This one's no upset
Middle Tennessee took down another Big Ten team in the NCAA Tournament, though the latest victory wasn’t really an upset.
The Blue Raiders stood up to Minnesota’s rugged defense, then blew past the foul-prone Golden Gophers for an 81-72 victory on Thursday in Milwaukee.
Middle Tennessee, which came in favored by a point, proved it was no one-year wonder after shocking Michigan State as a No. 15 seed last March. SOUTH ROUNDUP
“We think we belong on a national stage,” coach Kermit Davis said. “I knew we’d play well and we did so today.”
Reggie Upshaw scored 19 points and Giddy Potts added 15 for the Blue Raiders (31-4), who face fourthseeded Butler in the second round on Saturday.
No longer a mystery team, Middle Tennessee 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 senior captain, responded with seven straight points, including a 3-pointer and a reverse layup during a 7-3 run to help give Middle Tennessee 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.”
The Blue Raiders set a school record for victories and a Conference USA record with 17 league wins.
A season of redemption came to an end for fifthseeded Minnesota (24-10), which bounced back from eight wins in 2015-16 to return to the NCAAs.
Amir Coffey had 17 points to lead Minnesota, while Dupree McBrayer added 16.
“We don’t believe in moral victories, but hon- estly I’m so proud of this team and this is probably one of the most historical Gopher teams,” center Reggie Lynch said.
Butler 76, Winthrop 64
In Milwaukee, Avery Woodson scored 18 points and tied a career high with six 3-pointers in his tourney debut, and the fourthseeded Bulldogs contained star guard Keon Johnson in a 76-64 win over the 13thseeded Eagles in the NCAA Tournament first round.
Woodson, a graduate transfer from Memphis, hit five 3s in the first half to help the fourth-seeded Bulldogs (24-8) build a 14-point halftime lead.
Xavier Cooks had 23 points to lead the Big South champion Eagles (26-7).