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at Sam Houston
4/5/2024 | 6:30 PM CT

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It's that time again. Had anticipated we'd have some news on the basketball front to talk about, but here we are.

As I'm sure that topic is number one on everyone's list, I have some other topics I plan to discuss (in no particular order):

1. New partnership with NIL collective, Raider Rising. Incorporating it with BRAA at any time? How does the middle class fan afford $1,000/yr membership along with BRAA and season ticket spending? Where should my priorities lie?

2. The $10.1mil CUSA distribution to MTSU. Why the large discrepancy compared to the other conference members (2nd highest distributions was $6.1m to WKU)?

3. Lady Raiders' ability to host in NCAAT. How does that bidding process work, and is it good for the game?

4. SAPC progress

5. New Taymar Sales partnership. How does their partnership intend to boost athletic-wide revenue?

6. "Transparency" comment from first interview. Seems to have drawn a lot of attention from the first go around.

7. Blue and White game upcoming.

Spring practice began at 6 am this morning for the team. A couple of storylines for spring right now...

• The people on the roster are the people on the team, I've been told. That means Wilson Kelly is not on the team. Also, Javon Nelson on the DL and Miles Tillman at punter are not there. Julius Pierce will need to use spring to get comfortable at center as Nic Vattiato was under center some today. One would assume Trey Turk will handle the punting duties full-time now.

• I think it would be fair to say around 85% of the team got bigger since last season. I was going to do something on notable ones, but it became a list of way too many people. Some super notable ones for me...
  • QB Nic Vattiato (196 --> 206), WR Javonte Sherman (189 --> 207), TE Jacob Coleman (228 --> 238), OT Ethan Ellis (295 --> 316), Julius Pierce (288 --> 297), DT Shakai Woods (270 --> 288), DT Felix Hixon (305 --> 326), DL James Stewart (248 --> 236), DL ZaBrien Harden (246 --> 230), DT Damonte Smith (284 --> 297), LB Parker Hughes (210 --> 220), S Brendon Harris (208 --> 218), S Marvae Myers (188 --> 200)

• On a position change note, former linebacker Slade Alexander will be at tight end now

• RB, WR, DL positional competitions will be important to see who steps up. RB more so for the future but what does Brian Brewton look like? At receiver, Gamarion Carter has looked as good as anyone in workouts. Who takes the other two spots next to Holden Willis? On the DL, everyone is unproven in starting roles or just in general so this spring will be HUGE for the trenches

• Speaking of trenches, how the JUCO OL do with Dumela Knox and Shamar Crawford will be big IMO

• QB, WR, LB have a lot of veteran bodies that could end up down the depth chart so could be something to watch in terms of portal when spring portal window opens

In depth piece here by @braden_mc5!

Click

https://www.ttusports.com/sports/bsb/2023-24/releases/20240401oh9yui

The 195th match-up since 1949 between the two programs, with the Blue Raiders owning a 124-68-2 lead

4/2/2024 | 6:00 p.m. CT

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$ talks and it is going to be the big boys and everyone else. The focus has been on that happening in football, but it'll happen in basketball too. Just give it time.

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I would welcome a change. I think all tournament games should be neutral sites. Even CM said if our game was anywhere but Baton Rouge we would've won, and I agree.

MTSU
Sifa Ineza, 5’11, G, Soph. (1.9 ppg)
Zahira Arizmendi Rubio, 5’8, G, Fr. (2.5 ppg)

Say goodbye to Learfield and hello to Van Wagner.

While it was nice to be part of Learfield, they obviously focus more on their big boys. IE Power schools.
VW focuses on G5 and lower schools. So that could be a plus with them understanding us. They have agreements with several MAC schools, Liberty, Temple, etc.
Looks like they will be managing coach's shows as well.


Here is an article on WMU and Kent regarding some of the $ involved.

If you vote no explain.

I know this is redundant to a thread in the Lady Raider Forum but don’t want my point of the comparison to CM’s handling our Men’s Basketball Coach situation to put any stench on our fine WBB Coaching staff.

The Vols fired their WBB Coach, Kellie Harper, after 5 years, 4 NCAA appearances (2nd round, Sweet 16, Sweet 16, 2nd Round, (108-52), (53-24).

They will pay her $1.1MM through 2027.

Meanwhile in Murfreesboro………..the Men’s Head Basketball Coach gets another free pass after 4 losing seasons in 6, no NCAA appearances and an overall record at MTSU of (82-105), (46-60).

We have crazy people running this show.

Middle Tennessee will be playing in ABC's Sunday NCAA double header.

South Carolina vs North Carolina: 12 pm

Middle Tennessee vs LSU: 2 pm

outside courts weather permitting

They had me for a second and then I remembered the date. LOL
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FIU
3/28/2024 | 6:00 PM CT

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Looks like booster/sponsor Jonathan McGuire, who owns the area McDonald's, has laid the foundation for a collective.

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3/28/2024 | 6:00 p.m. CT
ESPN+
Radio: GoBlueRaiders.com / Varsity Network App / WGNS 101.9 FM/1450 AM/100.5FM

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I guess we have to up our spending to compete at the G5 level. JMU spending is insane... https://herosports.com/fcs-football-top-teams-least-subsidized-bzbz/

Can't wait to see her back next year. She is already great, and she will be even better in October when the new season tips off!

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