by RacerJoeD » August 25th, 2017, 12:07 pm
Story Links
2017-18 MEN'S SCHEDULE
MURRAY, Ky. — For the first time in the Power-5 era, a Southeastern Conference team will visit the CFSB Center when the Racers host the Auburn Tigers on December 19th.
"We're excited to announce a schedule that includes 17 homes games this season," said Murray State coach Matt McMahon. "It's a challenging schedule, but one that will prepare us for OVC play."
The home schedule also features regional rivals Southern Illinois from the Missouri Valley Conference and Middle Tennessee from Conference USA.
"The atmosphere is electric at the Bank when we face off against long-time rivals," said McMahon. "We love playing in front of Racer Nation, but it's especially fun when MTSU and SIU come to town."
The non-conference schedule rounds out with an early test at Wright State, a return trip to Illinois State (Dec. 9) and a game at Saint Louis against the Billikens.
"It's a balanced schedule, but one I believe will pay dividends down the road," states Coach McMahon.
Murray State will compete for its 25th Ohio Valley Conference championship when they start league play in late December with four straight home games. The OVC moves to an 18-game schedule for 2017-18 which means the Racers will play Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech both home and away during the first year of a three year rotation.
The Racers will be led by seniors Jonathan Stark and Terrell Miller, both 1st team all-conference performers last season. Guard Byron Hawkins, a transfer from Towson scoring more than 600 points in two seasons, will play his first season as a junior for the Racers. Jalen Dupree and Brion Sanchious will team with newcomers Devin Gilmore and Anthony Smith up front. Highly touted freshman Ja Morant and junior college all-American Shaq Buchanan, along with newcomers Tevin Brown, Brion Whitley, Zach Hopewell and sophomore Jachai Taylor are expected to make an impact this season.
The 93rd season of Racer Basketball will open with a November 2nd exhibition game against McKendree before opening up the regular season on November 10th versus Brescia.
"We've had a tremendous off-season led by our seniors and returning all-conference players, Jonathan Stark and Terrell Miller, said Coach McMahon. "We're definitely looking forward to the start of practice next month."
The CFSB Center enters its 20th season as the home for the Racers. Murray State enjoys one of the top home court advantages in the country. The Racers are 231-42 (.846) overall and 137-27 (.835) in OVC play. The venue will showcase a new state-of-the-art, center hung videoboard for the upcoming year.
The OVC Tournament (March 1-3) is moving to the Ford Center in Evansville for the first time in league history. The Racers have won the tournament title 15 times.
"It's all shaping up for what could be a very special season for Racer Basketball," said Director of Athletics Allen Ward. "I know how hard Coach McMahon, his staff, and this group of young men are working to bring home a championship."
2017-18 Murray State Men's Basketball Schedule OOC
NOVEMBER
Thu 02 Home McKendree (Exhibition), 7PM
Fri 10 Home Brescia , 7PM
Mon 13 Home Middle Tennessee, 7PM
Sat 18 Away Wright State, TBA
Sat 25 Home Southern Illinois, 7PM
Tue 28 Home Harris Stowe, 7PM
DECEMBER
Sat 02 Home Florida A&M, 7PM
Sat 09 Away Illinois State, TBA
Tue 12 Away Saint Louis, TBA
Sat 16 Home Marist, 7PM
Tue 19 Home Auburn, 7PM
Fri 22 Away Detroit Mercy, TBA
