Yates averaged 17 points and seven rebounds in Middle Tennessee's three games last week while shooting 71.4 percent (20-of-28) from the field. The Somerville, Tenn., native scored a game-high 28 points with eight rebounds on 12-of-14 shooting in the Blue Raiders' 89-86 overtime win at Arkansas State to start the week. Yates also connected on the game-winning 3-point field goal in overtime and he played all 45 minutes.

He scored double figures in all three games (at Arkansas State, vs. UALR, at Florida International), and has scored double figures in 36 of 55 career games. He concluded the week with his third double double in six games, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds at Florida International.

Yates is seventh in the league's scoring race (15.3 ppg) and he is fourth in the Sun Belt in field goal percentage with a 57 percent showing. He is 18th in the Sun Belt in rebounding with 4.7 caroms per game.

"Boogie's play is really predicated on how he rebounds the ball," Middle Tennessee coach Kermit Davis said. "In conference play he has been a much better rebounder and therefore his scoring average has gone up. He has great receptiveness to coaching and he's been a really good practice player. It's a really good honor for him and over the last six weeks Boogie has been playing like an all-league player in the Sun Belt."

Yates is averaging 15.3 points and 4.7 rebounds for the season but in Sun Belt games only he is averaging 18.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and shooting 53 percent from the field. He has been a big reason Middle Tennessee has won seven of its last 10 heading into Thursday's game against Sun Belt leader South Alabama.

The 6-foot-7 forward is averaging 19 points and 6.4 rebounds during this stretch and each of his three career double doubles have occurred during this stretch. Yates has scored double figures in nine of the 10 games.

Although he's only a sophomore Yates is already putting up numbers that have him on pace to leave the program as one of its all-time greats. His .551 career field goal percentage (281-510) is ninth all-time and his .444 career 3-point field goal percentage (36-of-81) is second all-time. Yates' 701 career points are 60th all-time and he is on pace to become the program's 28th member of the 1,000-point club as a junior.

"The best thing about Boogie is he is a young kid," Davis said. "He is a four-man you like. He can make the 3s, he can post up, he can go off two or three dribbles. The best thing is he is a fun guy to coach and it's really good to see his progress."

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