Anticipation builds toward season opener

Friday, November 10

Knoxville, Tenn.

6:30 PM

Middle Tennessee

Tennessee

Photo by: MT Media Relations

11/9/2006 9:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball

By: MT Media Relations

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Excitement always surrounds the start of a new season but the anticipation for Middle Tennessee's 2006-07 opener against No. 24-ranked Tennessee Friday night appears to be building as the 6:30 p.m., tipoff at Tompson-Boling Arena nears.

Audio: Blue Raider Report

The Blue Raiders will be facing their in-state rival for the first time since 2002 when the Vols secured a 74-56 win in Knoxville and this season's opener marks the beginning of a five-year deal that will see Middle Tennessee play three games in Knoxville, while Tennessee will play once in Murfreesboro and once against the Blue Raiders at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville. "I think it's a good way to start our season," Middle Tennessee fifth-year coach Kermit Davis said. "You are playing a nationally-ranked team, it's a really good in-state rival, it's on television in our state; I just think it's a great way to promote our program. Obviously you could find some easier opponents but in a great atmosphere you are going to benefit. Whether you win or lose you are going to learn some valuable lessons." Middle Tennessee begins the new season with seven newcomers on the roster, including five freshmen dressing for their first Division I game, and the Blue Raiders are playing without Adam Vogelsberg, an All-Sun Belt selection and the team's leading scorer a year ago. Vogelsberg suffered a broken bone in his right foot last Sunday and is out six-to-eight weeks. Additionally, the Blue Raiders expect to start three sophomores (Kevin Kanaskie, Theryn Hudson and Calvin O'Neil), a freshman (Desmond Yates), and one senior (Kyle Young). Is this young group ready for the challenge that lies ahead? "They better be because we are tipping it up at 6:30 Friday night whether they are or not," Davis said. "I thought Kevin Kanaskie made a good statement in a recent interview when he talked about our sophomores not feeling like they are sophomores. (Kanaskie, O'Neil and Hudson) are sophomores but I know they feel like they are ready to play. Kyle Young and Tim Blue, our two seniors in this game, have played in a lot of games and the rest of the guys are new. It is their first Division I game and there will be nervousness but they are going to be thrown in the fire and they have to be ready to play a lot of minutes." Tennessee also will put a young team on the court as the Vols return regulars Chris Lofton, JaJuan Smith, and Dane Bradshaw from a year ago and then rely on a corps of young players. Davis says a big key will be how the Blue Raiders handle Tennessee's patented press under second-year coach Bruce Pearl. "You just can't have Tennessee score a bunch of baskets off turnovers," Davis said. "You have to get your defense set and be able to guard them in the halfcourt. We need to be able to make them pay a penalty for pressing and score some easy baskets on the other end. We really have to do a good job running our halfcourt offense." The game will be televised in the Midstate area on WUXP, Channel 30.