MTSU Preview

This is the first installment of game previews for the year. I hope to preview each game through out the year to let everyone know what should be expected. I’m going to try to put my obvious bias aside and preview the games straight up. I know that will be hard to do at times, but we will see how it works out. Now onto MTSU vs. the Vols on Friday Nov. 10^th.

Coming off of a disappointing 16-12 season with a conference tournament loss to Denver on their own home court to end their season, MTSU looks to rebound this season. The Blue Raiders lost 51% of their scoring, 46% of their rebounding, and 50% of their assists. The Blue Raiders compare well with Tennessee in that they are a very young team. Their projected lineup features three sophomores, one redshirt freshman, and one senior. However, of the 7 players that return from last year, Calvin O’Neil played the least amount of minutes at 10.3 a game. He has the tough task of stepping in and replacing Pre-Season All Sun Belt Conference selection Adam Vogelsberg at the SG with Vogelsberg out with a broken ankle. The Blue Raiders will rely on their big men down low, however, with returning starter Kyle Young, at 6’10”, as the only senior in the starting lineup. Young was second on the team in rebounds last year, and looks to build upon his success from last season. Joining Young down low will be 6’10” 235 lb. Theryn Hudson. Young dominated MTSU’s exhibition game against York University of Canada with 15 points and 7 rebounds, 6 of which were offensive. If last year was any indication, MTSU will substitute tons through out the game. Eleven players averaged over 10 minutes a game last year, with 10 averaging 13 minutes in their exhibition opener. Last year, MTSU struggled to out score their opponents, only scoring 1.3 more points through out the year, despite their depth.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

Tennessee will not be able to tire the Blue Raiders. Tennessee will have to force turnovers with their more athletic team. Although MTSU substitutes generously, they don’t appear to like the up and down game, only averaging 70.6 points a game last year. If Tennessee can force the game to be played at a more uptempo pace, they may be able to limit the size advantage that the Blue Raiders have down low. Key matchup of the game: SG replacement Calvin O’Neil matching up with Tennessee’s Chris Lofton. Look for a close game, but for UT to pull away at the end.

Projected Starting Lineups:

MTSU

PG – 6’2” #5 Kevin Kanaskie
SG – 6’4” #4 Calvin O’Neil
SF – 6’7” #31 Desmond Yates
PF – 6’10” #44 Kyle Young
C – 6’10” #45 Theryn Hudson

Tennessee

PG – 6’2” #12 Ramar Smith
SG – 6’2” #5 Chris Lofton
SF – 6’2” #2 JaJuan Smith
PF – 6’4” #23 Dane Bradshaw
C – 6’9” #4 Wayne Chism