Racers Get NIT Spot - Matched with Nevada - Murray State University Athletics

Wednesday, March 18

9 p.m.

Murray State

Nevada

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

Racers Get NIT Spot - Matched with Nevada

3/15/2026 10:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball

2026 NIT Bracket

The Racers are in the National Invitational Tournament for the ninth time in program history

The Murray State Racers accepted an invitation Sunday night to play the Nevada Wolf Pack in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in a 9 p.m. Central Time game Wednesday in Reno.

The Racers (20-12), who last played at State Farm Arch Madness in a 92-79 defeat to the UIC Flames, are part of the NIT field for a ninth time after their most recent appearance in 2015.

The game will be the first time the two teams have faced off.

Nevada (22-12) hosts the Racers at Lawlor Events Center as the pair are part of the Auburn Regional. The winner of the Racers and Pack will advance to the second round to face the winner of George Mason vs Liberty game that is played Tuesday night.

The Racers hope to find the magic they had early in the 2025-26 season when they started the rookie season of Head Coach Ryan Miller with a 16-3 mark and a 12-game winning streak. By the end of the season, the Racers still managed a 12-8 mark in Missouri Valley Conference play to grab a share of third place. MSU saw the trio of Fred King, Roman Domon and Javon Jackson earn All-MVC honors. King, was named MVC Newcomer of the Year and was a member of the All-Newcomer Team. King also gained a spot on the All-Defensive Team in the MVC. Domon burst onto the scene to become the MVC Freshman of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year, while also getting a nod to the MVC All-Freshman, All-Bench Team and All-MVC Third Team. Jackson, the Racers' leading scorer was All-MVC Second Team.

MVC Games in the NIT
Wednesday, March 18 -- Kent State at #4 Illinois State, 7 pm CT (ESPN+)
Wednesday, March 18 -- #2 Dayton at Bradley, 8 pm CT (ESPNU)
Wednesday, March 18 -- Murray State at #2 Nevada, 9 pm CT (ESPN+)
Wednesday, March 18 -- UIC at #2 California, 10 pm CT (ESPN2)

In eight previous trips to the NIT, the Racers are 4-8 all-time including a run to the quarterfinals the last time they were in the bracket in 2015.

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