When MTSU takes the floor against Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday, the Blue Raiders will experience one of the most electric environments in college basketball.
And coach Kermit Davis and his players are expecting Saturday's game against the Rams (7-3) to have the feel of an NCAA Tournament game.
"There is no question," Davis said. "It's going to have the feel of the Vanderbilt or Ole Miss game also."
The Blue Raiders are also trying to avenge last year's 62-56 loss at Murphy Center.
And MTSU players are prepared for another grind-it-out game in pursuit of their ninth straight win and a possible Top 25 ranking.
"VCU is just as good as anyone when it comes to going up and down the floor," said MTSU forward JaCorey Williams, who watched from the bench last year. "So we just have to get our rest ahead of Saturday."
Fatigue hasn't set in for Williams yet as he leads MTSU in scoring (18.9) and has yet to record a game under double-digits. Williams also had back-to-back double doubles as his rebounding totals continue to climb.
The Blue Raiders will take on a couple of standout forwards in Justin Tillman (10.8 points, 6.5 rebounds) and Mo Alie-Cox (9.4 rebounds, 4.4 rebounds).
Both combined for just six points against MTSU last year but are this year's second- and third-leading scorers on the team.
"We're going to need guys like JaCorey, Reggie (Upshaw) and Brandon (Walters) to play well," Davis said.
Walters returns: Walters, MTSU's tallest player at 6-foot-10, sat out the Belmont game with a minor foot injury but Davis said he's expected to play against VCU. Walters is averaging 3.1 points off the bench.
Tennessee connection: Dickson native JeQuan Lewis leads VCU in scoring (14.9 points), 3-point field goal percentage (.476), free throw percentage (.829) and assists (4.4).
And coach Kermit Davis and his players are expecting Saturday's game against the Rams (7-3) to have the feel of an NCAA Tournament game.
"There is no question," Davis said. "It's going to have the feel of the Vanderbilt or Ole Miss game also."
The Blue Raiders are also trying to avenge last year's 62-56 loss at Murphy Center.
And MTSU players are prepared for another grind-it-out game in pursuit of their ninth straight win and a possible Top 25 ranking.
"VCU is just as good as anyone when it comes to going up and down the floor," said MTSU forward JaCorey Williams, who watched from the bench last year. "So we just have to get our rest ahead of Saturday."
Fatigue hasn't set in for Williams yet as he leads MTSU in scoring (18.9) and has yet to record a game under double-digits. Williams also had back-to-back double doubles as his rebounding totals continue to climb.
The Blue Raiders will take on a couple of standout forwards in Justin Tillman (10.8 points, 6.5 rebounds) and Mo Alie-Cox (9.4 rebounds, 4.4 rebounds).
Both combined for just six points against MTSU last year but are this year's second- and third-leading scorers on the team.
"We're going to need guys like JaCorey, Reggie (Upshaw) and Brandon (Walters) to play well," Davis said.
Walters returns: Walters, MTSU's tallest player at 6-foot-10, sat out the Belmont game with a minor foot injury but Davis said he's expected to play against VCU. Walters is averaging 3.1 points off the bench.
Tennessee connection: Dickson native JeQuan Lewis leads VCU in scoring (14.9 points), 3-point field goal percentage (.476), free throw percentage (.829) and assists (4.4).
