Just when two teams desperately need a pick-me-up, along comes a game that carries that very promise.
MTSU and Arkansas State are each in need of a pivotal win, and tonight's matchup (7 p.m.) at Murphy Center could be an appropriate boost for the victor with the Sun Belt Tournament approaching.
"They've got to have a chip on their shoulder," said MTSU sophomore Kyle Young of ASU. "Two places in the standings could be on the line here ? third place and maybe even an outside chance at second.
"So this is a very important game for both of us because it can determine your (tournament) seed, which means when we're going to play and how much rest we can get."
The Blue Raiders (15-10) and Indians (13-11) are tied for third place in the East Division at 5-6, and both have hit some unexpected bumps in the road.
MTSU is still nursing its leading scorer, Mike Dean, back to health, and the ASU's troubles have, perhaps, been even more urgent.
The Indians have lost four straight games, including a 68-52 loss at Florida International Monday without their star shooting guard, J.J. Montgomery.
The senior 16-point scorer missed the game due to a nagging foot injury and may not play tonight.
Meanwhile, ASU junior forward Marcus Ardison was suspended for the FIU game for conduct detrimental to the team. He has since been reinstated and should provide a needed lift to the Indians.
On the flip side, MTSU has won two of its last three games, but perhaps hasn't worn a collective smile of satisfaction since earning a hard-fought 70-68 win at Arkansas State more than a month ago.
Michael Cuffee and Fats Cuyler each set career highs with 24 and 17 points in that game, respectively. Cuyler even made five 3-pointers in the first half that night.
However, it will likely take more than two streaky shooters tonight to turn away the Indians, who are itching for a key win to turn around their season following Montgomery's injury.
The game carries additional importance because tournament seeds are up for grabs.
The winner of tonight's game will take sole possession of third place and would be in line to play the No. 6 seed, New Mexico State (1-10 in conference play).
The loser of tonight's game would slip to No. 4 in the East, which would currently draw a first-round matchup with South Alabama (4-7) or tournament host North Texas (4-7).
A run at the No. 2 seed is also still a slight possibility for the winner. The current East runner-up, Arkansas-Little Rock, ends its conference schedule with a game at Western Kentucky (tonight) and two more at home versus New Mexico State and Louisiana-Lafayette.
"This is a big game because it could be a good difference between third and fourth place," said MTSU coach Kermit Davis. "Nothing against New Mexico State, but that may be a better situation than facing North Texas, the tournament host. And then, second place isn't out of reach either, although you've got to string some wins together to even have a shot at that."
MTSU and Arkansas State are each in need of a pivotal win, and tonight's matchup (7 p.m.) at Murphy Center could be an appropriate boost for the victor with the Sun Belt Tournament approaching.
"They've got to have a chip on their shoulder," said MTSU sophomore Kyle Young of ASU. "Two places in the standings could be on the line here ? third place and maybe even an outside chance at second.
"So this is a very important game for both of us because it can determine your (tournament) seed, which means when we're going to play and how much rest we can get."
The Blue Raiders (15-10) and Indians (13-11) are tied for third place in the East Division at 5-6, and both have hit some unexpected bumps in the road.
MTSU is still nursing its leading scorer, Mike Dean, back to health, and the ASU's troubles have, perhaps, been even more urgent.
The Indians have lost four straight games, including a 68-52 loss at Florida International Monday without their star shooting guard, J.J. Montgomery.
The senior 16-point scorer missed the game due to a nagging foot injury and may not play tonight.
Meanwhile, ASU junior forward Marcus Ardison was suspended for the FIU game for conduct detrimental to the team. He has since been reinstated and should provide a needed lift to the Indians.
On the flip side, MTSU has won two of its last three games, but perhaps hasn't worn a collective smile of satisfaction since earning a hard-fought 70-68 win at Arkansas State more than a month ago.
Michael Cuffee and Fats Cuyler each set career highs with 24 and 17 points in that game, respectively. Cuyler even made five 3-pointers in the first half that night.
However, it will likely take more than two streaky shooters tonight to turn away the Indians, who are itching for a key win to turn around their season following Montgomery's injury.
The game carries additional importance because tournament seeds are up for grabs.
The winner of tonight's game will take sole possession of third place and would be in line to play the No. 6 seed, New Mexico State (1-10 in conference play).
The loser of tonight's game would slip to No. 4 in the East, which would currently draw a first-round matchup with South Alabama (4-7) or tournament host North Texas (4-7).
A run at the No. 2 seed is also still a slight possibility for the winner. The current East runner-up, Arkansas-Little Rock, ends its conference schedule with a game at Western Kentucky (tonight) and two more at home versus New Mexico State and Louisiana-Lafayette.
"This is a big game because it could be a good difference between third and fourth place," said MTSU coach Kermit Davis. "Nothing against New Mexico State, but that may be a better situation than facing North Texas, the tournament host. And then, second place isn't out of reach either, although you've got to string some wins together to even have a shot at that."
