Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
MT to open season against Akron in Gulf Coast Showcase
11/4/2020 1:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball, BRAA
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball is set to tip three weeks from today, and has learned it will face the Akron Zips in the season opener on day one of the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Fla.
Also in the field for the tournament, which takes place Nov. 25-27 at Hertz Arena, are Abilene Christian, Austin Peay, East Carolina, East Tennessee State, Indiana State and Omaha.
"We're really excited to be opening the season in a few short weeks at the Gulf Coast Showcase," Head Coach Nick McDevitt stated. "It's been a much more challenging offseason than everyone is used to so we're thrilled just to be this close to tipoff, but to be starting the season in this event will provide a good test to see where our team stands."
The Blue Raiders and Zips both competed in in the 2017 Diamond Head Classic, but did not face each other in that event with their last meeting coming in Dec. 2014.
Middle Tennessee got the best of that contest and has won six of the last seven meetings between the two schools, owning a 17-10 record in the all-time series in which all 27 games were played in a 34-season span between 1980 and 2014.
Thursday's opponent will be either Abilene Christian or ETSU, one a much more familiar foe for the Raiders than the other.
Middle Tennessee and ETSU have faced off 55 times since the 1949-50 season, making it the ninth most played series in Blue Raider history. MT owns the all-time advantage with a record of 34-21 against the Buccaneers.
Meanwhile, a match-up between the Raiders and Wildcats would be only the second in the history of the programs as ACU won the only other meeting in Dec. 1958.
Austin Peay, East Carolina, Indiana State and Omaha fill the other side of the bracket with three of the four having history with MT.
The Govs are Middle Tennessee's third most played rivalry game in program history, having faced off 138 times in over 80 seasons. The Blue Raiders lead the all-time series 75-63 and won each of the last two meetings, both in 2011.
East Carolina holds a 2-1 advantage against MT with the loss coming in the most recent meeting, a 2014 contest in the lone season that the two teams crossed paths as Conference USA members.
Indiana State and Middle Tennessee last faced off in a Blue Raider win in 2006 and will look to break a 2-2 tie in the series record should the meet in the final round, while a match-up between MT and Omaha would be the first ever for the two programs.
As the second game of the day, Middle Tennessee and Akron will tip at 1:00 p.m. CT on Nov. 25. All 12 games of the event will be streamed live and available on-demand on FloHoops.com.
Health and Safety Plan
bdG Sports has implanted a comprehensive health and safety plan as part of the #BeachBubble. The plan includes:
There will be no general fan access for the Gulf Coast Showcase games and tickets will not be available to the general public. A limited number of "Spectator Credentials" will be supplied to each team. A requirement to receiving these team-issued credentials, all individuals will receive a COVID-19 rapid antigen test at the event's medical center at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point.
Preferred hotel rates at the official tournament resort hotel – the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point – are available at www.GulfCoastShowcase.com.
Complete #BeachBubble event information can be found at www.GulfCoastShowcase.com and on social media at @GCShowcase.
Also in the field for the tournament, which takes place Nov. 25-27 at Hertz Arena, are Abilene Christian, Austin Peay, East Carolina, East Tennessee State, Indiana State and Omaha.
"We're really excited to be opening the season in a few short weeks at the Gulf Coast Showcase," Head Coach Nick McDevitt stated. "It's been a much more challenging offseason than everyone is used to so we're thrilled just to be this close to tipoff, but to be starting the season in this event will provide a good test to see where our team stands."
The Blue Raiders and Zips both competed in in the 2017 Diamond Head Classic, but did not face each other in that event with their last meeting coming in Dec. 2014.
Middle Tennessee got the best of that contest and has won six of the last seven meetings between the two schools, owning a 17-10 record in the all-time series in which all 27 games were played in a 34-season span between 1980 and 2014.
Thursday's opponent will be either Abilene Christian or ETSU, one a much more familiar foe for the Raiders than the other.
Middle Tennessee and ETSU have faced off 55 times since the 1949-50 season, making it the ninth most played series in Blue Raider history. MT owns the all-time advantage with a record of 34-21 against the Buccaneers.
Meanwhile, a match-up between the Raiders and Wildcats would be only the second in the history of the programs as ACU won the only other meeting in Dec. 1958.
Austin Peay, East Carolina, Indiana State and Omaha fill the other side of the bracket with three of the four having history with MT.
The Govs are Middle Tennessee's third most played rivalry game in program history, having faced off 138 times in over 80 seasons. The Blue Raiders lead the all-time series 75-63 and won each of the last two meetings, both in 2011.
East Carolina holds a 2-1 advantage against MT with the loss coming in the most recent meeting, a 2014 contest in the lone season that the two teams crossed paths as Conference USA members.
Indiana State and Middle Tennessee last faced off in a Blue Raider win in 2006 and will look to break a 2-2 tie in the series record should the meet in the final round, while a match-up between MT and Omaha would be the first ever for the two programs.
As the second game of the day, Middle Tennessee and Akron will tip at 1:00 p.m. CT on Nov. 25. All 12 games of the event will be streamed live and available on-demand on FloHoops.com.
Health and Safety Plan
bdG Sports has implanted a comprehensive health and safety plan as part of the #BeachBubble. The plan includes:
- COVID-19 testing antigen and antibody testing prior to arrival in Southwest Florida
- Rapid antigen testing provided by Summit One Source upon arrival and throughout the stay
- The availability of rapid PCR testing with a three-hour turnaround time to confirm any positive tests from the antigen testing
- Daily medical screenings which include self-evaluations and temperature screenings
- Implementation of Loop Insights' contract tracing through he "wallet" feature on cell phones
- Social distancing and mask requirements in public spaces at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point and the game venue
- Enhanced cleaning protocols at the resort, game venues and on local ground transportation
There will be no general fan access for the Gulf Coast Showcase games and tickets will not be available to the general public. A limited number of "Spectator Credentials" will be supplied to each team. A requirement to receiving these team-issued credentials, all individuals will receive a COVID-19 rapid antigen test at the event's medical center at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point.
Preferred hotel rates at the official tournament resort hotel – the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point – are available at www.GulfCoastShowcase.com.
Complete #BeachBubble event information can be found at www.GulfCoastShowcase.com and on social media at @GCShowcase.
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