Murray State University Athletics
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Roundball Revival - Kennedy's Racers Take On South Bend
1/15/2008 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Indiana South Bend
(13-7) (0-0 CCAA)
at
Murray State
(8-7) (5-3 OVC)
Tonight 7 p.m.
RSEC
Murray, Ky.
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The Murray State Racers are back at the Regional Special Events Center Tuesday to host the Titans of Indiana-South Bend. The two have never played before. The Racers are carrying a three-game winning streak into the contest, all three Ohio Valley Conference games. Last week, Murray State knocked off the two undefeated teams in the league with a Jan. 7 win at Southeast Missouri State (79-51) and a Jan. 10 win (82-70) against Austin Peay. The wins moved MSU to 5-3 in the league and into solo third place. Bruce Carter paced the way for the Racers with 48 points in the pair of games and shared OVC Player of the Week honors with UT-Martin's Lester Hudson.
The MSU defense is also having good times during the winning streak. Currently in league games, MSU ranks first in the OVC in field goal percentage defense and three point percentage defense. It was about this time last season when the Racers' defense began to dominate opponents.
The Racers are 6-1 at the RSEC this season and 111-22 (.834) in their 10th season in the building. MSU has fashioned a mark of 76-14 (.844) against OVC opponents. Their only loss at home came against Eastern Kentucky 59-58 Dec. 5th. The game with Indiana-South Bend is the second to last non-league game they'll play this regular season. The Racers still have their Bracket Buster assignment at home in February.
The Indiana-South Bend Titans are an NAIA team and members of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Currently, the Titans are ranked 3rd in scoring offense in their league (78.4 points per game) and 6th in scoring defense (giving 76.7 ppg.) The Titans are 13-7 and have won three straight including an 81-68 win at Brescia Jan. 8. Tyler Leighton led the way with 26 points, while Qdar Owens added 23.
GAME NOTES
RANKING THE FIELD:
The Rating Percentage Index (RPI) is one of the formulas used by the NCAA in rate college basketball. There are currently 341 teams in NCAA D-I. The rankings do not count wins or losses against non-D-I teams. As of Jan. 14.RANK TEAM REC
99 Western Kentucky 10-5
118 Chattanooga 10-5
120 Austin Peay 11-7
140 Belmont 9-7
156 Rider 10-6
213 Murray State 7-7
217 SE Missouri State 9-7
241 Morehead State 5-9
248 UT-Martin 6-10
254 Tennessee State 4-10
258 Arkansas State 6-8
262 Eastern Kentucky 5-9
307 Tennessee Tech 5-11
311 Samford 5-9
340 Jacksonville State 2-12
341 Eastern Illinois 1-15
A WIN MEANS:
The Racers are 9-7 overall and have won four straight and have matched their longest win streak since Billy Kennedy began coaching here. Kennedy will be 25-21 at MSU. The Racers will be 112-22 (.835) all-time at the RSEC and 36-8 (.818) all-time in non-league games.A LOSS MEANS:
The Racers are 8-8 and have snapped a three game winning streak. The Racers are 111-23 (.828) all-time at the RSEC and 35-9 (.795) against non-league games.HOLLOWAY AND THE THREE:
Take a look at the all-time three point shooters at Murray State and how Tyler Holloway ranks. At the moment he has attempted an 305 in his career and has hit 121.MSU CAREER MADE 3-POINT SHOTS
2. Don Mann 1986-89 204
3. Justin Burdine 1998-02 198
4. Marcus Brown 1993-96 173
Paul King 1987-91 173
6. Chris Shumate 1999-04 170
7. Rick Jones 2002-04 133
8. Antoine Whelchel 2000-04 124
9. Tyler Holloway 2005- 123
William Moore 1994-95 123
Aaron Page 1996-00 107
12. Aubrey Reese 1997-00 105
MSU CAREER 3-POINT PERCENTAGE
2. Don Mann 1986-89 .421
3. Cedric Gumm 1990-94 .418
4. Chris Shumate 1999-04 .412
5. De'Teri Mayes 1996-98 .411
6. Terence Brooks 1987-89 .404
7. William Moore 1994-95 .403
8. Paul King 1987-91 .402
9. Rick Jones 2002-04 .393
10. Tyler Holloway 2005- .392
11. Justin Burdine 1998-02 .349
SENIOR STREAK:
Bruce Carter really picked up his game in the period from the the Belmont game (Dec. 30) through the Austin Peay game (Jan. 10). In this five game stretch Carter had five straight double-figure scoring games. His 26 points against APSU was two off his career best of 28 from last season against Eastern Illinois. He averaged 18.2 ppg. With his 22 against Southeast Missouri the Monday before the APSU game, Carter has scored 48 points in two games for an average of 24.0 ppg. Carter shot .647 (33-of-51) during the five games and .476 from three range (10-of-21).HOME COOKIN:
With the Racers' win over Rider Nov. 10, they have now won 18 straight home openers and have fashioned quite a home court advantage at the RSEC. In its 10th season of games, MSU is 111-22 for a winning percentage of .834.Here is how the Racers compare with the rest of the teams in the OVC since the 2003-04 season.
Team 07-08 Since 03-04 Pct.
Murray State 6-1 53-12 .815
Austin Peay 6-1 49-11 .816
Eastern KY 5-3 45-16 .737
Samford 4-5 42-18 .700
Tennessee St. 2-2 32-21 .603
Jacksonville St. 4-4 38-25 .603
SE Missouri St. 6-1 34-26 .566
Morehead St. 5-0 33-25 .568
UT-Martin 4-3 30-25 .545
Eastern Illinois 2-6 25-34 .423
IF THERE IS OT:
MSU played its first overtime game this season Jan. 3rd at Eastern Illinois in an 83-80 loss. MSU played four last season going 2-2. MSU is 21-14 in overtime games since 1983. The Racers have played 11 overtime games in OVC play since 2000 and are 5-7.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.
