Murray State University Athletics
Exhibition Time - MSU hosts Bethel In Men's Basketball
11/2/2007 5:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Murray State Racers hit the hardwood for their only exhibition game of the 2007-08 season when they host the Wildcats of Bethel College at the
The Racers want to ultimately settle unfinished business in winning the league title and also the big prize....the OVC Tournament championship and a spot in the NCA Tournament.
On Oct. 10th the Racers were picked fourth in the OVC preseason poll of the league's head coaches and sports information directors. Austin Peay was the choice to win the regular season title with 19 first place votes, followed by
One story line in the 07-08 season will be
GAME NOTES
DEFENSE SHINES: MSU will again hang its collective hat on its defense. In 2007-08 the Racers led the OVC in defensive field goal percentage when they held opponents to .411 from the field and they were also first in thre-point defense, opponents only managed to shoot .307.
CRITICAL TIME: Watch for the five minute mark of the second half, because it has been a key moment on if the Racers are on the winning end or not. Last season when MSU had the lead with five minutes left they were 14-3, and 1-10 when they trailed.
HOME OPENER VS RIDER: The Racers season opener is also the home opener this time around when they host the Rider Broncs at the RSEC Nov. 10. The Racers enter the game having won their last 17 home openers. The Racers haven't lost a home opener since 1989 when they fell to
Four MSU players (Jewuan Long, Matt Fraliex, Ivan Evans and Tarod Sanders) will be making their MSU debut. The best debut for a Racer in the last several years was Antoine Whelchel's 27 points against Gardner-Webb in 2000. MSU Senior Bruce Carter was impressive in his debut last season when he scored 19 against
HOLLOWAY AND THE THREE: Sophomore Tyler Holloway will soon be entering the top-10 three-point marksmen of all-time at MSU. His first 10 three-pointers of the season will catch 10th place Aubrey Reese (97-00) at 105. Ninth place is Aaron Page (96-00) with 107.
HOME COOKIN: The Racers have fashioned quite a home court advantage at the RSEC. In its 10th season of games, MSU is 105-21 for a winning percentage of .833. Tennessee Tech and Austin Peay have also been a tough road win during this period. The Golden Eagles are 48-8 (.857) and the Governors are 43-10 (.811)
CRITICAL TIME: Watch for the five minute mark of the second half, because it has been a key moment on if the Racers are on the winning end or not. When MSU has the lead with five minutes left they are 14-3 and 1-10 when they trail.
WORKING OVERTIME: In 2007-08, for the first time since the 989-90 season, the Racers played in four overtime games in a single season. MSU is 21-13 in overtime games since 1983 and were 2-2 last season with wins over
MILES JOINS MSU: Guard Isaac Miles Transferred to
SIMMONS JOINS TEAM:
Picasso Simmons of Gallatin, Tenn. has joined the MSU team as a walk-on student-athlete. He'll wear number 14.WHERE'S THE LOVE?: Last season snapped a 13 season streak in which at least one MSU player was voted to the All-OVC First Team. Bruce Carter who made the second team last season is on the preseason All-OVC Team.
OVC VIDEO STREAMING: OVC member institutions received great reviews in the first year of offering live streaming video. All OVC games and many out of conference games are again offered to fans and media with live video and home team announcers audio at www.ovcsports.tv. All exhibition games are free. Click here to visit OVCsports.tv.
