Episode 14 feat. Oliver Baltz

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[00:00:50] I'm really excited about today's episode because for multiple reasons, is finally March madness for our Us Blue Raider fans. A conference USA tournament is rolling and we begin tonight actually with the play in games. Thanks for the game.

[00:01:11] In TSU is on a part of either one of those contests but to discuss the upcoming action in conference USA as well as the minst basketball site. Joining me today is Go Middle contributor and Raider Oliver Baltz, the Fall Nower, the All Ball Nower that is Oliver Baltz.

[00:01:27] How's it going man? It's going great, Jake. Thanks for having me on it. It truly is the most wonderful time of year until you're 370 teams get eliminated and you're upset because basketball's all done. Just like that snap of the fingers, but it's fun. I'm looking forward to it.

[00:01:47] It should be a great march. Absolutely. And a couple weeks ago we were kind of, I say weeks ago probably more like a month or so ago was doom and gloom about what was going on with the issue.

[00:01:57] But a lot's happened in the last couple of weeks and I know that we've discussed a lot in our own group chats with the Go Middle guys and stuff like that about what's been going on. But what's kind of your take as far as the recent turnaround?

[00:02:08] I know you've got a lot to say about it, but what are some things that you think have been key and crucial to that turnaround?

[00:02:15] Yeah. So I think, you know, I mean, we talked about that at Nauseum when they were struggling, but I think they are finally having some success at least scoring the basketball and shooting it.

[00:02:25] They've been making their free throws most importantly. I want to say they're, yeah, they're top three and conference only free throw percentage, which is a 180 degree switch from where it was.

[00:02:37] The 3. shooting still come and go, but at least you have some guys that can make it that that have to be guarded.

[00:02:46] It's one thing just to shoot it, not make it and everybody just left you alone in the 4's not space, but when you have to go out there in guard a Jared Coleman Jones or in Elias King or a Jalen Jordan or a a trade green.

[00:03:03] That just makes all the difference. Even if they're not hitting that's going to spread out your offense, you're going to be able to run off and score the ball and a lot more first tile natural ways.

[00:03:13] That's a big part of it. Justin Porter's emergence, we're seeing a different animal from him in conference play the 41 point explosion he had and that double OT win and you know he came out today made second team all conference.

[00:03:31] He's been a superstar for the Blue Redders no doubt. And I think they would just as he always had that sort of pedigree at his jukego at Tyler Community College.

[00:03:44] I want to say his first year there you was top 10 in JCA and points per game and volume scoring. So he's always kind of had that in this bag, but it's just taking a little bit for him to learn how to make it work in at this, this you know D1 of college basketball level, but it's finally there. It's been a lot of fun to watch for sure.

[00:04:08] In our original episode going into conference play we talked a lot about the capabilities of Justin Porter and what it's going to take for him to issue to kind of utilize his strengths.

[00:04:17] And on last week's episode I was able to discuss with Coach McDevitt about the evolution of Justin Porter where he is definitely a two always been a two the guy that you saw Tyler Community College was a two and he still has you know that shooting got tenancies now.

[00:04:32] He's not really a past first, but he's kind of haven't he's had to evolve into that and same with a lot of the teams that we play they're going to have to adjust to his playing style. We can see after the 40 point game we go on the road to Jacksonville State and he got to get's keyed in on it. I don't think he gets up more than 12 shots in that game. So it certainly is a guy that can make her break into issue especially down the stretch. I look at him a lot like a Josh Jefferson type of situation where when he's clicking on all cylinders, we're able to get him the ball and he's able to score this.

[00:05:01] I think we have the ability to make a run in this tournament. It's really tough considering we're going to play Louisiana Tech right out of the gate and that matchup is going to be tomorrow that APM and Huntsville for the Blueator fans that haven't already bought the tickets.

[00:05:14] It was an yesterday that our allotment has sold out for all sessions, but doesn't mean you can't still buy your single sessions there in Huntsville or online at ticketmaster.com.

[00:05:21] Now that I got that plug out of the way, it's going to be a tricky matchup because you've lost in this team twice and for the most part they were close in the grand scheme of things.

[00:05:31] You lose the first one by 11 or 12 and you lose the last one by 14.

[00:05:35] So Louisiana Tech in my opinion is the best team in the conference. I've yet to be sold on Sam Houston State and we'll talk about that a little bit here as we go through the other side at the bracket.

[00:05:45] But Louisiana Tech is the most well-rounded team. I think they have the best without a doubt. They have the best front court with Vacho and player the year, Steven's a player of the year Isaiah Crawford.

[00:05:56] So there are tough matchup for us because of the size that we lack but for the most part in the matchup this last Saturday, I thought we hung pretty well with them.

[00:06:05] The big thing was I thought the threes just weren't falling. The offense was better than we've seen it and I made the note that prior to the game on Saturday, we were 10 and 0 in games where we score 69 points.

[00:06:18] So we scored 70 is the first loss and it's kind of hard to believe that we've that that's not even exists considering how bad the season has been but it is a testament to how good the defense is.

[00:06:28] And as we kind of look at the matchup and what it's going to take to win this, one of the things that I have marked off is you've got to be able to contain Crawford in Bacho because those are the guys that hurt you.

[00:06:37] When you look back at the stats from those games they are responsible for 50% of the points and 50% of the rebounds. So if you're able to even just limit one of the two Crawford especially because he can score it all three levels. If you're able to keep keeping within 10, 12 points don't let the game get out of hand.

[00:06:56] For someone else to be to you much like Bacho who Bacho we saw Miss plenty of bunnies on Saturday. I don't consider him much of a threat from scoring, but he's pretty deadly from two feet, but you can see what you're able to get a hand in his face. It's very difficult for him to score.

[00:07:10] But I toss this over to you as far as some other keys, but I think the main thing is just trying to contain the scoring threat of Bacho and Crawford and just for someone else to try to beat you.

