Men's basketball to host Marshall in NIT matchup Tuesday

“When you look at the field, it's a great reflection on our team that we're hosting," head coach Kermit Davis said. "There are 16 or 18 teams in this field that could win NCAA tournament games. Marshall is a really talented team and they're playing really well.”

The Blue Raiders are making their third NIT appearance in program history after finishing the regular season 25-6 overall and 14-2 in league play. MT last played in the NIT in 1988 and served as host for three games. The Blue Raiders defeated Tennessee and Georgia before falling to Boston College in the quarterfinals. MT’s only other NIT appearance was in 1986 with the Blue Raiders falling at Clemson in the opening round.

The two teams have met five times previously, with MT owning a 3-2 advantage in the series. Although Marshall earned a 63-60 win in the last meeting between the two teams on Nov. 17, 2009, in Huntington, W.Va., the Blue Raiders are 2-0 against the Thundering Herd in Murfreesboro. The last time Marshall and MT played in Murfreesboro was Dec. 22, 1987, with the Blue Raiders claiming a 91-80 victory.

MT finished the 2011-12 campaign with a 14-1 home record and currently holds a 13-game winning streak on its home floor. The Blue Raiders are one win shy from matching the program record of 15 wins at home set in 1974-75 and matched in 1987-88.

Marshall finished the season 21-13, falling to Conference USA champion Memphis in the league tournament on Saturday. Prior to that, the Thundering Herd had won four in a row, including three tournament victories.

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TICKET INFORMATION
General Public
Tickets for Tuesday’s game are $10 and all seats are reserved. Fans can purchase tickets immediately online by clicking here or visiting the Blue Raider Ticket Office on Monday or Tuesday. The ticket office will be open Monday from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Tuesday from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. All tickets must be picked up at will call on Monday or Tuesday at the main ticket office, located at Gate 1A of Floyd Stadium until 6:45 p.m. Fans waiting until after 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday must pick their tickets up at Entrance N2 of Murphy Center. Fans attending the women’s basketball NCAA tournament selection show on Monday night at the Kennon Sports Hall of Fame may pick up their tickets there as well.

For fans who have already reserved NIT seats through the Blue Raider Ticket Office, your credit card will be charged for the tickets requested. These tickets will be available for pick-up starting Monday at 7 a.m. at the main ticket office.

Student Tickets
All students MUST have a ticket to enter Tuesday’s game. The Student Government Association has made it possible for the one free ticket to be given to the first 500 students who visit the ticket office, beginning Monday at 7 a.m.. Each student must present a valid MTSU ID. After the first 500 free tickets are issued, student tickets are $4. Students can also purchase guest tickets for $4. Tickets can be picked up at the main ticket office at Gate 1A of Floyd Stadium until Tuesday at 6:45 p.m., at which time students will need to go to Entrance E5 of Murphy Center to purchase tickets.

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.