MTSU's basketball teams each earned coveted first-round byes in this week's Conference USA tournament in Birmingham, Alabama, meaning they won't have to play four straight games.
Both squads will be a No. 2 seed, with MTSU's women facing the winner of Louisiana Tech/Rice at 5 p.m. on Thursday. MTSU's men will play the Charlotte/Rice winner on Thursday at 6 p.m.
MTSU's men secured the No. 2 seed with a thrilling 61-58 victory at FIU last Saturday when Jaqwan Raymond nailed a 3-pointer with one second left in the game. The Blue Raiders (21-9, 13-5) finished the regular with their fourth 20-win season in the last five years.