest. Davis has developed a signature 1-3-1 defense that can drop back into a 2-3 matchup zone, and that has caused a lot of issues for other teams for years. Middle Tennessee currently allows teams to shoot 41.3 percent from the field.
You also have to take care of the ball offensively after you play good defense, and Davis' teams have been historically great in the turnover category. This year, the Blue Raiders are one of just five C-USA teams with a positive turnover margin.
GBR: You see more than just great basketball players on the Road to the Final Four. You also see tremendous student-athletes who excel in the classroom. What impresses you most about the work Middle Tennessee's basketball players do with their studies?
Trophy: There's no doubt Coach Davis puts a heavy emphasis on his players excelling in the classroom. That's plain to see from Middle Tennessee being one of just six teams to win a 2017 NCAA Tournament game while having a 100-percent graduation rate from its seniors. The Blue Raiders joined Butler, Notre Dame, Villanova, Duke and Kansas on that list – some notable and historic college basketball programs.
This year's team is no different in the classroom, either. Davis raves constantly about the work his players put into their studies, and it shows. Edward Simpson is a senior mechatronics engineering major with a near-4.0 GPA. Now, those are some smarts!
GBR: The Blue Raiders were the first team in the country to reach seven true road victories this season. Why are they so good away from the Murphy Center?
Trophy: Starting 7-0 in true road games is one of the most impressive feats you can find around the nation, especially with the tough schedule Middle Tennessee has had to play to this point. Their 12th-ranked non-conference strength of schedule included trips to 2017 NCAA Tournament teams Vanderbilt and Florida Gulf Coast, both ending in wins for the Raiders.
I don't think there's a secret to their success. In order to win games on the road, you have to play good defense, avoid costly turnovers and have leaders take over offensively. With its outstanding defense, ability to take care of the ball and Nick King and Giddy Potts leading the way, MT is tough to beat, even on the road.
GBR: What can you say about Middle Tennessee's fans?
Trophy: Dedication. That's the word that comes to mind when I think of Middle Tennessee's fans.
It's easy to see Blue Raider Nation loves all of its teams, especially men's basketball. The Blue Raiders currently lead Conference USA in average home attendance with more than 6,800 people flocking to the Murphy Center on game nights. Their showing for the last two NCAA Tournaments was also notable – St. Louis in 2016 and Milwaukee last year were definitely painted blue.
I'm so excited that I get to share some time with the Middle Tennessee faithful! I hope they show up ready to take some pictures with me and ready to get rowdy to try and help the Blue Raiders get another C-USA win over LA Tech!
As part of the NCAA's Road to the Final Four, the trophy will be displayed in the Murphy Center upper concourse behind section P during pregame so fans can have a chance to get up close and personal and snap a photo. Stop by between 6:30 and 8 p.m. before the 8:05 tipoff.
Before the game Thursday, we thought fans should get to know the trophy a little better and find out why it's making a trip to Middle Tennessee.
GoBlueRaiders.com: So, Trophy, why did you decide to put Middle Tennessee on your schedule for this year's Road to the Final Four?
Trophy: The decision was easy, to be honest. The track record the Blue Raiders have developed over the past few years stands for itself with victories over Big Ten Conference opponents Michigan State and Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament and winning back-to-back Conference USA Tournament titles. Becoming the first program in NCAA Tournament history to win first round games in back-to-back seasons against Power Five Conference teams as a 12 seed or higher is quite a feat.
I also was hoping to see some warm weather, and it looks like I picked the perfect week to come!
GBR: What are you most looking forward to while you're here?
Trophy: Other than a Middle Tennessee victory, I want to see Nick King wearing the Blue Raider uniform. The senior is having an outstanding year, currently ranking 11th in the country in scoring (22.9 points per game) and grabbing 7.5 rebounds per game. It's no surprise he's already been named C-USA Player of the Week three times this season.
I can't stop in Murfreesboro and not be excited to see Giddy Potts, either. He's had a terrific start to his final C-USA campaign, shooting 47.6 percent (10-of-21) from 3-point range in the Blue Raiders' three wins to open the conference slate. Plus, he has the best name in college basketball and a smile to match.
Of course, I'm also thrilled that I get to meet Coach Kermit Davis. He's made a name for himself as one of the best coaches in the nation since taking over at MT 16 seasons ago, becoming the only coach in program history to break the 300-win mark in the Boro. I've heard he can get pretty excited on the sidelines, too!
GBR: You've been all around the nation watching teams. What about the way Middle Tennessee plays breeds such success?
Trophy: The old adage in sports is, "defense wins championships." Well, there's no surprise the Blue Raiders have taken control of Conference USA with the brand of defense they play.
They're currently third in C-USA giving up just 68.1 points per game, and that number is even lower in conference-only play at 61 per contest. Davis has developed a signature 1-3-1 defense that can drop back into a 2-3 matchup zone, and that has caused a lot of issues for other teams for years. Middle Tennessee currently allows teams to shoot 41.3 percent from the field.
You also have to take care of the ball offensively after you play good defense, and Davis' teams have been historically great in the turnover category. This year, the Blue Raiders are one of just five C-USA teams with a positive turnover margin.
GBR: You see more than just great basketball players on the Road to the Final Four. You also see tremendous student-athletes who excel in the classroom. What impresses you most about the work Middle Tennessee's basketball players do with their studies?
Trophy: There's no doubt Coach Davis puts a heavy emphasis on his players excelling in the classroom. That's plain to see from Middle Tennessee being one of just six teams to win a 2017 NCAA Tournament game while having a 100-percent graduation rate from its seniors. The Blue Raiders joined Butler, Notre Dame, Villanova, Duke and Kansas on that list – some notable and historic college basketball programs.
This year's team is no different in the classroom, either. Davis raves constantly about the work his players put into their studies, and it shows. Edward Simpson is a senior mechatronics engineering major with a near-4.0 GPA. Now, those are some smarts!
GBR: The Blue Raiders were the first team in the country to reach seven true road victories this season. Why are they so good away from the Murphy Center?
Trophy: Starting 7-0 in true road games is one of the most impressive feats you can find around the nation, especially with the tough schedule Middle Tennessee has had to play to this point. Their 12th-ranked non-conference strength of schedule included trips to 2017 NCAA Tournament teams Vanderbilt and Florida Gulf Coast, both ending in wins for the Raiders.
I don't think there's a secret to their success. In order to win games on the road, you have to play good defense, avoid costly turnovers and have leaders take over offensively. With its outstanding defense, ability to take care of the ball and Nick King and Giddy Potts leading the way, MT is tough to beat, even on the road.
GBR: What can you say about Middle Tennessee's fans?
Trophy: Dedication. That's the word that comes to mind when I think of Middle Tennessee's fans.
It's easy to see Blue Raider Nation loves all of its teams, especially men's basketball. The Blue Raiders currently lead Conference USA in average home attendance with more than 6,800 people flocking to the Murphy Center on game nights. Their showing for the last two NCAA Tournaments was also notable – St. Louis in 2016 and Milwaukee last year were definitely painted blue.
I'm so excited that I get to share some time with the Middle Tennessee faithful! I hope they show up ready to take some pictures with me and ready to get rowdy to try and help the Blue Raiders get another C-USA win over LA Tech!
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MTSU Men's Basketball Post Game Press Conference vs Chattanooga NIT 3/18/25
Tuesday, March 18
