If you only know middle tennessee state basketball from that one time they absolutely wrecked Michigan State’s national title hopes in 2016, you’re missing the point. Honestly, that's just the tip of the iceberg. This program isn't some flash-in-the-pan mid-major that got lucky on a Thursday afternoon in March. It’s a relentless, blue-collar basketball machine that has been quietly making life miserable for "power" programs for decades.
Right now, in early 2026, the Blue Raiders are right back in the thick of it. Coach Nick McDevitt has his squad sitting at a solid 10-7 overall and 4-2 in Conference USA. They aren't just surviving; they're competing in a league that's gotten a whole lot tougher with the addition of teams like Liberty and Missouri State.
The Glass House and the Culture of Murfreesboro
Walking into the Murphy Center—affectionately known as "The Glass House"—feels different. It’s a 10,000-seat geometric anomaly that opened its doors in 1972. It’s held everyone from Elvis to U2, but on a Tuesday night in February, it’s all about the Blue Zoo and the smell of popcorn and floor wax.
People think mid-major hoops is just about finding a lucky guard who can hit six threes. It's not. At Middle Tennessee, it’s about a specific kind of physical, "get-in-your-shirt" defense. They've traditionally been a program that wins because they're bigger, meaner, and better prepared than the guys coming in from the big cities.
The McDevitt Era: Stability vs. Expectations
Nick McDevitt is currently in his eighth season at the helm. He’s fourth all-time in wins at the school, having surpassed the 100-win mark at MTSU during this current campaign. But it hasn't been a straight line to the top. After the legendary Kermit Davis left for Ole Miss, the program hit a few speed bumps.
- 2021-22: The breakthrough. A 26-11 record and a run to the CBI finals.
- 2024-25: A return to form with 22 wins and an NIT appearance.
- Present: Currently battling for a top-three seed in the CUSA tournament.
McDevitt has built this year's team around a core that balances local Tennessee grit with some serious high-major transfers. You've got Kamari Lands, a senior who spent time at Louisville and Arizona State, leading the charge with 13 points per game. Then there’s Torey Alston, a 6'8" redshirt sophomore who is basically a walking double-double, averaging nearly 9 rebounds a night.
Why the Women's Program is Actually the Standard
You can't talk about middle tennessee state basketball without talking about the Lady Raiders. If the men’s team is a powerhouse, the women’s team is a dynasty. Period.
Rick Insell is in his 21st season. Think about that. Most coaches don't last 21 weeks in the modern transfer portal era. Insell has over 460 wins at MTSU alone. His teams have won their conference tournament 19 times. That’s not a typo.
This season, the Lady Raiders are doing what they always do: winning. They’re 10-5 overall and a perfect 4-0 in conference play. They’ve already blown out UTEP and New Mexico State by 43 and 37 points respectively. When you play them, you aren't just playing a team; you're playing against 50 years of tradition. They have a 6'10" freshman center from Spain, Nicole Dominguez, who is already altering shots just by existing in the paint.
The Current Landscape: CUSA in 2026
Conference USA has changed. Gone are the days of the old-school rivalries with UAB and Memphis. Now, the Blue Raiders have to navigate a map that stretches from Delaware to New Mexico.
The men’s side is currently a dogfight. Liberty is the class of the league at 13-3, but Middle Tennessee is right there with Western Kentucky and Missouri State. The Blue Raiders recently dropped a tough one to Louisiana Tech (59-58) but showed they can hang with anyone.
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Key Names to Watch Right Now
- Jahvin Carter: The sophomore guard from Alcoa is the spark plug. He’s averaging 12.2 points and over 3 assists. He plays with a chip on his shoulder that defines Murfreesboro basketball.
- Chris Loofe: A 6'11" junior who is finally coming into his own as a rim protector. His 12 rebounds against Milligan set the tone for the season.
- Alayna Contreras: For the women, this senior guard is the floor general. She keeps the Insell machine running smoothly.
What Most People Miss About the History
People love to bring up the Michigan State upset in 2016 or the Minnesota win in 2017. Those were great. But the real "Blue Raider Way" goes back to guys like Giddy Potts and Reggie Upshaw. It goes back to the 1980s when they were a staple of the OVC.
The program has appeared in the NCAA tournament nine times. They've made the Round of 32 six times. This isn't a school that is "just happy to be there." When Middle Tennessee makes the bracket, the high-seeds start sweating. They know the Blue Raiders are coming to play a physical, 40-minute game that feels more like a bar fight than a basketball match.
Looking Ahead: The Path to March
For the men, the goal is simple but incredibly difficult: win the CUSA tournament. With the way the NET rankings look this year, CUSA is likely a one-bid league. That means everything comes down to a few days in March. They have the veteran leadership in Sean Smith and Alec Oglesby to make a run.
For the women, it’s about seeding. They are almost certainly going to be in the conversation for an at-large bid if they don't win the tournament, but knowing Rick Insell, they’ll probably just win the whole thing anyway.
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Middle tennessee state basketball represents a specific kind of pride in the mid-state area. It's about being the underdog that doesn't act like one. It's about a community that shows up to the Murphy Center even when it's raining sideways in February.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into Blue Raider hoops this season, here’s how to stay in the loop:
- Watch the Home Stretch: Catch the upcoming home games at the Murphy Center. The atmosphere for the Western Kentucky matchup (the "100-Mile Revenge") is usually the peak of the season.
- Track the NET: Keep an eye on the men's NET ranking. They need to stay in the top 100 to ensure they get a favorable draw in the conference tournament.
- Follow the Lady Raiders’ Streak: They are currently on a tear in CUSA. Seeing if they can go undefeated in conference play is the biggest storyline in the league right now.
The Blue Raiders aren't going anywhere. Whether it's McDevitt's rebuilt roster or Insell's relentless machine, Murfreesboro remains one of the toughest places to play in the country.