Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Clash with Southern Utah Thunderbirds at America First Event Center in Men's Basketball Showdown
As the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders gear up for their next challenge against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at the America First Event Center, fans are eager to see if their team can bounce back from a recent setback. The Blue Raiders' performance has been a rollercoaster ride this season, but there's reason to believe they could turn the tide in the upcoming game.
In their last outing on December 10th, MTU fell short against Belmont Bruins with a final score of 65-75. Despite this loss, there were positive takeaways for MTU. They managed to out-rebound Belmont by one and showed tenacity on defense with five blocks. However, shooting was an issue; they only hit 40 percent from the field and a concerning 61 percent from the free-throw line. Their three-point percentage stood at 30 percent – numbers that will need improvement if they hope to overcome SUU.
MTU's resilience was on full display earlier in December when they secured an overtime victory over Missouri State Bears on December 6th. With better ball control leading to fewer turnovers and an assist-to-turnover ratio of over two, MTU showcased what effective execution looks like under pressure.
However, consistency is key for MTU as evidenced by another overtime game against Wofford Terriers on December 3rd where they couldn't maintain their momentum and lost by ten points after being tied six times throughout the match.
The upcoming contest presents an opportunity for redemption for MTU as they face SUU away from home. The Blue Raiders will need to capitalize on their defensive strengths while improving shot selection and accuracy – especially beyond the arc and at the charity stripe.
The Southern Utah Thunderbirds will not make it easy; playing at home gives them an edge that MTU must be prepared to counteract through strategic plays and solid teamwork honed in previous games.
Fans should expect MTU to come into this game with something to prove – aiming not just for victory but also consistency that has eluded them so far this season. It’s time for players like those who have shown sparks of brilliance in past games to step up once again and lead by example both offensively and defensively.
Mark your calendars: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are scheduled to face off against Southern Utah Thunderbirds on December 22nd at 8:30 PM EST (7:30 PM CST) at America First Event Center located in Cedar City, UT. Fans can catch all of the action live via ESPN+ online broadcast network.