[00:07:21] First off I agree with you Louisiana Tech's my favorite other conferences. Well if I had to pick a team to represent Comfort USA and then see the way it turned out they would probably be my pick.

[00:07:32] That's that I think you bring up a good stat about middle. You said they were undefeated when they scored 69 and they finally scored 70 didn't win Louisiana Tech. This was only the first time in regulation that their opponent scored 70 and they won.

[00:07:49] I'm sorry the second time that they're a opponent scored 70 and they won. They have one over time when where their opponent scored 70.

[00:07:59] All that said to say, Louisiana Tech's a really good defensive team. The fact that middle was able to have success on the road, which it's well documented that they've struggled on the, that they continually struggle on the road.

[00:08:13] We're able to score 70 points in that game. I think that that says a decent amount. If you look at the head to head stats, there's really not much that favors.

[00:08:24] MTSU as far as the matchups. I mean Louisiana Tech is first in defensive effective field goal percentage within the conference. MTSU is the second to worst MTSU has the worst turnover percentage with the ball and Louisiana Tech is third in defensive turnover percentage.

[00:08:46] Two point percentage defense Louisiana Tech's first two point percentage offense MTSU is last. So there's really not much I think statistically that when make you favor MTSU and you're just kind of looking at the numbers head to head, but I don't know.

[00:09:03] I think the fact that they didn't play to the way they played a Saturday, I don't think they have anything to hang their head on.

[00:09:11] And I think you can take that as a, I guess the silver lining considering like I said how they have struggled or how they have they've let in games really escape them on the road this year.

[00:09:26] I think when you consider that, when you consider that Louisiana Tech might have this idea that oh we just beat them so it might not be that hard of a game since we just won. We just beat them by double digits. So this game won't be that hard. Obviously where this is the first year that it's going to be in Huntsville. That's probably a very big deal for MTSU or at least the fans will see how that translates.

[00:09:56] This year that MTSU hasn't been that good on neutral court. They went one in two and they're a multi team event but in years past they've done pretty well in their multi team events.

[00:10:09] Last two years I've written about it at Nazium that they did pretty well at the that conference USA tournament when it was in frisco so I don't know even though the stats aren't there I do think that there are some things that MTSU.

[00:10:27] I think that's the way to do it. I think it's interesting how well he seems to do in those multi team events where this short turnaround very tournament like atmosphere.

[00:10:43] Again there's something to be said about playing a team for a third time this season and as I'll preview with the Lady Raiders later it's tough to beat teams three times and again winning by double digits both times again from Louisiana Tech's perspective you have to think this is certainly an oversight. This could be a trip up for them it could be a game that they're looking forward to the new Mexico State Western matchup potentially the semis but as we've said one thing that Nick always seems to do especially the last two years arguably well not really arguably the worse two best seasons as long as he's been here.

[00:11:13] But he makes a semis and he's made it interesting and he had the unfortunate draw of playing the team that makes it out of the tournament every time so in our eyes.

[00:11:23] On paper at least it looks like you're playing your championship game in the semis every single year and I wouldn't make the argument that you probably playing your championship game right now on Wednesday night against Louisiana Tech so there's a lot to be said about that so you lose that game.

[00:11:37] I don't necessarily hang my head. I'd like to see a competitive like he's done in the past but I do think there is something again about being a third game and it being a Huntsville because for the most part it's going to be a home home crowd

[00:11:49] I don't imagine too many from Ruston are gonna be traveling. It's not like both their men and women's programs are elite to be worth a travel to Huntsville from Ruston, but I could be wrong

[00:11:59] but I would say that the biggest contingency offense is going to be from Murphy'sboro, they're going to be Blue Raider fans and also two. You've got the Lady Raiders playing that same day so you're going to have fans that are in Huntsville

[00:12:12] They're going to stay in Huntsville for the day. They're going to be able to sit around hopefully they'll sit around. It's a late start for Blue Raider fans. I want to get back to Murphy'sboro

[00:12:18] It means a lot. I know his Nick already touched on to have people there but Masara fought really hard. Tooth the nail as he put it to get the tournament to Huntsville and for all intents of purposes I hope it pays off for him

[00:12:32] I don't want to settle for the one when Blue is going to take for us that may be super bowl and as we've, as it's been rumored

[00:12:39] It could be potentially saving a guy's career right now, but that's not really the topic I want to touch on right now But I do want to say that you win that game so what? At this point we all know that Comfort 2 is a one big lead

[00:12:51] So I want to look forward to this is a once a week podcast. I want to look forward to that same final potential matchup with Western and New Mexico State

[00:12:58] When we look at that game, you split with both of them New Mexico State, all in the road was one that you kind of had one taken out from underneath your nose

[00:13:06] I will say that was also early in the year when things were not necessarily going our way, but New Mexico State doesn't really impress me

[00:13:12] They have a big man down low who has quite the temper for evidently collectively New Mexico State has quite the temper having a player ejected for their punch early in the year

[00:13:21] And then you got the Western Kentucky matchup potential 3 7 matchup there and the semis and that place would be a electric on Thursday or on Friday night If that would be a good place, I do think Western is the obvious favorite having despite them splitting the season series

[00:13:37] The home team winning both of those but Western nearly lost in lost cruises 72 to 70 earlier in the season But if you had to pick a matchup to play, I think the obvious choice is New Mexico State

[00:13:49] They're the worst offensive team outside of MTSU. Our defense has been playing better down the stretch New Mexico State has lost six of their last eight

[00:13:57] There are a team that's turning downward and when you look at stuff like that, it just it really kind of it upsets you And I'm sure you can speak to this how a team like New Mexico State who had the blow up last year

[00:14:08] And they somehow finished a spot ahead of us in the standing this year But they are trending down and we're trending up so I had to pick a matchup to Mexico State

[00:14:16] Probably benefit as the most but I'd be you know, I have to say that Western matchup would be really intriguing to see what could potentially come out of that Yeah definitely I think I think you hit the nail on the head

