Middle Tennessee basketball: Giddy Potts most important player in program history

Middle Tennessee is going through the program’s best years in history. And they have a senior guard in Giddy Potts to thank for, even if he doesn’t get the credit.

In the first 63 years of the program’s history, Middle Tennessee won a total of two NCAA Tournament games. The Blue Raiders have matched that in just the last two seasons, including that incredible upset against Michigan State in a 15-2 battle. It was followed up by beating Minnesota in the dangerous 12-5 game.

More history was made last week, with Middle Tennessee being ranked in the AP-25 poll for the first time in school history. And while it’s too early to tell, it looks like this team can get into the NCAA Tournament without needing the automatic bid.

There are several people to give credit for the Blue Raiders recent success. Longtime head coach Kermit Davis has become one of the top mid-major coaches in the sport. Reggie Upshaw was the star of the team who beat the Spartans, scoring a team-high 21 points in the upset win.

For this season its Nick King whose been getting most of the spotlight. The Alabama transfer has been the best player in Conference USA, averaging 21.5 ppg 8.3 rpg. His arrival has continued the Blue Raiders into the national conversation, and a legit threat to do something in March.

But one player has not received the credit he deserved. And that’s senior Giddy Potts, who this season is averaging 13.1 ppg and 4.3 rpg. The 6’2 guard has been a starter all four seasons, growing from a mere role player to a go-to threat on offense. His defense has been good as well, taking up tough tasks on the perimeter.

Potts has never been the star of the team, with Upshaw, King and a year ago Jacorey Williams, who broke out in his one season with Middle Tennessee with 17.3 ppg and 7.6 rpg. It can be hard for a player whose been waiting their turn to be the top player, only for a transfer to come in and shine ahead of them.

But Potts took it in stride, and accepted more of a role player in these final two seasons for the benefit of the team. It takes strength to do what he did, and that can’t be taken for granted.

Still, Potts has shown that he can come up big when needed. He had 16 points in the win against rival Western Kentucky this season. In the Conference USA Tournament title game, he tied a career-high with 30 points to beat Marshall. And he played a big part in the historic win over Michigan State, dropping 19 points in the victory.

Between his stepping up when needed, along with providing the leadership and team-first mentality when it came to accepting new players, coach Davis’s job has been much easier as of late.

Next: 10 of the biggest mid-major snubs in history

It’s hard for secondary players to get attention, and even harder for those from the mid-major world. But Potts deserves some accolades, as his contributions and character has allowed Middle Tennessee to flourish. Whether this team makes a run in the NCAA Tournament or not this year, Potts legacy has been solidified in Blue Raider history.