Date (Time): Jan. 14 (4 p.m. CT)
Murray State: 4-6 (1-4 OVC) (4L)
Opponent: UT Martin Skyhawks 3-6 (1-4 OVC) (L6)
Site (Venue): Martin, Tenn. (Elam Center)
Radio: Froggy 103.7 FM (PxP: Neal Bradley, Analyst: Kenny Roth)
Streaming Audio: Froggy103.com & GoRacers.com
TV: None
Streaming Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
Twitter In Game: @MSURacers
All-Time Series vs. UTM (Streak): Racers lead 43-7 (W6)
All-Time Series in Martin (Streak): Racers lead 24-5 (W3)
First Meeting: 1979, Racers won at home 75-65
Last Meeting: Feb. 2020, Racers won at UTM 84-62
Last 5 vs. UTM: MSU has won 5
MUR Next Game: Jan. 21, home vs Jacksonville State (ESPN+)
MUR Next Road Game: Feb. 1 at SE Missouri (ESPN+)
Racers Meet Skyhawks For 61st Time
The Murray State Racers (4-6, 1-4) take on the UT Martin Skyhawks (2-6, 1-4) Saturday in Martin, Tennessee. The day is a women’s/men’s doubleheader with the MSU women playing at 1 p.m. with the men’s game to follow at 4 p.m. The game is the first of two meetings between MSU and UTM with the second game being played in Murray at the CFSB Center (Feb. 13). The Racers are trying for their first road win of the 2020-21 season.
The Racers and Skyhawks are meeting for the 61st time in their history and for the 58th time as Ohio Valley Conference opponents. Since the Skyhawks last win over the Racers at the 2017 OVC Tournament, Murray State has won the last six games and 10-of-13 since 2015. MSU’s last loss at the Elam Center was also in 2017 when UTM won back-to-back games. The Racers are 24-5 all-time at UTM. Saturday’s game will mark the Racers’ first game since Jan. 7 at Eastern Illinois.
Racers Seek To Reverse Recent Trends
One of the best things about college basketball are the mountains of statistics and information that accumulates as the season progresses. A lot can be gleaned even in small sample sizes. For example, take the Racers’ eight games this season against NCAA D-I teams. MSU is -23 in turnovers, -18 in made free throws, -31 in free throw attempts and -35 in personal fouls. MSU is slumping from the 3-point line as well, hitting only 24 percent (15-of-63), while OVC opponents are hitting 39 percent (24-of-71). Even the most casual fan knows it is hard to win when a team suffers in these statistical areas. On the positive side, the Racers are third in OVC play at the free throw line making 77 percent (75-of-98). MSU just needs to get to the line more and make some shots. The Racers want to get back on the winning track and avoid their first five-game losing skid since 2015.
OVC Teams Learn To Be Patient & Pivot
Due to established OVC protocols, the conference and its member institutions are playing games and seeing games first postponed and then rescheduled as the most important stat is the return of the latest testing results. With a national average of about 75 percent of regularly scheduled games being played in NCAA D-I, the OVC has completed just shy of 80 percent of it’s games through Jan. 14. The OVC has been able to complete 105-of-132 games. However, midway through January, the league is 17-of-27 for 63 percent with 10 games from this month that still have to be made up on Mondays or Tuesdays. Non-conference games will not be made up. The Racers’ game last Saturday at SIUE was postponed and a Feb. 9 makeup date has been set in Edwardsville, Illinois on a Tuesday at 2 p.m. MSU’s game at SEMO (postponed from Thursday) will be made up on Monday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m.
NCAA Announces Bold Plans For March Madness
Determined to stage the NCAA Tournament in March, the national organization announced the Big Dance will be played in and around Indianapolis at several different locations. The Final Four was already going to be played in Lucas Oil Stadium, but now it will have two courts in it to stage tournament games. Butler’s historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, Banker’s Life Arena (where NBA’s Pacers play) and the Indianapolis Fairgrounds will also be game sites as well as the home courts for Purdue and Indiana University. Lots of details to be decided, but the thought of the Racers getting to the NCAA Tournament for the 18th time seem to warm the heart in the cold winter as they try to get on the right track at UTM.
What’s Next For The Racers
The Racers come home next week to start a four-game home stand at the CFSB Center. MSU hosts Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech on Jan. 21 & 23.
Froggy 103.7 FM – Flagship Station For Racer Basketball
In his 30th season, the “Voice of the Racers” and Murray State Hall of Famer, Neal Bradley is on the call again for the 2020-21 season. Former MSU assistant coach Kenny Roth provides analysis. All MSU games can be heard online at Froggy103.com and GoRacers.com. The game is also ready to air on ESPN+
Check GoRacers.com for the latest basketball schedule information
Men’s Schedule
Women’s Schedule
About MSU Athletics Mobile Ticketing
Beginning with the 2020-21 basketball season, all Murray State Athletics tickets will be distributed via mobile delivery and no physical ticket sheets will be printed in accordance to guidelines from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Season ticket holders can use the http://am.ticketmaster.com/murray site to access and manage their tickets. Going mobile is the most convenient and flexible way to receive and manage tickets while increasing protection against fraud. Mobile tickets reduce the risk of lost, stolen, counterfeit or forgotten tickets and quick and contactless entry into the venue.
FAQ About Mobile Ticketing
Racer Restart – Basketball
Through the Racer Restart initiative and planning process, Murray State University will follow a collaborative, thoughtful and proactive approach in re-opening campus. This process includes athletics and our goal to offer you the same Racer brand you have enjoyed over the years in a way that is safe for everyone – the student-athletes, the coaches, the staff and the best fans in the OVC, Racer Nation.
FAQ About Racer Restart For Basketball
About Murray State Athletics
Located in Murray, Kentucky, the athletics department at Murray State University is a member of NCAA D-I and plays in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Racers have 15 programs including men’s teams for baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf and women’s teams for basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball. MSU also has a rifle program that is coed. The Racers are one of the founding members of the Ohio Valley Conference from its beginnings in 1948. Kevin Saal has served as director of athletics since March 2019.
Follow the Racers on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and on the web at GoRacers.com.
– SHOES UP –
Dave Winder
Associate AD – Media Relations