Murray State University Athletics
Ward Announces Renewal of Murray State-Western Hoops Series
8/7/2006 5:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Murray State Athletics Director Allen Ward announced Tuesday the renewal of the Racers Men's Basketball series with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, beginning in the 2007-08 season.
“I want to thank Dr. Wood Selig (WKU Athletics Director) for his efforts in getting this series started again, Ward said. “It's a great rivalry, one I hope continues for a long time.”
“This series is great for our fans,” Ward added. “I have no doubt the RSEC will be sold out when the Hilltoppers come to town. The atmosphere will equal any in college basketball.”
The four-year agreement calls for
Murray State Head Coach Billy Kennedy echoed Ward's thought about renewing a great rivalry.
“A number of people have asked me since I arrived if we were going to play Western,” Kennedy said. “I understand how important this in-state rivalry means to the
Ward added, “
The MSU-WKU series dates back to the first meeting in 1932. From 1948 to 1982, the two teams competed in the Ohio Valley Conference. Since then, the game has been played 15 times with WKU winning eight and MSU seven. Showing how unpredictable the rivalry can be, the visiting team won on the other team's home court in the last two meetings.
