Murray State University Athletics
Racers announce 2005-06 schedule
9/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
(Sept. 21, 2005) -- Murray State head coach Mick Cronin calls the Racers' 2005-06 basketball schedule one of the most challenging the program has faced in recent years. With a slate that includes Cincinnati, Tennessee, SIU and Rice and a 20-game Ohio Valley Conference schedule, the Racers have their work cut out for them.
The season begins Nov. 19 when MSU travels to Cincinnati to face the Bearcats, as Cronin returns to his hometown and alma mater.
After the home opener against Campbellsville on Nov. 22, MSU plays Tennessee at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville on Nov. 30.
December begins with a game on the 3rd at Texas-San Antonio.
The OVC begins a 20-game league schedule, meaning the Racers open league play before Christmas. MSU hosts Eastern Kentucky on Dec. 8, and Morehead State on Dec. 10., before traveling to Jacksonville State and Samford.
The Racers get a break from OVC games on Dec. 28 when they host regional rival Southern Illinois and then get a return home game with Rice on Dec. 30 from last year's ESPN Bracket Buster. The Racers played in Houston, Texas, last February in the event, meaning Rice would come to Murray this season.
In January, the Racers get back to OVC games. From Jan. 5th through the 12th, the Racers enjoy a two-week, four-game conference homestand against Tennessee State, Southeast Missouri, Eastern Illinois and Austin Peay.
The Racers continue the gruelling OVC schedule until Feb. 18, when they host an ESPN Bracket Buster game against an opponent that will be announced on Jan. 26.
The Racers hope to be a top-four seed and host a first-round OVC Tournament game Feb. 28, then move to the semifinals and championship in Nashville on March 3 and 4.
Racer head coach Mick Cronin said he's happy with the schedule.
"Our non-league schedule is very challenging with our games against Cincinnati, Tennessee, and SIU," Cronin said. "Rice and San Antonio will be tough games. We would've liked to host SIU and Rice when our students would be here (MSU is on winter break at that time), but we're counting on our loyal fans to pack the house for those two games."
Concerning the 20-game OVC schedule, Cronin said it will take patience to win the title.
"Our league going to 20 games will be a marathon," Cronin said. "Having no experience in playing conference games in December, we have to make sure we're ready and our non-conference challenges will help get us ready.
"I'm excited about hosting a Bracket Buster game at our place. I hope we're on ESPN and have the chance to showcase our program, fans and arena. I'm excited about that opportunity."
The Racers enjoyed their recent summer tour of Canada, where they won all three games they played. The season will kick off Oct. 15, when the Racers begin workouts and then have exbibition games at home on Nov. 5 against Bellarmine and Nov. 10 against Christian Brothers.
Here is the complete schedule for 2005-06. Home games are in BOLD
NOVEMBER
Sat. 5, 7:30 - Bellarmine (Exhibition)
Thurs. 10, 7:30 - Christian Brothers (MSU TV-11)+
(Exhibition)
Sat. 19, 6:00 - at Cincinnati
Tue. 22, 7:30 - Campbellsville (MSU TV-11)+
Wed. 30, 7:00 - Tennessee (at Nashville)
DECEMBER
Sat. 3, 2:00 - at Texas-San Antonio
Thurs. 8, 7:30 - Eastern Kentucky (MSU TV-11)+
Sat. 10, 7:30 - Morehead State (MSU TV-11)+
Mon. 19, 7:00 - at Jacksonville State
Wed. 21, 7:00 - at Samford
Wed. 28, 7:30 - Southern Illinois (MSU TV-11)+
Fri. 30, 7:30 - Rice (MSU TV-11)+
JANUARY
Thu. 5, 7:30 - Tennessee State (MSU TV-11)+
Sat. 7, 7:30 - SE Missouri State (MSU TV-11)+
Mon. 9, 7:30 - Eastern Illinois (MSU TV-11)+
Thurs. 12, 7:30 - Austin Peay (MSU TV-11)+ 7:30
Mon. 16, 7:35 - at Eastern Illinois
Sat. 21, 6:00 - at Tennessee-Martin
Thurs. 26, 7:30 - Tennessee Tech (MSU TV-11)+
Sat. 28, 1:00 - at SE Missouri State (ESPN2)
Mon. 30, 7:30 - Samford (MSU TV-11)+
FEBRUARY
Thurs. 2, 7:30 - at Austin Peay
Sat. 4, 7:30 - Jacksonville State (MSU TV-11)+
Thurs. 9, 6:30 - at Eastern Kentucky
Sat. 11, 6:45 - at Morehead State
Thurs. 16, 7:30 - at Tennessee State
Sat. 18, tba - ESPN Bracket Buster
Thurs. 23, 7:30 - at Tennessee Tech
Sat. 25, 7:30 - Tennessee-Martin (MSU TV-11)+
Tue. 28, tba - (1)OVC Championship (Quarterfinal)
MARCH
Fri. 3, tba - #OVC Championship (Semifinal)
Sat. 4, tba - #OVC Championship (Championship)
Sun. 12 - Selection Sunday
Tue. 14 - NCAA Tournament (Play-In Game)
16-19 - NCAA Tournament (First Two Rounds)
23-26 - NCAA Tournament (Regionals)
APRIL
1 & 3 - NCAA Tournament (Final Four Indianapolis, Ind.)
All times Central Time and subject to change.
Home games in BOLD
(1) - First round of OVC Tournament hosted by top four seeds from regular-season standings
# - OVC Semifinals and Championship played at Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville, Tenn.
+Tape delayed same day on MSU TV-11 at 10 p.m.