[00:14:28] I think New Mexico State is the less talented ball club I think they're the team that you do prefer to play And it's more chenetink and happen just like anything can happen with the MTSU lot tag game

[00:14:43] New Mexico State being Western Kentucky would be very far from the craziest thing that's ever happened Even in the conference USA tournament I will say with Western Kentucky just the rivalry I think is it's a factor

[00:14:59] I think when it's a rivalry game you can kind of throw train stats matchups out the window and in parody kind of just overcomes everything As I followed college basketball, I've just kind of seen that trend across multiple rivalries I think that would definitely happen

[00:15:20] But yeah, I mean with Western Kentucky it's a little bit more concerning considering they are one of those Those blowout losses on the road that I kind of discussed earlier I mentioned earlier

[00:15:35] It was a close game if I remember correctly after I was only a one or two point game and then Western just took them to the shed on in the second half And in the second game I think it was only a two point win

[00:15:51] It felt like it was more than that but still probably a closer margin than what the new Mexico State game ended up being Obviously the New Mexico State away game was more competitively in the Western Kentucky away game

[00:16:09] So yeah, I mean all that considered I do think you want New Mexico State but you know if you beat Louisiana attack You all the all those momentum that you generated over the last you know month or so It's it's concrete. It's undividible, you know

[00:16:27] It's you can there's no more argument that the blue Raiders are a hot team they just knocked off Louisiana attack So if they can't if they can knock off Louisiana attack why can they knock off Western and then the other thing I kind of like

[00:16:39] If middle pulls off the improbable in beats this year's conference or the the bracket format it has The MTSU law tech plan Wednesday night and then if I remember correctly the Western Kentucky New Mexico State game is Thursday night

[00:16:58] So those two winners of each game won't play till Friday giving MTSU an extra day's rest In you might be more filled into that than I am so please correct me if I'm wrong But that that would be a built in advantage for sure

[00:17:12] You're absolutely right. Yeah, the you get a day rest given that the ones and twos will get that extra day That's kind of the intended that's the out of benefit of getting the one to see the side from getting the plan for the one seed

[00:17:22] But they also get the extra day. So you could be the benefactor that with the upset absolutely and I When we talk about that there's so many things that like you get you excited But I want to say like as you said it's it is improbable

[00:17:34] I mean we're the two versus seven I think Louisiana tech is by far in a way the best team in this conference But you know you're there you get an opportunity to play and as we've as you touched on its march anything could happen

[00:17:46] And you know for the most part it might even say MTSU's do that, you know they lose that triple overtime game to UAB Which is just heartbreaking the more you think about it and then you lose to FAU last year

[00:17:58] I the Andre we were a layup away from the Andre dishman from knocking off a final 14 who knew that was going to happen But and that probably never happens. So if you win that game last year So anything can happen you're there you get the opportunity

[00:18:13] But outside of that you know we talk about the other side of the bracket the one seed there is you got Sam Houston state And then they just kind of have a cluster of other player of other teams like Liberty, Utah, Jacksonville State FAU

[00:18:25] Well I look at that other side of the bracket Sam Houston State yes they did sweep the season series with Louisiana tech I do find it hard to believe considering I just when I watch Sam Houston State they are well rounded and Chris Mudge well

[00:18:37] deserve player or coach of the year for the Bearcats I thought he put together a great squad Did they definitely took the conference by surprise

[00:18:44] I don't remember where they were in the preseason pole but they definitely weren't I don't think they were in the top half of that pole So they took the conference by storm led by Lamar Wilkerson who is on the first team

[00:18:54] They're a great ball club. They're well rounded and one thing that makes them special And I think a lot of correlations could be made to the lady Raiders is the fact that it could be anyone on any given night

[00:19:04] We know that Lamar Wilkerson won the game single handedly here in Murphy'sboro but they're on the road Has seemed like anyone was capable of hitting a three-pointer so when we look at that other side of the bracket there

[00:19:15] You know you've got like I said Sam Houston state they're gonna play the play in game Are they're gonna play the winner or the play in game on Wednesday night prior to our matchup

[00:19:22] And then the other matchup is the four five with Liberty and Utah Liberty is a headscratcher to say the least They beat both the top teams Liberty and Louisiana Tech this season. I mean they absolutely walled us on the road

[00:19:34] And I think you know when I talked to Nick there was some I hate to say excuse but the reality is as we had a few guys sick in that preparation And it showed we were able to win pretty handedly this last week

[00:19:43] I felt comfortable with what the how we played with Liberty But the one thing that if you watch that game in Murphy'sboro is that team lives and dies by the three and if I've learned anything about March madness

[00:19:52] That's all it takes sometimes you can get hot for three games and you could run away with it and Liberty as I said they beat Sam Houston They beat Louisiana Tech they have the opportunity to get hot and come out of that top side of that bracket

[00:20:05] So it's not Sam Houston state if I was a gamblin man, and I wanted to play with some money here I think I'd put some money on Liberty as a team that is very capable of winning the conference and representing

[00:20:16] Conference USA in March madness and I'm going to rest at a see I think again the consensus Sam Houston's going to run through that top half But as I've said Liberty they want to be game against Western this last week and they looked really good in that matchup

[00:20:28] They had a hiccup and Murphy'sboro some might look at it I just think we were the better ball team that night and again Liberty wasn't hitting the three ball

[00:20:35] And that's kind of what their season has hung in the balance on all year if they're hitting the three they're probably the best team in the conference So Oliver you know what are your two cents in regards to the capabilities of that top half

[00:20:46] So I do agree I think that Sam Houston is it's a great story I think that you know they earn the one seed everybody plays each other once and there's not much variance to that So it's hard to say they don't deserve it. I do agree that

[00:21:04] They might be a A lesser intimidating once he then maybe we've had in your spas as I want to disrespect them, but I do they don't scare me like a FAU or a UAB or whoever in years past I With Liberty managed interesting so I

