Welcome to the Top 25, Blue Raiders.
Middle Tennessee, winner of nine straight games and 14 of its past 15, made its first-ever appearance in the Associated Press poll on Monday at No. 24.
"You feel so happy for your players with the hard work they've put in," coach Kermit Davis said. "You also feel great for your fan base and your MT brand, especially when you get ranked this late in the year based on the long haul and what we've done. It's just a realty good day for Middle Tennessee basketball."
Senior guard Giddy Potts, the Blue Raiders' best-known player the past few years, said, "When I saw it, I smiled.