Lamar University basketball coach Steve Roccaforte knows exactly where he was and what he was doing the last time a Cardinal basketball team played in Middle Tennessee State’s Murphy Center.

Roccaforte, then a 14-year-old in Port Arthur, was reveling in the unprecedented success of his favorite team, first on the radio, then in front of the television AT 3174 27th St.

The occasion was LU’s first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in March of 1979. The Cardinals shocked the basketball world by taking out No. 17 Detroit, 95-87, in the opening round, then got blown out, 100-64, by Magic Johnson and eventual national champion Michigan State.

“I can remember it like it was yesterday,” said Roccaforte. “I used to go to all the games in Beaumont and had become friends with one of the starters, Ki Lewis. He sent me a postcard with a team picture on it when the team got to Murfreesboro. It was such a big deal to me that I still have the post card.”

Roccaforte says he’ll mention the historical significance of the Murphy Center to his players before tonight’s 7 o’clock tip-off against Middle Tennessee but doesn’t think it will make much of an impact. After all, none of theM were even born when those 1979 Cardinals put Lamar on the basketball map.

A win tonight wouldn’t be nearly as meaningful as that victory over Detroit 30 years ago, but it would be an important step for Roccaforte’s young team. After getting off to a 2-0 start at the Montagne Center, this is Lamar’s first road game and the start of a brutal stretch of four roadies in seven days.

Middle Tennessee is 1-2, after dropping a 63-60 decision to Marshall Tuesday night. The Blue Raiders other defeat was 81-68 at Ohio University. Lamar will be playing at Ohio Monday night and at Marshall on Wednesday, following a Saturday night game at Texas Tech.

“I think we’ll learn a little bit about ourselves on this trip,” Roccaforte said. “We have tried to be up front and realistic with our team. A very good trip on the road in college basketball is 2-2. To go 3-1 would be unbelievable. And 4-0 would be amazing.

“It’s just so different on the road. At home, it’s a more forgiving atmosphere and it’s easier to overcome some things. On the road, there is no forgiveness. If you don’t defend, you get beat. If you don’t follow the scouting report, you get beat. A lot of things will get you beat on the road.”

Middle Tennessee has become a moderately successful program under former Tim Floyd assistant and one-time Texas A&M; head coach Kermit Davis. The Blue Raiders have gone 119-97 in seven seasons under Davis and are coming off an 18-14 year and a 10-8, fourth place finish in the Sun Belt Conference’s East Division.

Davis’ club is led by the one-two punch of 6-5 senior Montarrio Haddock (19.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and 6-0 junior James Washington (16.3 ppg). The Blue Raiders will also confront Lamar with the first big man it’s seen this season — 6-10 senior Theryn Hudson (2.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg).

Lamar, meanwhile, is still searching for its identity, after defeating Texas-Pan American, 77-72, and routing Huston-Tillotson, 80-57).

JC transfer Kendrick Harris, on the strength of a 24-point outburst against UT-PA, leads the Cardinals in scoring at 16.5. Justin Nabors, who had 24 in the opener, is at 16.0 and point guard Anthony Miles averages 13.5.

What the Cardinals have done best thus far is rebound. Nabors (10.0 rpg), Miles (9.0) and Charlie Harper (8.0) have helped them pile up a 91-56 backboard advantage. Their overall shooting has been pretty good — 53-of-111 (47.7 percent) — but their 3-point marksmanship — 9-of-30 (30 percent) — has been subpar.

LU’s biggest drawback to this point has been taking care of the basketball. They have committed 43 turnovers in two games, and have had the ball stolen 21 times.