[00:21:26] They're kind of a black sheep in conference USA and respect how they build their roster You know there have a bunch of very skilled guys like you said they shoot the ball They put a lot of emphasis on it. That one was at top

[00:21:39] Three point attempts to overall field gold per attempt ratios in the country In conference USA is almost like a diet SEC and the respect that's just loaded with athletes Scrappy players players that want to you know get steals create transition Opportunity stuff like that so

[00:22:02] I kind of figured coming from the the A son to conference USA There might be a little bit of a of a curve for Liberty to get used to that style I didn't think the curve would be this steep for them

[00:22:16] But you know we'll see that they moved through their their non-conference like it was nothing So it was very interesting the fact that they stumbled as hard as they did once lead play started

[00:22:28] I guess what makes me nervous about your prediction that they could kind of get high Potentially get knock off some teens get some upsets and get that USA bid Is how they've been playing recently. I remember that they played youth up right before they played the blue raiders

[00:22:46] And they got demolished and that one was in Virginia You know the like you said the blue raiders win over the the game against the blue raiders in which the blue raiders won Was was still probably not as competitive as the eight point margin indicates

[00:23:06] They were up double digits for much of the second half and now one and you know I didn't want to their their finale against Western Kentucky. I did kind of expect the trend to continue and they would keep stumbling

[00:23:18] But I mean that's a big win against Western Kentucky So hats off to them maybe that they are that was a win that they needed to start some momentum But I mean like you said it's about shot making it's about guard play

[00:23:31] They certainly have those aspects of a team so Really nothing would surprise me the league is so close. I mean we saw it on that final Saturday how many Everybody has the same record everybody has the same tie breakers because everybody's beat and everybody

[00:23:48] So it's you know the the conferences wide open and that really again That should really reinforce faith optimism for blue raider fans that this is a This can be done

[00:24:01] Just to kind of go back to it a little bit. I think that you know, you make great points about how they have this experience against you A being against FAU and how close those games were to be in one

[00:24:15] And I think that it says a lot that it's a lot of the same players You know Justin was there last year a lot of some viewford and Jared Coleman Jones were there two for the last two years

[00:24:28] Jalen Jordan was on the bench. You know recovering from injured injury, but you know he was there and he wants it just as bad If not worse probably so I think that continuity will really really help them And that game on Wednesday night and hopefully be on

[00:24:45] Now be short and sweet with my prediction on it I mean I think I'll say this as an optimist in the Raider fans I think this is they want I think the team that wins the conference USA tournament will win the winner of the

[00:24:58] AP and matchup on Wednesday. They're going to win the conference USA tournament I truly believe that and I'm not going to say names, but that's just my prediction So all the other all thoughts it over you. What do you kind of expect this on your day?

[00:25:08] Jake, you know, I mean I'm I'm really not I don't like to be a homer there's a lot of times that This season has disappointed me. It's been tough to be a fan this year

[00:25:19] But I'm almost right there with him in I just think I believe in Louisiana tech I think if they I think MTSU will be their toughest game. I think that if because if they're

[00:25:32] If they lose them TSU it's because probably that they took their food off the gas They weren't is motivated or they were sleeping or whatever and that's not to take any disrespect

[00:25:44] That's not to disrespect them TSU at all but Louisiana tech is I think they've earned the title Is the more the favorite the deserved favorite in this and I think as long as their focus They're the best team in the conference, but you know, in TSU

[00:26:01] I agree with you man I just there's nobody in this conference that really scares me more than Louisiana tech So if they be losing an attack I don't see why they can't take it to step further in beating

[00:26:15] You know, Western Kentucky or New Mexico state or you know a liberty or a Sam Houston or a U-TEP Two games later or yeah one game later So I'm right there with you man I it's a bold prediction but you and me are on the same page

[00:26:31] The only slip up that you that's on the another remaining of the tournament is Sam Houston say that's the only team the Raiders Have in beaten so you know that they're capable of winning against all these ball clubs and

[00:26:43] Excuse me Louisiana tech as well, but I say that because if you're able to advance past that game You know you're capable of beating anybody and again I can't I keep alluding to this the Huntsville slash home crowd advantage

[00:26:55] It's not going to be a Murphy Center. There's not going to be able to sleep in your own bed at those nights But there is something to that there's something that can be you know

[00:27:03] I just maybe I'm given this window to the doubt and again, you put it as a Homer Maybe that's what it is but I'm excited about what will potentially happen in Huntsville

[00:27:11] But we'll keep moving forward, you know, we talk about the the incident of a tournament in the March madness You know next week I'll preview after selection Sunday those brackets What are your thoughts right now as we sit a week away from selection Sunday

[00:27:24] We still have some of our bigger tournaments going on this week. Do you have kind of your final four in your head Do you have a favorite I mean we've talked about this again throughout the whole year in our group go middle group chat

[00:27:35] There's just no one that like, you know one week I think it's you con the next week I think it's used and then somebody since Purdue like I I couldn't tell you realistically who I think has the edge But you know where we sit right now

[00:27:47] I'm going to hold it to you in April Oliver, who do you think has the potential of walking away with the National Champions? So yeah, man, I think so so everybody's a college who's been knows that Purdue Houston and Connecticut are on tier one by themselves It's indisputable

[00:28:06] Um, up those three I've always liked Houston I think the most I just I like Kelvin Samson. I like what he's built there I like their teams almost every single year I think they're just kind of due to going on a run

[00:28:20] You know, and I think Purdue I can't like Purdue too I mean it's kind of funny how things just repeat themselves

[00:28:27] It wouldn't surprise me if Purdue had a similar sort of story that Virginia had a number you know five or six years ago when they lose to his 16 seed And then when the National Championship the following year, I think Purdue's yearn up to do it personally

