Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Blue Raiders finalize 2023-24 nonconference schedule
8/17/2023 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Head coach Nick McDevitt and Middle Tennessee men's basketball have announced their 2023-24 nonconference schedule. Nine of the 15 games will take place at Murphy Center with three neutral site games and three true road games.
"We're really looking forward to the 2023-24 basketball season and playing once again in the Murphy Center," head coach Nick McDevitt said. "We've had a real home-court advantage over the last few seasons, going 29-2 in our last 31 home games, so to be able to play 17 regular season home contests is great.
"It's a challenging nonconference schedule that will feature games against regional rivals as well as others that will be favorites to win their respective leagues."
As a result of the home-heavy nonconference slate, the Blue Raiders are set to play 17 regular season home games, equaling the most in a season at the Murphy Center.
The season kicks off November 6 with the Blue Raiders hosting Northern Kentucky, fresh off a Horizon League title and NCAA Tournament appearance. This will be MTSU's first-ever game against the Norse. Stephen F. Austin makes its first-ever appearance at the Murphy Center November 9 as part of the scheduling initiative between CUSA and the WAC, marking the third straight year the Blue Raiders and Lumberjacks have met in the regular season.
MTSU hosts Western Carolina (Nov. 13), Milligan (Nov. 18) and former CUSA foe UAB (Nov. 21) before its first games outside of Murfreesboro. The Catamounts will make their first appearance in Murfreesboro since 1981 and are generating buzz as a favorite in the Southern Conference this season. Milligan and MTSU will square off for the 13th time on record. The Blue Raiders have won four of their last six home games against the Blazers.
The Blue Raiders will spend Thanksgiving weekend in Nassau, Bahamas, at the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship. The opening round pits the Blue Raiders against UIC, with the second-round matchup coming against either Ohio or George Washington. MTSU's final opponent will be one of UNC Greensboro, Kansas City, Brown or Delaware.
Back in the Glass House, the Blue Raiders host Wofford (Dec. 2), Missouri State (Dec. 5) and Belmont (Dec. 9). MTSU will face the Terriers for the first time ever. The Bears will make their first trip to Murfreesboro as part of a home-and-home series that started in 2022-23. Belmont makes a return trip to Murfreesboro after the Blue Raiders defeated the Bruins in an overtime thriller in Nashville last December.
The first true road games of the season come on a western swing that takes the Blue Raiders to Saint Mary's (Dec. 19) and Southern Utah (Dec. 22). Saint Mary's finished the 2022-23 season at No. 11 in the NCAA Net Rankings and is No. 23 in ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25. The matchup with the Thunderbirds will constitute the second part of the CUSA-WAC initiative.
The final nonconference road game takes MTSU to Murray State on December 30. This will be the 146th meeting between the Blue Raiders and Racers. The final nonconference game of the regular season pits the Blue Raiders against Reinhardt on January 3.
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