Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Men's Hoops to Host Ole Miss at Bridgestone Arena
8/6/2018 9:35:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Raiders, Rebels clash again on Dec. 21
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – For the fourth time in the last 11 seasons, Middle Tennessee men's basketball is set to make the short trip up Interstate 24 to host a regular season contest at Bridgestone Arena, this time facing off against the Ole Miss Rebels on Dec. 21.
The Blue Raiders, coming off of a 25-8 campaign that saw them reach the second round of the National Invitation Tournament, most recently played at Bridgestone in Dec. 2015, taking down the Auburn Tigers, 88-81, in an overtime thriller.
"It's important for our programs to have a presence in Nashville and playing at Bridgestone Arena gives us a first-class venue against an SEC opponent to showcase our men's basketball program," Director of Athletics Chris Massaro said. "We're always excited about these games at Bridgestone and obviously there are a lot of storylines involved with (Ole Miss Head Coach) Kermit Davis' return to the mid-state. I think this will be a fun game for everyone and we are looking forward to December 21st."
Nashville will see a new look Blue Raider squad in 2018, as 16-year head coach Kermit Davis will be on the opposite bench while MT's new leader on the hardwood, Nick McDevitt, hopes to lead his revamped roster past his predecessor to improve on an impressive 5-1 Blue Raider record against SEC opponents since the 2015-16 season.
"We're really looking forward to hosting Ole Miss at Bridgestone Arena," McDevitt said. "It's another great opportunity for our program to play in such a prominent venue against a team out of the Southeastern Conference.
"Games like this continue to put Middle Tennessee basketball on a national stage. We're very appreciative of Coach Davis and his staff, and their willingness to continue this great series with us."
Middle Tennessee's 2018-19 roster will feature Murfreesboro product Donovan Sims and transfer Antonio Green, who was one of the top 3-point shooters in the nation during his sophomore campaign at UTRGV, on the wing.
The talented guard duo is joined by experienced returners Karl Gamble and James Hawthorne in the post while Therren Shelton-Szmidt will look to provide an additional threat from downtown opposite Green.
The meeting at Bridgestone will be the third in a four-game series between the Raiders and Rebels, with Middle Tennessee taking the first two decisions in Oxford and Murfreesboro.
Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, August 8. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Ticketmaster. All Middle Tennessee men's basketball seasons ticket packages will include for the contest at Bridgestone Arena.
The Blue Raiders, coming off of a 25-8 campaign that saw them reach the second round of the National Invitation Tournament, most recently played at Bridgestone in Dec. 2015, taking down the Auburn Tigers, 88-81, in an overtime thriller.
"It's important for our programs to have a presence in Nashville and playing at Bridgestone Arena gives us a first-class venue against an SEC opponent to showcase our men's basketball program," Director of Athletics Chris Massaro said. "We're always excited about these games at Bridgestone and obviously there are a lot of storylines involved with (Ole Miss Head Coach) Kermit Davis' return to the mid-state. I think this will be a fun game for everyone and we are looking forward to December 21st."
Nashville will see a new look Blue Raider squad in 2018, as 16-year head coach Kermit Davis will be on the opposite bench while MT's new leader on the hardwood, Nick McDevitt, hopes to lead his revamped roster past his predecessor to improve on an impressive 5-1 Blue Raider record against SEC opponents since the 2015-16 season.
"We're really looking forward to hosting Ole Miss at Bridgestone Arena," McDevitt said. "It's another great opportunity for our program to play in such a prominent venue against a team out of the Southeastern Conference.
"Games like this continue to put Middle Tennessee basketball on a national stage. We're very appreciative of Coach Davis and his staff, and their willingness to continue this great series with us."
Middle Tennessee's 2018-19 roster will feature Murfreesboro product Donovan Sims and transfer Antonio Green, who was one of the top 3-point shooters in the nation during his sophomore campaign at UTRGV, on the wing.
The talented guard duo is joined by experienced returners Karl Gamble and James Hawthorne in the post while Therren Shelton-Szmidt will look to provide an additional threat from downtown opposite Green.
The meeting at Bridgestone will be the third in a four-game series between the Raiders and Rebels, with Middle Tennessee taking the first two decisions in Oxford and Murfreesboro.
Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, August 8. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Ticketmaster. All Middle Tennessee men's basketball seasons ticket packages will include for the contest at Bridgestone Arena.
Bridgestone Arena
Since its doors first opened in 1996, Bridgestone Arena has hosted a wide variety of sporting events including the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament (2000, 2003, 2005, 2012), SEC Men's Basketball Tournament (2001, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2015), SEC Women's Basketball Tournament (2002, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012), 2014 NCAA Women's Final Four and the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Bridgestone Arena is the premier location to watch basketball in Middle Tennessee!
Since its doors first opened in 1996, Bridgestone Arena has hosted a wide variety of sporting events including the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament (2000, 2003, 2005, 2012), SEC Men's Basketball Tournament (2001, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2015), SEC Women's Basketball Tournament (2002, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012), 2014 NCAA Women's Final Four and the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Bridgestone Arena is the premier location to watch basketball in Middle Tennessee!
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