Will the Blue Raiders Outmaneuver the Gamecocks at Pete Mathews Coliseum?

As the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders prepare to face off against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, fans are eager to see if their team can carry forward their momentum and secure another victory. The upcoming clash at Pete Mathews Coliseum is poised to be a pivotal moment in the season for both teams.

The Blue Raiders have shown a mixed bag of performances recently. On December 23, they faced a tough loss against Southern Utah Thunderbirds with a close score of 63-69. Despite leading at halftime with 37 points compared to Southern Utah's 31, MTU couldn't maintain their advantage through the second half. Their field goal percentage was impressive at 51 percent and they dominated in points in paint with 46, but turnovers were an issue as they gave up possession 16 times.

Another game that stands out is their December 20 encounter with Saint Mary's Gaels where MTU struggled significantly, scoring only 34 points against Saint Mary's robust defense which led them to a defeat of 34-71. The Blue Raiders' shooting was off that night; they shot just 28 percent from the field and had an even lower three-point percentage of only 27.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom for MTU fans. On December 10, in front of a home crowd at Murphy Athletic Center, Middle Tennessee showed resilience and tactical prowess by overcoming Belmont Bruins with a scoreline of 65-75. They demonstrated strong defensive capabilities by blocking five shots and stealing six times from Belmont while also maintaining decent control over turnovers.

Looking ahead to their game against Jacksonville State Gamecocks, it’s crucial for MTU to tighten up on ball handling and maintain defensive pressure throughout both halves. The team needs to capitalize on its ability to score inside while also finding more consistency beyond the arc if they want to keep pace with JVST's likely offensive strategies.

The Gamecocks will certainly pose challenges; however, based on recent performances and statistics analysis – particularly considering MTU’s high two-point shooting percentage – there is reason for optimism among Middle Tennessee supporters.

Fans should mark their calendars for February 22nd when these two teams will battle it out under Jacksonville lights starting at midnight Eastern Time (ET). This encounter promises excitement and can be streamed live on ESPN+, ensuring supporters won’t miss any action from this anticipated matchup.