Murray State University Athletics
MSU Draws Illinois In NCAA First Round
3/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Murray State, which punched its dance card to the NCAA Tournament eight days ago by winning the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, finally found out its dance partner Sunday during the national selection show on CBS.
Murray State (28-5) earned a No. 12 seed in the Atlanta Regional and will face No. 5-seed Illinois of the Big Ten on Friday at 11:25 a.m. CT in Columbus, Ohio.
"It's a tremendous accomplishment for our team, especially the seniors," said Racer head coach Mick Cronin said after watching the selection show with his team. "Before the season started our seniors made a goal of getting to the NCAA Tournament. Not only that, they stated that they wanted to win games, and right then I knew this group was committed."
Murray State finished second in the OVC regular season, but defeated conference champion Austin Peay 66-60 in the OVC Tournament title game in Nashville on March 6. The Racers closed the season by winning eight straight games and 13 of their last 14.
"I think our (No. 12) seed was a direct reflection of our non-conference RPI," said Cronin, whose team defeated Southern Illinois and lost at Pittsburgh and Louisville. "I think the selection committee saw who we played in December and January and rewarded us for it."
Illinois enters the game after losing to Wisconsin in the Big 10 Tournament championship game. The Illini is coached by Bruce Weber who is in his first season after coaching five seasons at Southern Illinois, a regional rival of the Racers.
"Off hand I know they have tremendous guard play," Cronin said of the Illini. "Our players could probably tell you more about Coach Weber and his style because they played him when he was at Southern Illinois."
Said Racer senior Antione Whelchel: "All of our guys are excited about who we play and where we play. It's not too far so a lot of our family and fans can make it. Right now we're coming off a conference title and we have a lot of momentum."
Murray State will begin preparing for Illinois on Monday. Because the university is currently on spring break, the Racers will have individual sessions in the mornings and full squad practices in the afternoons.