[00:28:41] But Houston's probably my favorite of the top tier schools But man, I mean last year you had two mid-majors in the final four And what I keep on kind of debating in my head is like is that the new thing is that

[00:28:59] Our mid-majors on the rise because it's definitely not just last year It's kind of been gradually been a trend that mid-majors are having more and more success And march you saw St. Peter's two years ago go on that run to the elite eight

[00:29:13] And I just wonder is the lack of continuity with the transfer portal and advantage For mid-majors is it the fact that there's all these five year players or six year players Seven year players in the sake of Deonja Dishman and Jaylen Jordan

[00:29:31] Like that are just going around so mid-majors that have those sort of players have some sort of Experience or maturity physically mentally advantage So I don't know it's hard to it's hard to kind of scope that

[00:29:47] I'm looking forward to it. I do I am a mid-major David over Goliath fan at heart So I do hope that is the case, but we'll see if that continues I'll tell you that my favorite mid-major they actually just won their league

[00:30:02] If you maybe an hour ago is Samford I think Bucky McMillan is a great coach He's really turned that program around I think there probably my favorite at least has a bid so far

[00:30:15] To win at least when a game in March and you know potentially hopefully make a run I think Samford that team can absolutely score the ball to Like it helps the old adage that defense wins championships is kind of died down

[00:30:28] I think if you look back at the stats that they get the kin pomba reine or The adjusted offense and defense at the top the team that wins an national championship As always inside the top 30 of both I think is what the statistic I saw was

[00:30:39] And it always seems to favor the it always seems to favor the offensive team more so than the defensive team So a team like Samford don't want to run you drop 90 points you run a fast up tempo offense

[00:30:51] And again just like much like we talked about liberty, you know if you live in Dubai the three you hit those three's You know you move on in advance and that's just kind of the nature of the game nowadays

[00:30:58] But a lot to be excited about and in the regards of March madness I think parody is finally catching up. I think the NIL as many people that wanted to combat the NIL and say NIL's bad

[00:31:09] I think it's done a wonder for college basketball because of the amount of parody We saw the effects of it last year as you already said to mid-mages in the final four

[00:31:17] I expect that this year. I would be stunned to have more than one one seed in the final four I love just where college basketball is at right now because of that mystery And there's just no other time like Mike March So Oliver

[00:31:30] You know that wraps up our preview man I really appreciate you coming on and before we we hang up here I'd love to let for you to go ahead and plug some of those socials where people can find your stuff

[00:31:41] Yeah, so I'm still at Go Middle underscore Oliver on Twitter It's the only social medium on right now So Just reoccurringly publish and stuff on our website GoMiddle.com Hopefully will have a post-mortem Sort of article out when middle wins what six plus three nine straight games

[00:32:07] Oh, and there's our twenty twenty four national champions, but no just you know do what I can and hope to keep on doing it more I'd absolutely love to read that article and and what a what a story that would be to think that

[00:32:21] You know MTSU basketball would be the first team outside it would be the first team national champions Oliver it's been an absolute pleasure man and I appreciate it and of course like he said look out for a step over Go Middle

[00:32:33] And of course he'll be on this on this podcast Pull anymore in the future as we discuss basketball on hoops and again he knows ball So he's always a good follow and he's great with the stats over there on Twitter slash ex So again Oliver I appreciate

[00:32:45] Thanks Jake, are the best time to preview the lady Raiders upcoming tournament this week But before we do that I want to get this off of my chest after seeing the results of the all conference awards that were awarded on Monday afternoon

[00:33:04] And I think the glaring one that MTSU fans are going to see throughout is the coach of the year honor Not to going to MTSU and actually instead went to FI use head coach Jessica Berkswiley

[00:33:18] And I don't want to take anything away from coach Berkswiley given that she took an FI U team that was picked to finish the button all the way to a second place finish

[00:33:27] I think that there's a lot to be said about what she was able to do it FI U and for the most part if you know anything about women's basketball

[00:33:35] FI use a very tough place to win so I don't want to go into this conversation taking anything away from who she is

[00:33:42] And what she's done with that program and to be quite honest with you I don't know that she'll be there much longer given the success that she was able to have at a program that it's very tough to have success

[00:33:52] But it still goes without saying that Rick and soul was absolutely robbed of the coach of the year awards for multiple reasons

[00:34:02] And it doesn't happen too often and you could even make the argument that for coach Rick and soul that it does happen he's done it actually this is for those who don't know this is a third time

[00:34:12] He's done it since being in TSU did it in 2007 in the sembell conference where he went 18 to know and they did it later in 2012 not also with another perfect season at 16 to know

[00:34:24] I may have those switched around but regardless going 16 to know is a rare feed and we know how successful coach and soul has been and his 10 year here at MTSU but it's only happened three times and he's had quite a few good teams and even last year's team was ranked in the AP top 25 and they had two conference losses

[00:34:40] So it goes without saying that regardless if you're in the sembells you're in the conference USA you're in the SEC like South Carolina has done it's not easy

[00:34:50] You're playing against teams that typically you're on the same playing field and to beat them 16 times eight home times eight road games That should be rewarded and again What happened this year doesn't get tarnished because of a simple award that a Hall of Fame coach didn't win

[00:35:06] It's not going to go down in history books that Rick Insult didn't win the 2024 conference USA coach of the year But if anything it should be bolts and board material for the ladies and I've said this

[00:35:17] To a lot of people close to me that if there was any doubt that the later readers would slip up this week I would say that that notion is disappeared with the announcement that Rick Insult did not win coach of the year

[00:35:29] But it's just it baffles me that enough of the coaches and the conference believed that he wasn't a unanimous decision The grant it he can't vote for himself so the ability to be a unanimous vote is

[00:35:42] Technically impossible, but I would assume it was a five to four vote outside of Berkswiley and inso I don't know who else you would even vote for Again, I can see the voting purpose for Berkswiley given that she had quite the turnaround and she coaches at a program

