LADY RAIDER BB WBIT, 1st round: Middle Tennessee (26-8, 10-5) @ Belmont (22-12, 10-3) (ESPN+), 6:30PM, Thursday, March 20, 2025

[MTOleBlue]

Doubt we even make post season next year

I think we'll be good enough player-wise to make postseason but it depends on who is coach. If it's Rick... I would be very concerned. The college basketball world has passed him by. We've all seen it this year. He's had his time and it has now passed.

We went 8 MINUTES -- yes, EIGHT (8:19 actually) -- without scoring in the 2nd quarter. That is absolutely unacceptable. I don't care if Dawn Staley is our coach. That should never happen.

 

[MTTim]

Doubt we even make post season next year

Unless the freshman come in and light it up we will be lucky to be .500.

 

[Hop45]

Decent teams no longer fear the Lady Raiders. The dynasty is over. Good recruiting class coming in, but they are going to need time to grow.

 

[SpaceRaider]

I'm old enough to remember when Belmont's best player transferred to Middle Tennessee

 

[MTOleBlue]

I get the fatalistic view but our player skill level and size is still going to be significantly higher than most other teams in CUSA. Yes, we may not beat UT at home next year but I think it's reasonable to expect 20+ wins again.

 

[SpaceRaider]

I think it's reasonable to expect 20+ wins again.

I'd take the under on that

 

[tyler90wm]

I get the fatalistic view but our player skill level and size is still going to be significantly higher than most other teams in CUSA. Yes, we may not beat UT at home next year but I think it's reasonable to expect 20+ wins again.

This is where I'm at as far as expectations for next year. I would put Liberty and maybe newcomer Missouri St ahead of us preseason.

 

[MTTim]

I get the fatalistic view but our player skill level and size is still going to be significantly higher than most other teams in CUSA. Yes, we may not beat UT at home next year but I think it's reasonable to expect 20+ wins again.

The little time the bench has played this year they have not been productive at all. We are in trouble if our new recruts dont contribute immediately. Belmonts bench increased their lead in the second quarter.

 

[MidTennMtneer]

I hate the way the season ended, especially for our seniors. And yes we want more than one and done, but at the same time that is where we are. One and done isn't good enough.

There are plenty of other schools who would absolutely kill for 18 of the last 20 years to be 20+ wins, averaging a conference champ every other year, with every single season making the NCAA, WNIT, or now WBIT.

That's what makes losses like this so tough. We've come so far ahead of other schools but it is like we can't get over that hump.

 

[MTTim]

This is where I'm at as far as expectations for next year. I would put Liberty and maybe newcomer Missouri St ahead of us preseason.

If i remember correctly, Jax State returns all their starters. I would place them ahead of MT as well.

 

[MTOleBlue]

The little time the bench has played this year they have not been productive at all. We are in trouble if our new recruts dont contribute immediately. Belmonts bench increased their lead in the second quarter.

I mean, how is the bench supposed to be productive if they never get game experience? Of course bench players are going to look rough if they literally never get in-game reps. Our bench and new recruits can and will contribute if they are played. That is the really poor coaching decision that has bit Insell so many times in the past, if the starters get into trouble -- we are screwed.

 

[MTFAN61]

If Rick does retire my only concern for Matt would be if his overall philosophy would be identical to that of his father. I'm sick & tired of 5 players only being on the floor for 36-40 minutes per game.
Also, Last year our conditioning was phenomenal. Not sure to what degree the new conditioning staff played a role in MT's demise towards the end.

 

[MTOleBlue]

If Rick does retire my only concern for Matt would be if his overall philosophy would be identical to that of his father. I'm sick & tired of 5 players only being on the floor for 36-40 minutes per game.
Also, Last year our conditioning was phenomenal. Not sure to what degree the new conditioning staff played a role in MT's demise towards the end.

Looking back at ESPN box scores from Matt's time at Ole Miss, he played multiple bench players for at least 10 minutes every night and typically used at least 5 off the bench. Some of those players played 20+ per game on average, which would be a nice change from the measly time we see our bench used now. Assuming his mindset hasn't changed all that much, we'd see a major shift in bench usage if he takes over. I would imagine our bench becomes a key part of in-game play.

And conditioning in my view can only do so much when what you're doing is not working. This is again the issue with Rick - very resistant to change... Instead of subbing as needed and trying new offensive sets, we do the same thing over and over even if it has not worked at all. Then the adjustments he makes happen with 2 minutes left in the game and us down 20. They work but it's too late. Same story every time.

 

[blueboro007]

Glad I forgot about the game. This team never had chemistry regardless of record. Not sure of any dissension on the team but if I am one of the good players who sat on the bench all year I am looking at options

 

[SpaceRaider]

Blue Raiders Fall in the First Round of the WBIT to Belmont 64-51 - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Blue Raiders traveled up the road for the first round of the WBIT, facing a familiar mid-state opponent in Belmont, with the Bruins taking

goblueraiders.com

 

[Scomo64]

If Savannah Davis And Jada Harrison, instead of Arike And Blakely, had have started since game 1, we would have a much better offense at the end of the season. The defense thing is just an excuse. Ta'Mia Scott is not a good defensive player and she never leaves the game.

 

[coachchia]

I hear there are troubles between foreign and US players....

 

[blue rai]

Well if that’s the case then that situation can be easily remedied……

 

[MTOleBlue]

I guess we'll have to see about any potential transfers happening this offseason.

 

[blueboro007]

If these girls sitting on the bench are as talented as we were told, I would have my radar on looking for a coach who might actually put me in a game occasionally.

 

[MTOleBlue]

If these girls sitting on the bench are as talented as we were told, I would have my radar on looking for a coach who might actually put me in a game occasionally.

I think it really all depends on if Rick retires after this year. Matt has in his past HC time shown he uses the bench a lot, if he ends up getting the job. Rick doesn’t, simple as that

 

[MTOleBlue]

Belmont heading to Indianapolis, they're up on the road at James Madison 71-31 at the end of 3Q (yes, up by 40).

 

[tyler90wm]

Belmont heading to Indianapolis, they're up on the road at James Madison 71-31 at the end of 3Q (yes, up by 40).

I was really interested into this matchup and watched a decent chunk of the 1st half. JMU has a pretty good WBB program and was solid this year, so this beat down was very surprising, especially at JMU. Congrats to Belmont and hope they pull this one out as they're the only mid-major left in the WBIT I think