The Murray State Racers and Belmont Bruins will meet again in one of the top rivalries in college basketball. The two teams have a history of facing each other in the Ohio Valley Conference, with the Racers winning seven out of the 18 games they played together. But now, they will meet in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) at the Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
Both teams have had strong performances in their new league home. The Racers have a record of 10-8 and 5-3 in the MVC while the Bruins have a record of 13-6 and 6-2. In their latest games, the Racers snapped a two-game losing streak with an 81-64 win at home against UIC while the Bruins extended their winning streak to four with a 76-72 win at home against UNI.
However, winning on the road in the MVC is not easy. The Racers and Bruins are each 2-2 in MVC road games so far. With Missouri State’s win over Indiana State, road teams have a winning percentage of .375 so far in the 2022-23 season in MVC play.
Two players to watch for the Racers are Brian Moore and JaCobi Wood. The two had matching 21-point performances in the UIC game, marking the first time this season for the Racers to have a pair of 20-point players. In the last four games, Wood has been shooting well from the field and the 3-point line, with 15 assists. Moore has also been shooting well from the field with eight assists.
The matchup between these two old rivals is sure to be exciting. With both teams showing they can compete well in their new league home, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in this game. The game tips off at 8 p.m. at the Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
Opponent: Belmont Bruins Site (Venue): Nashville, Tenn. (Curb Event Center)
Date/Game Time: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2023/8 p.m.
Audio: WFGS Froggy 103.7FM (PxP: Neal Bradley, Analyst: Kenny Roth)
TV: CBSSN (PxP: Dave Ryan Analyst: BJ Taylor
Live Stats: GoRacers.com Twitter In Game: @MSURacers
MUR Record (Streak): 10-8 (W1) BEL Record (Streak): 13-6 (W4)
MUR Last Game: Won 81-64 home vs UIC (Jan. 14)
BEL Last Game: Won home vs UNI 76-72 (Jan. 14)
All-Time Series vs. BEL: Racers trail 11-12
First Meeting: 1986 Racers won at home 94-92
Last Meeting: 2022 Racers won at home 76-43
Last Overtime: 2013 Bruins won at home 70-68
Largest MSU Win: +39, 1996 home 84-45 Largest MSU Loss: -17, 2007 in Chattanooga 84-67
Last Five vs BEL: 2-3
Next MSU Game: Jan. 21 home vs Indiana State Next MSU Away Game: Jan. 24 at Southern Illinois
Next BEL Game: Jan. 22 at Bradley Next BEL Home Game: Jan. 29 vs Drake
Murray State Racers 10-8 (5-3) MVC)
Head Coach: Steve Prohm Alma Mater: Alabama (1997)
at MUR: 5th season (114-37) Career: 11th season (211-132) Missouri Valley: 5-3
Belmont Bruins 13-6 (6-2 MVC)
Head Coach: Casey Alexander Alma Mater: Belmont (1995)
at BEL: 4th season (78-19) Career: 12th season (215-139) Missouri Valley: 6-2