[00:35:59] That is very has very little success. I believe the third place or excuse me. I believe the second place finish in conference USA is the highest For Florida International Women's Basketball. I could be wrong

[00:36:10] But given what they've had in recent years finishing second was not not in my playbook going into this year So again, a lot of credits are her don't want to take anything else away from her But it is absolute Theavory that

[00:36:25] Coach Rick Insult did not win coach of the year after going 16 and 0 but hopefully that feels the power this week The lady Raiders will start their tournament play on Wednesday afternoon as well

[00:36:36] As they will take on the winner of Sam Houston State and you tap when you discuss that matchup I think the obvious answer is you want to play the nine seed Sam Houston State given their lack of offensive firepower

[00:36:49] But I do think that you would rather play you to give them that they have a different skill set They do have a first team member in Jane a Sunday who is a Wichita State transfer

[00:37:00] If anyone remembers the matchups with them they are in alpazzo Jane went and score 28 Points, she's a very tough person a guard given that we still have ball to Raiba who is defensive player of the year

[00:37:14] You still feel good because we were able to keep her in check when they came back here to Murphy'sboro Outside of the Louisiana Tech over time game and rust in the home win over UTEP which is only by 11 points

[00:37:26] Was the closest matchup of the season so you tap could be a scary potential matchup But you feel better playing a better team out the gates as opposed to a team that is you could sleep walk through and still win

[00:37:39] You still want a level of talent to go up against again prepare you for the second matchup And when you look at that second matchup you're going to play the winner of Louisiana Tech in Jacksonville State

[00:37:49] Again, the obvious choices you want to play the lower seed in Jacksonville State Jacksonville State struggle You might as well get some TSU all your long. They don't have the firepower scoring wise and it was evident in the matchups with him TSU

[00:38:02] They only scored 45 and 40 points in each of those games respectively They are the worst scoring offense in Comprehensive as say which again goes hand in hand with MTSU being the top scoring defense

[00:38:14] So when you look at on paper it should be a relatively easy matchup which Jacksonville State Whereas Louisiana Tech we saw this last Saturday the Lady Raiders were able to beat them pretty handily

[00:38:24] Pretty handily by 21 points, but you go back to that first matchup on January 11 where you went to overtime And you narrowly escaped the rest and with a win. I've always said throughout the episodes of the basketball season at Louisiana Tech is the most underrated team in the conference

[00:38:40] I don't think that they are conference USA champion capable however That doesn't mean that you play a bad game that they won't beat you as we likely saw there in Ruston

[00:38:51] Not a team that you want to sleep against given the fact that as I've noted that Brooke stores the coach her team From Charlotte last year she brought a lot of those big players like Anna and Alar Roebrson who was also on the all conference teams

[00:39:05] And he got Robin Lee who had exceptional games against us including 18.7 rebounds and the Saturday matchup Louisiana Tech I wouldn't define them as scary but they are a team that could potentially you know, slip up the Lady Raiders

[00:39:20] And if there was a team that outside of them to even be concerned about it would be liberty on the other side of the bracket Their team that has been very wishy-washi out of the non-conference they were very underachieving

[00:39:32] They were picked at the top of the conference just like the Lady Raiders were But they slipped up very early, very underwhelming under conferences I previously said they have they started the conference season at one and three

[00:39:44] So again they they would just want the team that everyone expected them to be but they finished the year winning 10 of their last 12 And both of those two losses were to empty issues so they were able to beat 10 of their last 12

[00:39:58] And they were able to do it, conference USA opponents and 10 of the last 10 outside of MTSU so they are trending upwards They're winning a lot of all games and as we've seen they are capable of putting up points with players like Bella Smutta

[00:40:13] And then you've got Emma Hess who are both of which were on first and second team conference USA So you've got these players Smutta who's the only other posts in the league beside maybe Jane a Sunday at UTEP who can seem to match ball to Reyva

[00:40:28] She has great footwork, she scores pretty well She does struggle, she's a player that lets the game kind of get to her head She definitely when she gets in foul trouble You can definitely see the reaction on her face and I think that carries over for all liberty

[00:40:43] They get real frustrated and that I think that's the big reason why they were able to win last week on Wednesday against The Lady Flames is because of just I would say in maturity I think they're very emotional, they play a little emotional basketball but they're very good

[00:40:58] I do think that they are again another team that could beat the Lady Raiders and that potential conference USA championship Gaming as it sits right now I think that they would be the favorite They beat FIU later in the year

[00:41:10] FIU just seems to be trending downward here late They've lost three other last five including the Mexico State and Liberty Both of which are on their side of the bracket So you I don't think FIU is the team that would be looking for for that Saturday championship game

[00:41:26] It would be it would be liberty But we'll see and I still think that this is the Lady Raiders conference championship to lose I don't think that anyone is going to initially take that from them

[00:41:38] And as I alluded to earlier, I think the news of the conference USA coach the year not going to Rick and so should be fuel to that fire I hate to put it that way, but I think it's just disrespectful I think he was well deserved and

[00:41:52] That's you know that's sorely missed But that doesn't take away from the fact that Savannah Wheeler was your conference USA player the year As she was already the preseason favorite She took that home looting the league in scoring as I already said Boulder Rava she takes home

[00:42:07] Comprehensive USA defense a player the year both Wheeler and Boulder Rava finish in first team all conference And then on the second team all conferences the remaining of the starting five with to me a Scott Jailian Gregory and Courtney Whitson

[00:42:18] So when you're able to sweep the first and second team With your starting five is pretty impressive and that doesn't happen often And yet somehow that's not as good as you go to the year so I could keep going on this soap box

[00:42:30] But um should be certainly proud of of the effort to go 16 and know But I think as the girls would share the same sentiment that the jobs not done They still have a week to prove themselves and as it sits right now

[00:42:43] Charlie Crim at ESPN has a lady Raiders as a 10 seed in the Columbus regional so As it sits a 10 seed for those that aren't big brachatologist 10 seed would mean that you were still in Burnett large

