MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee will head to West Lafayette, Ind., this week after receiving an at-large bid to the 2008 NCAA Tournament.
ยท 2008 NCAA Tournament Bracket
Purdue will host the first and second rounds facing Louisville while the Blue Raiders will play Miami (Ohio).
"I think it is a very good draw for us. We played Miami two years ago so we know their system and are familiar with the offense they were running then. They had a young team so most of those players are probably still there," head coach Matt Peck said. "I think we are a kind of tournament tested team and except for this year's Sun Belt tournament have done well in tournament play."
This is the third straight appearance for the Blue Raiders in the NCAA tournament and the fourth in school history.
Three Sun Belt teams will compete in the tournament for the first time as Western Kentucky received the automatic bid after winning the SBC Championships and Florida International received an at-large bid.
"Last year everyone was surprised we got two teams in the tournament. We deserve it. Our conference has improved tremendously in the last two years. Denver had the possibility of getting in as well I think. Us, Western Kentucky and FIU are all in a good position to do well I think," Peck said.
Western Kentucky will play Cincinnati in Champagne, Ill., hosted by Illinois while FIU travels to Gainsville, Fla., to play
"Kudos to the conference, we have had a tough year for all of us. Western Kentucky the conference champion lost five matches this year in the league and I think it just goes to show you the parity in the league. I think it is going to help us in the long run in the NCAA tournament having such a tough conference schedule this year."
More information on the Blue Raiders' trip to the NCAA Tournament will be posted www.goblueraiders.com as it becomes available.
"We have played some tough matches here at the end. Our match with St. Louis will help us down the road and we had a big win over UConn. I am excited about our draw. I think the Purdue versus Louisville match is an interesting one. I certainly think this is as good of a draw we have gotten as far as regionals go since I have been here," Peck said. "We will have our work cut out for us but I am excited to go play at a Big 10 school. I think our players will be honored to go there and it will be a good experience for us."
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