By Tyler Cobbs
Motlow Buzz Reporter
Middle Tennessee State University men’s basketball head coach Kermit Davis is in the mist of his 15th season and has led the basketball program to a historic run in the last few seasons. Coach Davis has secured two Conference USA Championship titles, earned back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, and won at least 25 games in the last four seasons. Senior Reggie Upshaw Jr. and junior Giddy Potts are also responsible for MTSU’s recent success.
Coach Davis has led the men’s basketball team to yet again another fantastic year, ending the regular season at 30-4 and becoming the 2016-2017 regular season Conference USA Champions. After this season, Kermit Davis is now the all-time winningest coach in program history with a total of 276 victories.Lightning Start for the Blue Raiders
The Blue Raiders started off this season with a bang, winning 10 out of their first 11 games. Also, early in the season, MTSU was invited to the Nashville “Music City Challenge,” a mid-season tournament held at Bridgestone Arena every year. Effortlessly, the Blue Raiders won the tournament title for the first time and defeated UNC Wilmington, Toledo, and Evansville along the way.
Blue Raiders Gallop Through Conference USA
After a grueling non-conference schedule, the Blue Raiders are focused and prepared for Conference USA play. Senior and four-year-starter Reggie Upshaw Jr. led the team to an incredible 10 game win streak to start of their conference schedule. On New Year’s Day, Upshaw scored a career and season high 34 points against the University of Alabama Birmingham in their conference opener. After the final buzzer, the crowed gave the senior a standing ovation after his unbelievable performance.
MTSU went on to finish with a record of 17-1 in the Conference USA, only suffering a loss to the University of Texas El Paso. Still with the best record in the conference, MTSU claimed the regular season conference championship for the fifth time in the last seven years.
MTSU Thrives in Conference Tournament
The next big challenge for the Blue Raiders was the Conference USA Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama. The winner is crowned champions and earns a guaranteed spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Raiders were the victors over Marshall University, 83-72, in the championship game, and were led by junior standout-guard Giddy Potts, who finished the game with 36 points.NCAA Tournament Bound
The Blue Raiders clinched an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in a row. MTSU was rewarded the 12th seed in the South Region bracket and faced fifth seeded Minnesota University in the round of 64. The immaculate Blue Raiders advanced to the next round, defeating Minnesota, 81-72. In the following round, MTSU’s season came to an end. The Blue Raiders fought in a tough game and were defeated by fourth-seeded Butler University, 65-74. While at the watch party in the student union building at MTSU, students and I were left stunned after suffering from defeat.
The Beginning of Something Great
The season may have come to an end for the Blue Raiders, but the start of a dynasty may be on the horizon. With head coach Kermit Davis at the helm and some talented incoming freshmen, anything is possible for MTSU’s men’s basketball program. The future looks bright for an already well-established ball club. Next year looks to be the year for the Blue Raiders to make the next big step towards greatness.
To learn more about MTSU basketball, visit
For more information about Conference-USA Men’s Basketball, visit
http://conferenceusa.com/index.aspx?path=mbb
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