Blue Raiders facing rival Hilltoppers in final regular season game

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee will play its final home and regular game of the season this weekend at Murphy Center.

The Blue Raiders (14-15, 9-6) will honor their seniors in a pregame ceremony prior to facing rival Western Kentucky (14-14, 8-7). Senior James Washington leads the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game and in his career averages 17 points per game against the Hilltoppers.

Senior Trevor Ottley saw limited action earlier this week due to an injury but will be back for Saturday's game. Ottley has helped lead the Blue Raider defense in the last eight games averaging 7.6 rebounds per game and also had 14 blocks and 13 steals during the stretch.

The Blue Raiders are currently second in the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference. With a win over the Hilltoppers, Middle Tennessee would lock up a first round by at the Sun Belt Championships set to begin on March 5.

Fans are encouraged to wear their blue to the game against the Hilltoppers and get to the "Glass House" early as Middle Tennessee will honor its seniors in a pregame ceremony. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. with the senior ceremony beginning at 6:45 in Murphy Center.

Chip Walters along with Kyle Turnham will have the call on the Blue Raider Network and out of town fans can also catch the action on Fox College Sports.

The Sun Belt Championships will be held in Hot Springs, Ark., March 4-8. Tickets for all sessions are $83 and on sale through the Blue Raider Ticket Office by contacting 1-888-YES-MTSU or by visiting goblueraiders.com. <

P> NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS Stifling Offenses... In 12 Sun Belt Conference games, the Blue Raiders have held opponents below their normal scoring averages this season. In all but three of those games, Middle Tennessee has held their opponent to seven or more points below their average. Against Troy, the Blue Raiders held the Trojans 23.2 points below their normal total.

In the Glass House... Middle Tennessee won its season opener in the Murphy Center and is 9-4 at home this season. The Blue Raiders hold an 88-39 record at Murphy Center under head coach Kermit Davis. Middle Tennessee is stellar at home in league play during the 2010-11 season posting a 6-1 record.

vs. Rival Western Kentucky... With the win over the Hilltoppers on Feb. 10, Middle Tennessee won its third consecutive game against its rival in 81 years. The last time the Blue Raiders defeated their rival three straight times was when they won six straight from 1924-25 through the 1929-30 season. Middle Tennessee swept rival Western Kentucky in the 2009-10 regular season for the first time since the 1974-75 season. Middle Tennessee won the first meeting, 47-46, on a Monday and five days later 84-74 on national television.

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