(St. Lous, MO) – Two classic and classy mid major teams collide tonight in Nashville. Although some don’t classify Middle Tennessee as a mid major, Conference USA is not a ‘power 6’ conference. When the Blue Raiders (9-1) visit Belmont (4-3) tonight in Music City it will be a statement game for both teams.
MTSU is receiving votes in the national polls. Their only loss came at the hands of fellow Ohio Valley member Tennessee State. Belmont is 14th in the most recent Mid-Major Top 25 Poll. TSU is currently 20th.
The two Tennessee based schools have met 36 times, including 20 at the Division 1 level. Belmont holds an 11-9 edge in D 1 games, and the Blue Raiders won last year’s contest.
Belmont’s Rick Byrd
Two veteran coaches that are greatly respected in the region and across the nation patrol the side-lines for these teams. Rick Byrd (735-382) and Kermit Davis (356-226) were both products of the Southeastern Conference. Byrd graduated from Tennessee and Davis from Mississippi State.
Both teams drill threes, upset major conference teams and graduate their players. These are programs that pay attention to what matters.
For the Blue Raiders this is about distancing themselves from that mid major label and trying to cement a bid in the upcoming NCAA Tournament whether they win the C-USA tournament or not. MTSU shocked the world during last season’s version of March Madness by becoming the eighth No. 15 seed to defeat a second seeded team when they upset Michigan State here in St. Louis.
For Byrd and Bruins, this game is about reestablishing themselves as the prominent mid major team in the region. Belmont struggled out of the starting gate, but have won three straight games and a win against MTSU would put them back into the regional conversation, if not the national discussions.
Game time on American Sports Network is 7:00 pm.
Twitter Feed
Three more road wins so far in @ValleyHoops as @BradleyUMBB @BelmontMBB & @UIC_MBB capture road wins. Looks like @DrakeBulldogsMB will do so too. #FatherHarry
Well @RacersWBB followed the men's example and swept Iowa in the @ValleyHoops race! Racers are 6-1 & if @BelmontWBB holds on to their Iowa sweep, the Bruins and Racers will be tied for first. What a trip for those two teams! #FatherHarry
After today's action, @EIUWBB is 8-0 in @OVCSports play. 4 teams @usiwbb @TTUWBB @LRTrojans @LindenwoodWBB are tied at 6-2. Six other teams are under .500. Great race to the finish lies ahead. #FatherHarry
Really entertaining game between @BelmontMBB & @UEAthletics_MBB. Under four minutes left in a one point game. Gabriel Pozzato back in the Aces' lineup. Rogers is playing like I've expected. Triples are dropping. It's fun and @kylejpeach bringing it on #ThePlus #FatherHarry
