It is no secret that the Middle Tennessee men's basketball team has experienced some trials and tribulations the last two seasons. Everyone who follows the team knows this year is essential. The coaching staff has had two years to build and manufacture a team the way they see fit. The talent they have collected to this point is evident. But after two tough losses at the Gulf Coast Showcase last week, it was fair to wonder if the tough times were due to continue.

Last night, those fears came to a halt, at least for the moment. MTSU got a win that was much needed. They won against a good team, a great program, and won convincingly.

"It has taken a couple years to shape the roster the way we want it to." said Coach McDevitt postgame. "Tonight looked like the way we want to play each and every night."

Murray State was picked to win their conference for the fourth consecutive year. They return their top two scorers, both coming off a first team all-OVC season, amongst a handful of other well-tenured players. They had also won the last two meetings against Middle Tennessee handily.

But tonight, the Blue Raiders were clearly the better team. The Racers maintained a steady lead for most of the first half. Their largest advantage was at the 9:12 mark, where they led 26-19. From that point forward, MTSU finished the half 15-4 then started the second half 15-5. Eventually, Middle built their lead up to 24 with just 1:55 remaining in regulation.

It felt like the floodgates were due to burst open at some point, and boy did they ever. Middle scored 44 points, shot 57% from the floor, and 44% from 3 in the second half. In the first two and a half games, the Raiders were averaging 0.68 points per possession. In the second half against Murray State, they scored 1.22 points per possession. The energy and confidence they displayed wasn't just noticeable, it was substantial. But despite the offensive fireworks in the final 20 minutes, defense continues to be this team's strong suit.

None of the three opponents this season have shot better than 41% from the field. For reference, only two D1 opponents shot worse than that mark last season. Middle Tennessee's opponents also have had 58 total turnovers over three games, averaging to 19.3 per outing. Over the prior two seasons, only two D1 opponents turned it over more than 19 times. It is a small sample size, and many teams have yet to even play, but after tonight MTSU is in the top 31 in the country in both opponent eFG% and opponent Turnover% (per KenPom).

"We know that we're a very talented group. It is just the beginning of what we know we can accomplish." said Jo'Vontae Millner-Criss, the team's leading scorer.

One big win against a great mid-major program doesn't plant the proverbial flag and certify that that the Blue Raiders are officially back. There is still a long way to go before the Raiders can salvage the momentum towards mid-major royalty they once had.

But last night established a new hope and a new confidence that this team can get the program back on track towards the great things it became accustomed to over the past decade.