BASKETBALL ORV:

[SpaceRaider]

• Others receiving votes: Florida 44, Wichita St 33, Virginia Tech 32, Maryland 31, Valparaiso 9, TCU 8, Middle Tennessee 7, Miami 6, Minnesota 6, Kansas State 4, UCF 2, Syracuse 2, Ohio State 2, Pittsburgh 2, Michigan State 2, Iowa State 1, Clemson 1, Loyola (CHI) 1

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/year/2017/poll/1

 

[SpaceRaider]

This will fire up the teams we are facing this week. Will be interesting to see how our guys react to the target on their backs...

 

[MTOleBlue]

Will we come out hot again against Belmont? Can the team feed off the energy in the Blue Raider crowd that is coming to the game?

 

[SpaceRaider]

Realistically, think we have to win our next three to crack rankings; we're #32 in AP/#38 in coaches. See it coming week after Christmas, if we win them all through Georgia State. Just in time for C-USA play against UAB at New Years 2017 (hopefully around 19-22 range!)

yeah, but if we lose just one of the next several we won't see the AP poll again this year ...

 

[SpaceRaider]

here's what the UAB blogger said in his recent post:

"...The planets have aligned in Murfreesboro. I had my doubts leading into the season that the Blue Raiders would be this good this quickly after Buford, Harris, and Raymond all graduated. Those doubts are gone and MTSU is a week away from being ranked in the AP top 25 if they can win on the road at Belmont and VCU....."

 

[SpaceRaider]

Tennessean, Mike Organ column:
http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/2016/12/12/mtsu-rpi-receiving-votes/95333978/
Midstate hoops: Middle Tennessee on a roll

 

[SpaceRaider]

Nashville Post:
http://www.nashvillepost.com/sports.../basketball-polls-take-notice-of-blue-raiders
Basketball polls take notice of Blue Raiders