Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Record: 24-9 (13-5 Conference USA)
Head Coach: Kermit Davis (14th Year)
Season Recap: The Blue Raiders put in a strong year in Conference USA, finishing second in the regular season and winning their conference tournament to earn an automatic NCAA tournament bid. Davis' squad is undefeated in neutral-site games, and undefeated on less than three days of rest but lives and dies by the 3-point shot, and has a tendency to put opponents on the charity stripe.
With four members of the starting five averaging better than 10 points per game, Davis' squad is tested but cannot seem to beat tougher opponents, losing the season series to the Conference USA regular-season champion Alabama-Birmingham.
How they make a run: Team defense shuts down second-seeded Michigan State and Davis and his experience take over as the underdog Blue Raiders manage their offense well enough to shock the Spartans.
How they falter: Middle Tennessee cannot keep up on defense without fouling against the balance of Michigan State, and the Blue Raiders cannot keep up with Denzel Valentine and company for 40 minutes.
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