Aldo Giovanni Amato

USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

MILWAUKEE — For the second straight year, Middle Tennessee’s basketball team is going to the second round of the NCAA tournament after topping a highly seeded Big Ten team.

The No. 12 Blue Raiders bounced No. 5 Minnesota in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, defeating the Golden Gophers 81-72 on Thursday. The victory earned MTSU (30-4) a game Saturday against Butler (24-8), which beat Winthrop earlier Thursday.

Unlike last year’s upset over No. 2 Michigan State, the Blue Raiders came out cold from the field, especially in the post behind JaCorey Williams.

Williams eventually found his rhythm midway through the first half, but it was MTSU’s bench play that helped the Blue Raiders wipe away a nine-point deficit.

Center Brandon Walters provided a spark off the bench, getting around one of the nation’s top shot-blockers, Reggie Lynch.

Reggie Upshaw led MTSU with 19 points and nine rebounds. Giddy Potts added 15 points, Williams 13 and Walters 10.

Amir Coffey had 17 points for Minnesota.

MTSU has now reached the second round in back-to-back years for the first time in program history.