MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - This is the home of the reigning women's champions of the Sun Belt Conference, so it stands to reason that the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders present a formidable challenge tonight for Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns.
But there's even more to it when the two tangle at 7 p.m.
The Cajuns have never beaten MT in six previous tries, and the Blue Raiders are a perfect 4-0 in league play in defense of their Sun Belt crown.
Coach J. Kelley Hall's Cajuns picked up a crucial victory on Monday night when they rallied from 7 points behind to knock off Florida International 68-58 in Miami.
That victory moved UL to 14-4, one more victory than was achieved in 2003-2004, and 4-1 in conference play.
It was a big start to a difficult week that includes tonight's test and a Saturday date with Western Kentucky in Bowling Green.
The Cajuns committed a season-road-low 8 turnovers on Monday, a remarkable achievement against a winning program like FIU.
Intense defense was another key, as the Panthers missed their last five shots in the final 1:37 of play.
FIU led 51-44 with 10:26 to go, but managed to hit just three more baskets after that.