FIU Recap

As of last Monday, MTSU only had four players that weren't under COVID-19 related restrictions and eligible to play. They went 23 days without a game. According to Coach Nick McDevitt, they only had three practices with 10 or more guys available over that span.

Before the long layoff, the team still had their work cut out for them in establishing chemistry with each other. Now they have to play a back-to-back with some of the players not in basketball shape (from spending weeks in quarantine), against a 7-3 team in good rhythm.

All that considered, splitting the series is a scenario that Blue Raider fans should be pretty happy with.

"I really think we just have a tough group. Tough minded. Tough physically. We fight for each other everyday." said Donovan Sims after the game Saturday.

MTSU lost the first game 68-55. FIU got out to a hot start with a 17-9 lead but MTSU responded with a 9-0 run. Most of the game was neck-and-neck, but the Panthers finished the game on a 20-7 run in the final 8:27 to win convincingly.

The second game went quite the opposite. MTSU started red hot out the gates, winning the first 10 minutes 31-9. FIU brought it back within 7 early in the second half, but it returned to a double digit lead less than a minute later and stayed that way for the remainder of the game.

So let's get some context. What were the biggest takeaways from this weekend?

Florida International entered the weekend ranking at the top of most offensive categories in C-USA. But the Blue Raider's held them in check, particularly in the second game, where the Panthers posted season lows in total points, assists, 3-pointers made, and 3-point percentage.

"We gave up some easy 2's on drives but for a team that really thrives on putting up a lot of points on 3's, obviously you would rather give up 2's." said Coach McDevitt after Saturday's game. "We did a good job of loading up on drivers without fouling."

Going into Friday's game, MTSU was 4th in the country in opponent's 3-point percentage. As of right now, they are 2nd at 21.3%. Second in the nation is pretty not bad.

Jalen Jordan hasn't had the best beginning to his Blue Raider career. The junior guard was a bonafide stud at St. Francis (NY), leading his team in points (14.8) and ranking 2nd in both 3P% (42%) and 3PM's (89) in the NEC for the 2018-19 season. In his first six games at MTSU, he was only averaging 5.3 ppg and shooting 30% from 3. He did break his shooting hand a few months before season started and that likely has attributed to his slow start.

In the first game against FIU on Friday, Jordan put the team on his back in the second half, scoring 14 of his 17 points. He shot 6-10 from the field and 4-7 from 3, including this buzzer beater from the logo.

"It always feels good to get in a rhythm. My teammates install a lot of confidence in me, they want me to shoot." Jordan said after the game Friday. "As long as they keep doing that, I am going to keep doing what I do."

Only 44% of the Blue Raiders' field goals are coming off assists. Even if that margin improves, it is unlikely to change the entire dynamic of the offense. This team is going to have more success with players creating their own shot off the dribble. With Jalen Jordan's experience and shooting ability, he has a chance to be the best scorer on this team. One way or another, if this team is deemed successful at the end of the year, he is going to be a big part of it. Friday night was a step in the right direction.

The Blue Raiders head to Hattiesburg, MS next weekend to face the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. USM is currently 5-6 on the year and 1-3 in C-USA, were picked to finish 13th in the conference this year, and finished 13th last year. This is a series the Blue Raiders need to sweep if their ambition is to compete at the top of the conference.