[00:42:58] And even that we slip up I would I would hope that it doesn't happen But the event that it does a 10 seed typically means you're safe now He does have a sentence and automatic qualifier which also means that if we went out we would be a 10 seed

[00:43:10] So it doesn't necessarily account for if we slip up on Wednesday against UTP or San P Eastern For if we slip up against Jacksonville State or New Mexico State that we would no longer be in the tournament

[00:43:19] So you still got to win this week to for sure lock yourself in There's a lot of scenarios you could play in your head about what's the ideal seeding I would make the arguments for last year where we were 12 seed

[00:43:31] You might actually get a better draw as a 12 seed or even on 11 seed given your first first round matchup against a five or six And then your second round matchup would be against it potentially a three or four

[00:43:40] So you feel better actually being on 11 or 12 and if you're not going to be at 11 or 12 You'd rather be a six or five a 10 or an eight and nine or a seven kind of puts you in a bad situation

[00:43:51] Because your second round matchup is going to be against one of that top eight teams in the country And as the brachatology is swung back and forth the lady raiders have been in the Iowa City regional with Iowa

[00:44:01] Which as much as you know, you want to win an astronaut championship I think your goal especially if you're Rick and so has never gone to the sweet 16 before that would be your objective Is to at least make it to the second weekend

[00:44:13] So if you can avoid Iowa at all costs that would be ideal in same situation playing North Carolina North Carolina is kind of falling off their wagon here late in the year But they have top 25 wins by virtue of playing in the ACC

[00:44:25] But then you turn around and if you beat North Carolina in Columbus then you're going to end a Clingle how a state who we just saw Pretty much dominated the big 10 so you you outside of Iowa So you've got to play the luck of the draw

[00:44:40] But at the end of the day, if you're going to win the whole thing you got to play all these teams But I think in a short term goal realistically

[00:44:45] You'd love to just be in the in the sweet 16 and sometimes the seating will play a huge role in that Which finally brings us to our blue radar wrap up portion of the episode Quickly now with the men's basketball as we alluded to this week

[00:45:00] They went one in one with a home win against Liberty 69 to 61 of his geraclman Jones with another double double of 15 points and 10 rebounds And a liar's king kind of has a breakout game from his past scoring 19 points three rebounds of two assists

[00:45:16] And as we talked about in the episode it continues to streak of going 10 and O in games where we score over 69 points Which unfortunately that streak was broken on Saturday in Russen, Louisiana falling to law attack by a score of 70 to 84

[00:45:30] Elias King stays hot with 19 points and 11 rebounds The biggest glaring detail is to why we fell on that game I believe came down to the field goal shooting allowing a nearly 5% clip from Louisiana tech And then also the rebounding margin who lose that battle by 11

[00:45:48] Lady Raiders again, they complete their perfect season with two wins last week on the road in Lynchburg, Virginia A very tough road win against the lady flames between the 67 to 52 Savannah Wheeler with 21.7 assists

[00:46:01] And to me Scott I think is underrated with the stat line of 13 points and seven rebounds But she was instrumental in that first half as we kind of dominated the second quarter to practically run away from her from there and on

[00:46:14] And also only gave up four turnovers, which is the fewest in the season, which is promising when you play a team that is a solid as liberty You can't afford to make mistakes and four turnovers is outstanding for a 40 minute game

[00:46:27] Then you'll find the wrap up the season with perfection with a 79 58 home win against Louisiana tech, the lady full dog Savannah Wheeler Cap saw her player the year season with an 18.96 seven rebound game

[00:46:39] Pradily pulls off a triple double and then an an a sociable to Raven scores 18 points at 13 rebounds And then Jalen Gregory also up there with the trio of 18 point scores with five three pointers We move on to baseball this week baseball finishes their week with a 3 in 1 record

[00:46:58] It started on Tuesday with a road win at southeast Missouri I give the player the game to Jackson Galaway who went to for four with four RBI's a double a triple and a hit by pitch

[00:47:08] And then your winning pitcher was Patrick Johnson with five innings pitch three hits no earned runs in four strikeouts Then this weekend what was supposed to be a four game series got reduced down to three games due to the weather

[00:47:20] But the Raiders do pull out a series victory over St. Bonavinter on Friday They want to close one by a score of six to four and then much like last week

[00:47:29] They dropped the they dropped the second match of it the series by score of 12 to two and seven innings And then they do win the river match on Sunday by a score of eight to three the player the weekend would go to Beriggs

[00:47:40] Rutter who went five for nine scoring two runs hitting in an RBI a double three walks and one stolen base Baseball will continue this week actually this afternoon. They are back home again seven in Indiana

[00:47:54] And it is a part of their $2 Tuesday where your tickets are $2 as well as a hot dog and a coat $2 a piece That first pitch is at 4 p.m. at recent mid junior field and it's a viewable on ESPN plus

[00:48:05] And then this weekend they kick off conference USA play traveling all the way down to Miami to face the golden Panthers are forward international That series will start on Friday the 15 at 5 30 p.m. in all the games of that week We'll viewable on ESPN plus as well

[00:48:21] Softball started their conference USA season this last weekend all the way in El Paso against UTEP They won the first match up for the three and extra innings And then they dropped the Saturday and Sunday matchup Saturday dropped that contest 1 to 3

[00:48:36] And then Sunday they lose that contest 3 to 8 Still a lot of positives to go with that given again the kind of up and down start that they had Or I should say down then up start they had with a non conference schedule

[00:48:48] But they were able to pull at least one went out which is always better than getting swept on the weekend And they were nearly pulled them one out on Saturday So a lot of great pitching especially for Mary Martinez who goes one for one on the week

[00:48:59] She throws 11 and two thirds innings giving up 11 hits three earned runs in three strikers So a lot of promise from the new transfer from Louisiana Tech Only giving up three earned runs in nearly 12 innings of action At the plate I give my weekend reviews to Ansley

[00:49:15] Ansley 11's three for six run two RBIs a double a home run hit 5 hit Jenna walk Shelby Sergeant three for nine with a run two RBIs a home run in a walk And then Shelby echoes who goes four for twelve within RBI

[00:49:30] They're upcoming scheduled this week don't miss their home action this afternoon noon The 12th against South Dakota that matchup was originally scheduled for tomorrow Wednesday but it got moved to this afternoon They are as a double header of the first game starts at 12 p.m.

