Murray State University Athletics
Murray State Meets Mississippi State - First Since 1961
11/29/2007 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Murray State
(3-1)
at
Mississippi State
(3-3)
Saturday, Dec. 1
12p.m.
Live Radio: GoRacers.com
The Murray State Racers hit the road for the second time this season when they play a Saturday game in Starkville at Mississippi State. The two teams haven't met since 1961. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 6-2. The first game was played at Murray State in 1941.
The Racers are coming off their best performance of the season in an 81-67 victory Monday over Arkansas State at home. Tyler Holloway scored 26 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including a career best six three point baskets. The Racers started fast and led by 18 points at half and held off an Indians rally that cut the lead to five in the last few minutes. MSU's 3-1 start is the best for the program since they started with the same mark in the 2004-05 season.
Murray State is 8-20 all-time against teams from the Southeastern Conference. Their last win over an SEC team came on Christmas day 1997 when they defeated Arkansas 94-83 in Puerto Rico. MSU lost at Tennessee last season 89-64 and haven't scored an SEC road win since beating Mississippi in 1993.
Former Racer head coach Ron Greene patrolled the sidelines for Murray State from 1978-85 and the season prior, he was the head coach at Mississippi State in 1977-78. He went 18-9 and earned SEC Coach of the Year honors and two years later, he was the OVC's Coach of the Year. His connection to both schools is made more interesting by the fact that Greene was on the floor the last time the Racers and Bulldogs played in 1961. He was a three year starter for the Racers playing for Cal Luther. Another former MSU (assistant) coach Jim Hatfield coached at Mississippi State in the late 1970's and early 80's and was an assistant at Murray State from 1998-03.
GAME NOTES
GOLD AND SILVER: It is very early in the season, but worth noting the Racers currently have the top two in field goal percentage in the OVC. Tony Easley is ranked first (13-17 .765), Tyler Holloway is second (19-27 .704).
REBOUND STREAK: Bruce Carter has grabbed at least two rebounds in all 34 games he's played in a Murray State uniform.
CRITICAL TIME: The five minute mark of the second half has been key for the Racers. MSU is 17-3 when they have the lead with five minutes left over the last two seasons and 3-0 this season.OVC PREDICTIONS:
MSU's start to the Ohio Valley Conference season is coming fast. They have games at home against Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State on Dec. 5th and 8th. 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 Eastern Kentucky (one first place vote) and Tennessee Tech (two first place votes). The Racers were 2-4 against the trio last season. Southeast Missouri was selected 5th, with Tennessee State (6th), Samford (7th), Eastern Illinois (8th), Jacksonville State (9th), Morehead State (10th) and UT-Martin 11th. MSU will also travel to Jacksonville State and Samford before Christmas.CLOSE TO 30:
Tyler Holloway has come very close twice to hitting the 30 point mark in a single game. His 26 Monday against Arkansas State was three off his career best of 29 that came last January at Tennessee State. MSU's last 30 point night was 78 games ago on Jan. 6, 2005 when Shawn Witherspoon netted 33 against Morehead State.IF THERE IS OT:
MSU hasn't had an overtime game yet this season, but played four last season going 2-2. MSU is 21-13 in overtime games since 1983. The Racers have played 11 overtime games in OVC play since 2000 and are 5-6.MSU's most famous overtime game came in 1990 against Michigan State in Knoxville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. That game is still the only time a #16 seed has taken a #1 seed into overtime.
MILES FOR HOOPS:
A year after traveling nearly 12,000 miles in the 2006-07 season, the Murray State Racers have a much easier road in 2007-08. According to Kyle Whelliston of ESPN.com, the Racers have the seventh best travel schedule this season in terms of total miles. Last season the Racers had trips to the east and west coasts. This season's miles are further held down by the fact that MSU will have a BracketBuster game at home. Here are the 10 schools with the fewest miles to travel this season.10 FEWEST MILES (by ESPN.com)
2,153 - Saint Peter's
2,640 - Central Connecticut State
2,666 - Tennessee State
2,698 - Columbia
2,736 - Sacred Heart
2,916 - Murray State
3,133 - Fairleigh Dickinson
3,176 - Quinnipiac
3,332 - Lehigh
10 MOST MILES
24,941 - New Mexico State
21,009 - Nevada
20,831 - Louisiana Tech
20,640 - Texas-Pan American
20,221 - Idaho
20,152 - Utah Valley State
19,943 - San Jose State
19,932 - Saint John's
19,666 - Gonzaga
