BASKETBALL NCAA Tournament: Middle Tennessee vs Michigan State (CBS), 1:45PM, Friday, 3/18/2016

[SpaceRaider]

GAME INFORMATION
Game Notes: Middle Tennessee, Michigan State

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Twitter: MT_MBB
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Facebook: Blue Raider Athletics

Date: Friday, March 18, 2016
Time: 1:45 p.m.
Teams: Middle Tennessee (24-9, 13-5) vs. Michigan State (29-5, 13-5)
Location: St. Louis, MO
Arena: Scottrade Center (19,150)
Television CBS (Brian Anderson, Steve Smith, Dana Jacobson)
Radio: WGNS (1450/100.5/101.9), WPRT (97.5/102.5), WMOT (89.5)
Play-by-Play: Chip Walters
Analysis: Kyle Turnham

 

[SpaceRaider]

excerpt:

...The 2nd seeded Michigan State Spartans will face off against the 15th seeded Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Michigan State Spartans had a tremendous season finishing with a 29-5 record and are coming off of a Big Ten Championship. The Michigan State Spartans average 80.2 points per game and shoot 43.5% from the 3-point line. The Spartans have been led by player of the year candidate Denzel Valentine who is averaging 19.6 points per game and 7.5 rebounds with 7.6 assists. Bryn Forbes is second on the team with 14.6 points per game and 2.2 rebounds.

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders had a great end to their season winning their last 6 games and winning the Conference USA Championship. Middle Tennessee averages 72.7 points per game and shoots 38% from the 3-point line. The Blue Raiders have been led by Giddy Potts who is averaging 15.0 points per game and 5.5 rebounds. Reggie Upshaw is second on the team with 13.8 points per game and 8.7 rebounds.

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are 4-0 against the spread in their last 4 neutral site games. The Blue Raiders are 5-1 against the spread in their last 6 games overall. Michigan State is 5-1 against the spread in their last 6 Friday games. The Spartans are12-2 against the spread in their last 14 games overall.

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders overcame alot to get into this tournament and they should embrace it while it lasts because they will be going up against one of the top teams in the nation.....

 

[SpaceRaider]

dnj:

MT men depart for NCAA Tournament

 

[SpaceRaider]

msuspartans.com:

Spartans Open NCAA Tournament Vs. Middle Tennessee

 

[SpaceRaider]

dnj:

MT's plan to counter Michigan State's Valentine

 

[SpaceRaider]

 

[SpaceRaider]

Lansing State Journal:

NCAA tournament tipoff: MSU vs. Middle Tennessee

 

[SpaceRaider]

Spartans a heavy, heavy favorite

 

[SpaceRaider]

DNJ:

MT searching for Cinderella moment

MT's upset bid could hinge on Harris' play

Davis: Technology advances have changed the game

MT men's NCAA Tournament capsule

 

[altshauf]

Sorry,
Just don't see any way for us to win this one. If we are less than 15, then it would be a win in my opinion. We have to remember the important thing. Perception is huge for potential recruits in the near future. If we come out and compete, and get the crowd behind us then you may have some guys leaning this way. We are going to rely heavily in 4 guys - Upshaw, Potts, Harris, and Buford. They will all need to have outstanding games in order for us to even be remotely close.

 

[MTLynn]

I'm reminded of Troy. For years they lived and died by the three. If Troy was on they could run anyone out of the gym.

If our guys are able to hit a ton of 3's then MT can win. I expect MSU to be plastered on Giddy so Raymond and Harris need to have big games for MT to have a chance.

 

[SpaceRaider]

goblueraiders.com:

QUOTES FROM THURSDAY'S NCAA PRESS CONFERENCE

 

[SpaceRaider]

 

[MightyRaider]

It's game day and there is no chatter on the board? Go Blue

 

[SpaceRaider]

Also a work day.

 

[volguy23]

GBR

 

[MTBig Blue]

We couldn't ask for a better start than this!

 

[blueraiderJT]

15-2!!!! What a start!

 

[RaiderDawg78]

There is ZERO chance we can keep this pace up, but no matter how the game goes from here....that is literally the best I have ever seen MT play. They are unconscious.

 

[blueraiderJT]

Yup! Dayton and Vandy came out flat. At least we are "Always Reppin!"

 

[SpaceRaider]

10:53

20-10

go blue!

 

[C-Bow]

Spartans showing the poise you'd expect them to have. 23-20 MT at about the 8-minute mark.

 

[C-Bow]

35-29 MT.

Upshaw hot from downtown...Almost hit 3 straight but the third somehow didn't go down.

Regardless of how this game finishes...holy hell man.

 

[RaiderDawg78]

Barkley is turrible in this halftime show. He keeps saying MT hits 3 or 4 three's per game literally 10 seconds after Ernie said we avg. 8 per game.

 

[RaiderDawg78]

BTW...it is nice to "Middle Tennessee" as the #1 trending topic on twitter right now.

 

[subkyle]

Barkley is turrible in this halftime show. He keeps saying MT hits 3 or 4 three's per game literally 10 seconds after Ernie said we avg. 8 per game.

Yes!!!!! Be somewhat informed because you look stupid

 

[subkyle]

35-29 MT.

Upshaw hot from downtown...Almost hit 3 straight but the third somehow didn't go down.

Regardless of how this game finishes...holy hell man.

Im thinking we make a few adjustments expecting them to creep up on D.

 

[sWiley]

yeah they're gonna start pressing us pretty soon

 

[sWiley]

for those who care, the second half line is MT +12 - Vegas predicting a 6 point Sparty win

 

[SpaceRaider]

 

[C-Bow]

Just about a perfectly executed gameplan.

Kermit knows MSU is going to make a run though.

We'll see how this all shakes out!!

 

[SpaceRaider]

15:24

51-43

 

[SpaceRaider]

11:15

62-53

 

[HenryMuto]

Amazing you guys were just 5% chance to win the game to start but were up to 61% chance when you led 62-59. Right now they give you a 41% chance up 67-64. This would be one of the biggest shockers of all time as many picked Michigan State to win it all. Good luck guys take this one home!

http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2016-march-madness-predictions/

 

[SpaceRaider]

3:34

77-74

C'mon Raiders hang in there.

 

[C-Bow]

I'm hiding in my office at work...this is just crazy.

 

[sWiley]

is this seriously going to happen

 

[RaiderDawg78]

Simply Amazing.......

 

[sWiley]

unreal

 

[SpaceRaider]

Bawling like a baby...

The joy, unspeakable