Middle Tennessee State's Giddy Potts (20) and Minnesota's Reggie Lynch battle for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball tournament first round game Thursday, March 16, 2017, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE - Middle Tennessee State University took down another Big Ten team in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, though the latest victory didn't really feel like an upset.
The Blue Raiders stood up to Minnesota's rugged defense Thursday, then blew past the foul-prone Golden Gophers for an 81-72 victory that proved MTSU was no one-year wonder after shocking Michigan State as a No. 15 seed last March.
The Blue Raiders are the South Region's No. 12 seed this year after repeating as Conference USA champions to return to the tournament for the second straight season and eighth time in program history.
"We think we belong on a national stage," said coach Kermit Davis, who is in his 15th season leading MTSU. "I knew we'd play well, and we did so today."
Baylor School graduate Reggie Upshaw had 19 points with nine rebounds, and Howard School alumnus Brandon Walters added 10 points for the Blue Raiders (31-4), who move on to face fourth-seeded Butler in the second round Saturday. MTSU lost to eventual Final Four qualifier Syracuse in the second round last year.
No longer a mystery team in March, the Blue Raiders played like seasoned NCAA veterans with the way they held off the Gophers' comeback attempt from a 17-point deficit in front of a loud and large contingent of Minnesota fans. Upshaw, a team captain, responded with seven straight points, including a 3-pointer and a reverse layup during a 7-3 run to help give the Blue Raiders a 10-point lead with 3:40 left.
"I don't think so at all," Davis said when asked if he would classify the win as an upset. "We have a lot of respect for Minnesota, but I think our record speaks for itself and what we've done all year long."
Also scoring in double figures were Giddy Potts (15) and Jacorey Williams (13) as MTSU extended what is already a special year. The Blue Raiders achieved a school record for victories when they earned their 24th last month, and they also set a Conference USA record with 17 league wins.
A season of redemption came to an end for fifth-seeded Minnesota (24-10), which bounced back from an eight-win season in 2015-16 - and a five-game losing streak at midseason this year - to return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2013.
"We don't believe in moral victories," center Reggie Lynch said, "but, honestly, I'm so proud of this team, and this is probably one of the most historical Gopher teams."
Amir Coffey had 17 points to lead Minnesota, while Dupree McBrayer added 16.
Trailing 37-31 at halftime, Minnesota was still in relatively good shape given that Lynch played just nine minutes because of foul trouble. The Gophers had just two turnovers in the first half but shot 10-for-26 (38 percent) from the field during that span.
They got in trouble when the 6-10 Lynch, the Big Ten defensive player of the year, was sidelined by fouls, allowing the athletic Blue Raiders to attack the lane. The foul trouble played right into MTSU's plans, because Upshaw and Williams are 6-foot-8 senior forwards with versatility.
"You look at how JaCorey and Reggie play, it's really 17 to 18 feet downhill off the dribble," Davis said. "We've had a lot of success whenever we've been able to spread the floor and drive the bigs."
Walters, a 6-10 junior forward, added punch off the bench in the first half with eight points, giving the versatile Blue Raiders another scoring threat. Potts said before practice Wednesday that his team could keep up with any tempo, and the Blue Raiders proved it.
Minnesota coach Richard Pitino said it would take a few days to put the season into proper perspective. The Gophers will return nearly every key contributor except for senior Akeem Springs, who averaged 9.5 points per game.
"I know that going into next year they raised expectations so quickly," Pitino said. "And next year it's going to be even more."
MTSU alternated defenses between 1-3-1 and 2-3 zones, as well as man-to-man, throwing off the Gophers just enough to slow them down. Guard Nate Mason finished with five points on 2-of-10 shooting, including 1-of-7 from 3-point range. Mason, who had four turnovers and three assists, was slowed by a hip injury in the second half.
"It kind of threw their guards off. It definitely threw off Mason," Upshaw said about the 1-3-1 look. "He's used to coming down the court and creating mismatches on ball screens."