[00:49:44] And as a part of their pediatric cancer awareness and then they continue their conference You as a schedule this weekend at home against Louisiana Tech Just a promo to keep up with this Friday the 15th their first pitch is at 6 p.m.

[00:49:57] They are doing a 40 ounce tumblr giveaway this is according to the promotional calendar So don't blame me if something scheduling changes but there's a 40 ounce tumblr giveaway this Friday And then Saturday's first pitch is at 4 and then Sunday's first pitch is at 12 noon

[00:50:10] And that is St. Patrick today and they're doing a T-shirt giveaway for that matchup Men's tennis they have a heck of a week sweeping all three games With starting in South Florida where they defeated the bulls by a score of four to three

[00:50:25] They're alone doubles loss of the week but they were able to bounce back with a couple of huge wins in the singles Of course you missed their first opening match this Sunday against number 29

[00:50:34] Louisville where they swept the Cardinals by a score of four zero and absolutely exhilarating match We're again you open up your new facility by beating a top opponent And hopefully kind of inch your way closer to the top 25 ranking yourself as their currently sitting at number 38

[00:50:49] And then they did finish the deed later Sunday afternoon defeating Tennessee Tech by a score of seven to zero As I said they dropped the South Florida matchup doubles matchup But then they did redeem themselves on Sunday picking up two doubles points

[00:51:03] Leo Ray Queen goes three and oh on the week and winning all three matches in just seven sets including two ranked wins throughout the week Andre Orak goes three and oh and he sweeps his week doesn't lose a set

[00:51:16] And he also includes a ranked win over number 76 may he against Louisville on Sunday And then I also give a shout out to Yucca Kroslack who goes two and oh so a lot to be excited about for men's tennis

[00:51:28] They had a heck of a week but as I've discussed in our preseason preview with coach Boren Dame It doesn't slow down from here on out as they will play Oklahoma this Friday again back at the outdoor complex weather pending

[00:51:39] They will begin that matchup at 5 p.m. so get out there folks again You're gonna have good teams every week with with this program and you've got a good team yourself So expect a big win there at home on Friday and then on Sunday

[00:51:53] They go all the way to Texas and they'll face southern Methodist at 58th ranked southern Methodist Mustangs And that match will begin at 12 noon on Sunday Women's tennis is back in action this week and their first match at the new outdoor tennis complex

[00:52:07] They will face UAB lady blazers this Saturday the 16th and that begins at 1 p.m. again free admission to those matchups Men's golf finished last week is as a week late Wrap up for them as they were still playing an action during last episode

[00:52:23] But they finished tied for 12th out of 14 teams Kevin Jagger gets the individual highest finish finishing at seven strokes under par which is good enough for type or 13th in the individuals Marcus Vargen goes even with par type or 41st

[00:52:37] Owen Stamper and Luke Perkins each are a stroke over par which is good enough to be tied for 45th Upcoming this weekend they will be at the Schinkle invitation which is in states where Georgia hosted by Georgia Southern

[00:52:49] It would be potentially the toughest crowd that they've played this season having two ranked teams in Florida And Mississippi State there as well as teams just outside the top 25 and Notre Dame Wisconsin

[00:52:59] So the hopes about back from a rough week in Bluffton and so hopefully they will get something going there in statesboro Lady Raiders golf club is currently taking part of the Jack Rabbit invitation The last update I received they were actually in

[00:53:15] I believe it was fourth place amongst the fields that they are having quite the start As this is released they will be finishing up the Jack Rabbit invitation And of course stick around next week as we will give you the full run down of the Jack Rabbit invitation

[00:53:28] Lastly, outdoor track and field is back they have a very brief break from indoor before they move in outdoor They will be at Georgia Tech this coming weekend as in a supportive yellow jacket invite

[00:53:42] And we will have all of your updates at the next blue radar podcast episode And that'll do it for us I was able to hit all the bases there where we're able to cover conference you as say basketball upcoming

[00:53:52] I hope all you fans are excited about that as I am We will be making the trip to Huntsville on Wednesday The plan is to be there every opportunity we get luckily we get a break in there So we got Wednesday you'll have a rest day on Thursday

[00:54:04] You hope to see both the men and women play on Friday And then of course you'd like to see the championship game there on Saturday Short drive I believe it's two hours even for those that live up there In between Murphy'sboro and Nashville

[00:54:16] But I know for those in Murphy'sboro it's an hour and a half maybe an hour and 45 on a good day So I hope to see a lot of Excitably radar fans be loud be proud be blue as they always say

[00:54:26] Don't forget to follow the podcast on all of our social media accounts on Instagram tick talk and twitter slash x at blue radar pod

[00:54:34] Of course fall the discussion over at go middle dot com as we will be discussing this week's episode and breaking down the conference USA tournament

[00:54:41] I'd love to hear your predictions and your thoughts and what's going to happen as well as your thoughts on the coach in civil situation I'll drag this out as long as I can for the remainder of this year

[00:54:51] But it certainly is head scratching finish, but I'd love to be able to discuss that with the fans over at go middle dot com Outside of that I hope you enjoy today's episode and you will tune in next week after our selection Sunday episode with Calvin white

[00:55:05] Of the MTSU sidelines student paper we'll break down his thoughts on the field as well as What could stand for the lady Raiders as they enter the NCAA tournament I appreciate you all tuning in this long and until next time go blue