NCAA Tournament Opening Round Game 2

Saint Mary's Gaels

MTSU Blue Raiders

VERSES

 

 

 

 

          The second game Tuesday features the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (28-5) taking on the Saint Mary's Gaels (27-6). The game is set to tip at 8:10 central time from Dayton.

           The Blue Raiders were sweating after their devastating loss to Florida International in the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Tournament. MTSU came into the tournament riding an 18-game winning streak, the longest in the country at the time, and were the top-ranked team in the tournament.

           They hadn't lost since January 3rd against Arkansas State and only had six games where their win was less than 10 points. Marcos Knight was the main star for the team leading the team with 12 and a half points per game and almost six rebounds per game.

           The Blue Raiders were watching intensly on Sunday night as the brackets were announced giving them an 11 seed. Everything fell right for them the days following that devastating loss. However, the Blue Raiders only have one big win and it was at home against Ole Miss Rebels in Novmeber. This is the Blue Raiders first NCAA Tournament appearance in 24 years.

            The Saint Mary's Gaels however finished 2nd in the West Coast Regular Season and Conference Tournament; they only lost their three conference games, including the tournament title game, to the Gonzaga Bulldogs, number one in the polls during the last week of the polls.

            They won 15 of their last 17 games only losing to Gonzaga during that span. The Gaels only had five single digit victories during that point in time. Matthew Dellavadova is their leading scorer averaging 16 points and six steals per game.

            Overall, the two teams match up fairly well on paper. Saint Mary's outscores MTSU by four per game, 75.5 to 71.2, but MTSU gives up five points less per game, 57.8 to 63.5. MTSU only played one ranked team this year and were crushed by Florida. Saint Mary's played Gonzaga three times and beat them once.
            The winner will take on the Memphis Tigers Thursday in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

            I think the Blue Raiders will have a tough challenge aganst the Gaels. I think the Gaels will win decisively 63 to 51.
          

            Tournament Appearances and records

             MTSU 7th appearance (2-6)

             Saint Mary's 8th appearance (3-7)