Middle Tennessee Ready for Second Trip to Big Dance

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee will compete in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Louisville, Ky., against tournament host Louisville.

The Blue Raiders (33-2) will begin the NCAA tournament with Louisville, Hawai'i and Tennessee State.

Middle Tennessee plays Louisville (22-7) on Friday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. Hawai'i and Tennessee State will begin tournament play on Friday, Nov. 30 at 3 p.m. The winner of each match will advance to the second round which will be played on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.

This is the second consecutive year the Blue Raiders have received an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Middle Tennessee will make its third trip to the NCAA Tournament after making its first appearance in 2000.

This is also the second year Middle Tennessee will play the first two rounds at Louisville and play Louisville in the first round. Louisville leads the all-time series 2-1. The Blue Raiders won the last meeting between the two schools in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament.

This would be the first meeting between Hawai'i and Middle Tennessee if the two teams were to meet. Middle Tennessee leads the series 34-1 over Tennessee State if the two teams were to meet.

Middle Tennessee has played five teams (Iowa State, Long Island, Missouri State, Oklahoma and Western Kentucky) in the 64-team NCAA Tournament. The Blue Raiders have a 5-1 record against teams in the 2007 NCAA Tournament.

Middle Tennessee plays Louisville on Friday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. The winner of the match will advance to the second round which will be played on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.

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