Murray State University Athletics
Women's Basketball To Open Friday At Missouri
11/8/2007 6:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The first step in what will become the long walk of Jody Adams' head coaching career begins Friday, when the Murray State women's basketball team opens its 2007-08 season at Missouri.
The Racers went 21-10 last year, finishing in second place in the Ohio Valley Conference at 15-5 in league play. MSU advanced to the championship game of the OVC Tournament, falling 62-60 to regular-season champion Southeast Missouri, and took part in the Women's NIT. It was a fantastic season, but now is the time for the Racers to see if it was just one good season or the first step in building a strong program.
Unlike most teams, who would seek out a less known name to open the season, Murray State and first-year head coach Jody Adams will tip things off at Big 12 Conference member Missouri who, despite finishing 10th in the conference, had an NCAA Rating Percentage Index (RPI) ranked 67th out of the 335 Division I teams. There are also ties to the Tigers among the Racer coaches, as assistant coach Kerensa Barr played four years at Missouri and was an assistant coach there for three years. Also, Adams and Missouri head coach Cindy Stein are longtime friends.
"I can't say enough about Cindy Stein and what she means to women's basketball," Adams said at her weekly press conference on Monday. "She's a great ambassador, someone I look to as a leader. She gives a lot to make the University of Missouri a great place. She is one of my best friends. I look to her as a mentor and someone I look to follow.
"She will have her team ready; there is no doubt about that. It will be a true test for us, something for us to see where we are and evaluate our players and see what steps we need to take."
Murray State last played Missouri on Dec. 3, 2005, in the State Farm Tiger Classic in Columbia, falling to the host Tigers in the championship game of that tournament. The team also met in Columbia on Dec. 28, 1991, which Missouri won 83-64.
Following this season-opening game, Murray State has two home games, against Bethel (Tuesday) and Alabama State (Nov. 17) before playing Thanksgiving weekend in the UTC Panera Bread Challenge.
The first item on the Racer agenda is this first game, and the Racers welcome the challenge awaiting them this Friday.
TIPOFF: Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT, Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Mo.
RADIO: WFGE (103.7 FM, Murray), Josh Perigo with the play-by-play - Listen Live through GoRacers.com
VIDEO STREAMING/TV REPLAY: none available
LIVE STATS: link at the top of this article and on the women's basketball schedule page on GoRacers.com (Gametracker)
