Trevecca Nazarene Trojans 0-0
MTSU Blue Raiders 1-0
New Season and New Faces for Coach Davis
MTSU Men’s Basketball has experienced more success in the last two seasons under head coach, Kermit Davis, then perhaps in program history. Their success has come in the form of back to back C-USA Tournament Championships, a regular season C-USA Championship, and most notably, first round wins in the NCAA Tournament each of the last two seasons.
Now, in coach Davis’ 16th season at the helm, he and his staff have to plan for life without Reggie Upshaw for the first time in four years. A player coach Davis credits with helping lift Blue Raider Basketball to where it’s been the past two seasons. And of course, no one player is going to replace what all Upshaw did on and off court, it will take a committee.
If Friday’s contest was any indication, the committee approach is exactly how coach Davis looks to attack losing such key contributors. As five fresh faced Blue Raiders took to the Murphy Center floor.
The new guys weren’t alone though, for familiar faces like, Simpson, Johnson and 2017’s C-USA MVP, Giddy Potts, were back in action.
A win today for the Raiders would count in record column, but the game was no more than a mere warm-up. And as expected, the Trojans were out-manned and gunned from the tip. Never really giving any resistance to coach Davis’ team.
The Blue Raiders handled their county neighbor, Trevecca, by the score of 104-52.
While it truly is a different looking roster name wise, talent wise, the Blue Raiders look loaded, athletic and poised. Coach Davis once again has his squad ready to make another run at the C-USA crown, and of course, another dancing partner in March.
Next game- November 13 @ Murray, KY against Murray State Racers.
Stats
POTTS, Giddy- 4-8 FG, 4-4 FT, 5 Rebs, 2 Asst, 15 Pts
JOHNSON, Antwain– 6-8 FG, 2-3 FT, 1 Reb, 3 Stls, 16 Pts
GAMBLE, Karl- 4-5 FG, 2-4 FT, 5 Reds, 2 Blks, 10 Pts
Oh yeah, those new faces…
KINGS, Nick- 6-9 FG, 5-7 FT, 6 Rebs, 1 Stl, 17 Pts
SIMMONS, David- 4-5 FG, 2 Rebs, 1 Stl, 8 Pts
SHELTON-SZMIDT, Therren- 2-9 FG, 2-8 FT, 5 Rebs, 6 Pts
