Murray State University Athletics
Racers Earn ESPNU Game In BracketBusters
2/1/2010 10:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Murray State Racers were paired with the Morgan State Bears when the 2010 BracketBusters pairings were announced Monday evening on ESPNU.
The Racers and Bears will tangle at MSU's Regional Special Events Center Saturday, Feb. 20, at 11 a.m. central time on ESPNU.
The Racers will make a return game in Baltimore, Md., at some point over the next two seasons.
Racers To Enjoy National Attention
The BracketBusters series is big for the Racers to have a chance at national exposure on ESPNU, as this is the first time the Racers will be featured on one of the 11 television games on the ESPN family of networks.
"What a great opportunity to showcase Murray State basketball on national television," MSU athletics director Allen Ward said. "It's crucial that we have a big-time atmosphere at the RSEC for that game, not only for the team, but for what it means to the program."
"I have no doubt the community, students, and all Racer fans will come out in full force and show the nation just what kind of championship tradition we have at Murray State."
Fans can contact the MSU ticket office at the RSEC at (270) 809-3000 for information about tickets for the game.
Kennedy-Bozeman Connection
The Racers have never played Morgan State, but head coach Billy Kennedy knows Todd Bozeman, the head coach of the Bears, very well.
Kennedy worked under Bozeman at California in the 1990's and was part of the Bears success in making three NCAA Tournament appearances in four seasons.
"I know Morgan State is a team that has gone to post-season play the last two seasons and I have great respect for them and Todd," Kennedy said. "I don't like playing my friends, Todd and I talk quite a bit and he's a good friend. They'll be well coached and Morgan State will come in here ready to play."
The Bears-Racers Match-Up
MSU will run into a Morgan State team that is making a name for itself as well.
The Bears have won their last seven games and stand 7-0 and in first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and have a 15-7 overall record.
Morgan State has a non-league win this season over Arkansas 97-92 (Nov. 24), and had losses at Louisville 90-81 (Nov. 22) and to Eastern Kentucky 76-62 (Dec. 29).
They defeated Norfolk State in overtime 100-94 in their last time out on Sunday.
The Bears are led by Reggie Holmes, who is fifth in NCAA D-I with a scoring average of 22.7 points per game, while Kevin Thompson is fourth with 12.0 rebounds per game.
The Racers are rolling along at 20-3 and have won their last 11 games for the nation's second-longest winning streak. Their 11-0 mark is the best in the Ohio Valley Conference in which MSU has won its last 18 regular season league games.
MSU is ranked second in the nation in field goal percentage (.515) and fourth in steals per game with 11.0.
As of Feb. 1, the Racers had an RPI rank of 92, while the Bears were 135. MSU is ranked seventh in this week's Mid-Major Top-25 Poll, while the Bears broke in this week 20th ranked
BracketBusters History/Schedule
MSU has had success since the BracketBusters event was established in 2004 and have played five games posting a 3-2 record. Here are all of MSU's games in the ESPNU BracketBusters.
02-21-09 Louisiana Tech Home Lost 60-69
02-23-08 Indiana State Home Lost 62-79
02-17-07 Rider Away Won 58-51
02-18-06 Illinois-Chicago Home Won 72-68
02-19-05 Rice Away Won 69-63
MSU is 3-2 in the return games after an 87-81 loss Dec. 15 this season at Louisiana Tech.
Here are all of the BracketBusters pairings for teams in the Ohio Valley Conference
Road Games
Morehead State at Illinois State
Southeast Missouri at Miami (Ohio)
SIU Edwardsville at Cal State Fullerton
Tennessee State at Central Michigan
Tennessee Tech at Appalachian State
UT Martin at Ball State
Home Games
Morgan State at Murray State (ESPNU)
Oral Roberts at Austin Peay
Northern Illinois at Eastern Illinois
Winthrop at Eastern Kentucky
Presbyterian at Jacksonville State
