Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics
2/28/2022 11:56:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Murray State forward has won the OVC award five times as the Racers have won nine this season for a program record
For the ninth time in the 2021-22 season, the Murray State Racers have a Player of the Week honor in the Ohio Valley Conference after KJ Williams won the award for the fifth time when the league announced its weekly winners for the period of Feb. 21-27.
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As the Racers became just the sixth team in OVC history to win the regular season title undefeated (18-0), Williams continued to be the catalyst for the Racers. In a home win over Belmont on Thursday 76-43, Williams scored 30 points, marking his third 30-point game this season. In Saturday's win at Southeast Missouri 70-68, he scored 23 points and was a big help as MSU overcame a 12-point deficit in the final 6:38 to get the win and finish 18-0 in league play. In the two games, Williams shot 55 percent from the field (22-of-40) and 50 percent from the 3-point line (5-of-10). He hit all four of his free throws and pulled down 13 rebounds.
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With nine Player of the Week awards in 2021-22, the Racers (Williams, Tevin Brown & Justice Hill) have surpassed what Ja Morant earned in 2018-19 as the MSU program record for a single season. The Racers won seven awards each in 2011-12 (Isaiah Canaan & Donte Poole) and 2014-15 (Cameron Payne & Jarvis Williams).
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The Racers (28-2, 18-0 OVC) are the top seed in this week's OVC Tournament at the Ford Center in Evansville. MSU enters the postseason with the most wins in NCAA D-I and tied with South Dakota for the nation's longest win streak at 18.
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2021-22 Murray State Weekly OVC Awards
Nov. 15 KJ Williams, Player of the Week
Nov. 29 KJ Williams, Player of the Week
Dec. 6 DJ Burns, Newcomer of the Week
Dec. 13 Tevin Brown, Player of the Week
Dec. 20 Tevin Brown, Player of the Week
Dec. 27 Tevin Brown, Player of the Week
Jan. 17 Justice Hill, Player of the Week
Jan. 31 KJ Williams, Player of the Week
Feb. 14, KJ Williams, Player of the Week
Feb. 28 KJ Williams, Player of the Week
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OVC Championship Presented By TicketSmarter
The 2022 OVC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships presented by TicketSmarter will be held March 2-5 at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. It marks the fifth-straight year the event will be held at the venue. The Ford Center, which opened in November 2011, is an 11,000-seat arena located in the core of Evansville's downtown district. The 290,000-square foot facility serves as home of Evansville Thunderbolts of the Southern Professional Hockey League and the University of Evansville men's basketball team. The Ford Center also serves as host to numerous sporting events and concerts on an annual basis.
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Ford Center Clear Bag Policy
As part of an ongoing commitment to safety and security, aligning with the best practices at major entertainment and athletics venues, there is now a "Clear Bag Policy" in effect at the Ford Center.
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Racer Basketball Legacy Fund
The new fundraising initiative invites Racer supporters to have a lasting impact on the Murray State men's and women's basketball programs. Those interested in learning more about how you can support the Racer Basketball Legacy Fund initiative may contact Director of Development-Athletics, Taylor Mudd at (270) 809-3517 or tmudd3@murraystate.edu for more information.
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About Murray State Athletics
Located in Murray, Kentucky, the athletics department of Murray State University is a NCAA Division I member and plays in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Racers have 15 programs including men's teams for baseball, basketball, cross country, football and golf and women's teams for basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball, as well as a mixed gender rifle team. Currently a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, the Racers will join the Missouri Valley Conference on July 1, 2022.
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As the Racers became just the sixth team in OVC history to win the regular season title undefeated (18-0), Williams continued to be the catalyst for the Racers. In a home win over Belmont on Thursday 76-43, Williams scored 30 points, marking his third 30-point game this season. In Saturday's win at Southeast Missouri 70-68, he scored 23 points and was a big help as MSU overcame a 12-point deficit in the final 6:38 to get the win and finish 18-0 in league play. In the two games, Williams shot 55 percent from the field (22-of-40) and 50 percent from the 3-point line (5-of-10). He hit all four of his free throws and pulled down 13 rebounds.
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With nine Player of the Week awards in 2021-22, the Racers (Williams, Tevin Brown & Justice Hill) have surpassed what Ja Morant earned in 2018-19 as the MSU program record for a single season. The Racers won seven awards each in 2011-12 (Isaiah Canaan & Donte Poole) and 2014-15 (Cameron Payne & Jarvis Williams).
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The Racers (28-2, 18-0 OVC) are the top seed in this week's OVC Tournament at the Ford Center in Evansville. MSU enters the postseason with the most wins in NCAA D-I and tied with South Dakota for the nation's longest win streak at 18.
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2021-22 Murray State Weekly OVC Awards
Nov. 15 KJ Williams, Player of the Week
Nov. 29 KJ Williams, Player of the Week
Dec. 6 DJ Burns, Newcomer of the Week
Dec. 13 Tevin Brown, Player of the Week
Dec. 20 Tevin Brown, Player of the Week
Dec. 27 Tevin Brown, Player of the Week
Jan. 17 Justice Hill, Player of the Week
Jan. 31 KJ Williams, Player of the Week
Feb. 14, KJ Williams, Player of the Week
Feb. 28 KJ Williams, Player of the Week
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OVC Championship Presented By TicketSmarter
The 2022 OVC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships presented by TicketSmarter will be held March 2-5 at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. It marks the fifth-straight year the event will be held at the venue. The Ford Center, which opened in November 2011, is an 11,000-seat arena located in the core of Evansville's downtown district. The 290,000-square foot facility serves as home of Evansville Thunderbolts of the Southern Professional Hockey League and the University of Evansville men's basketball team. The Ford Center also serves as host to numerous sporting events and concerts on an annual basis.
Â
Ford Center Clear Bag Policy
As part of an ongoing commitment to safety and security, aligning with the best practices at major entertainment and athletics venues, there is now a "Clear Bag Policy" in effect at the Ford Center.
Â
Racer Basketball Legacy Fund
The new fundraising initiative invites Racer supporters to have a lasting impact on the Murray State men's and women's basketball programs. Those interested in learning more about how you can support the Racer Basketball Legacy Fund initiative may contact Director of Development-Athletics, Taylor Mudd at (270) 809-3517 or tmudd3@murraystate.edu for more information.
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About Murray State Athletics
Located in Murray, Kentucky, the athletics department of Murray State University is a NCAA Division I member and plays in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Racers have 15 programs including men's teams for baseball, basketball, cross country, football and golf and women's teams for basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball, as well as a mixed gender rifle team. Currently a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, the Racers will join the Missouri Valley Conference on July 1, 2022.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's BasketballTuesday, October 20
Sunday, October 18
Sunday, October 18
Tuesday, October 13
