Murray State University Basketball
Murray State University is located in Murray, Kentucky and is home to the Racers, the school’s NCAA Division I men’s basketball team. Since the school’s founding in 1922, the Murray State Racers have consistently been one of the top teams in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). The team has won eight regular season and four tournament championships since the OVC was established in 1948. The Racers have made seven trips to the NCAA tournament and have won two games in the Big Dance.
Murray State’s Performance History
The Murray State Racers have an impressive history of success. The team has won the OVC regular season championship eight times, the OVC tournament championship four times, and has made seven trips to the NCAA tournament. The Racers have also made several appearances in the NIT, most recently in 2011.
The team’s most successful season came in 1987 when they won the school’s only outright OVC regular season championship. The Racers went on to win the OVC tournament and make their first ever trip to the NCAA tournament. The team went on to win two games in the tournament before losing to eventual national champion Indiana.
Current Team Performance
The Murray State Racers are currently one of the top teams in the OVC. The team has won two regular season championships in the last five years and has made two trips to the NCAA tournament in the last three years. The Racers have also made two appearances in the NIT in the last five years.
The team is currently led by head coach Matt McMahon. Coach McMahon has been at the helm of the Racers since 2015 and has led the team to two OVC regular season championships, two OVC tournament championships, and two NCAA tournament appearances.
Notable Murray State Players
Murray State has produced many great players over the years. Some of the most notable players include:
- Jeff Martin, a four-time All-American and the school’s all-time leading scorer.
- Isaiah Canaan, a two-time All-OVC player who was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NBA Draft.
- Ed Daniel, a two-time All-OVC player who played in the NBA for two seasons.
- Cameron Payne, a three-time All-OVC player who was drafted in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft.
Strengths of Murray State’s Program
The Murray State Racers have many strengths that have helped them become one of the top teams in the OVC. One of the team’s greatest strengths is their coaching staff. Head coach Matt McMahon has done a great job of building a successful program over the past five seasons. He has done a great job of recruiting talented players and has developed a system that has allowed the team to be successful.
The Racers also have a great home court advantage. The CFSB Center is a great venue for basketball and the fans are always loud and passionate. This helps create a great atmosphere for the team and makes it difficult for opponents to come in and win.
Weaknesses of Murray State’s Program
The Murray State Racers have a few weaknesses that could be improved upon. One of the team’s weaknesses is their lack of depth. The team has only nine players on their roster and this can be a problem when injuries or foul trouble arise.
The team also lacks a consistent outside shooter. The Racers have had difficulty making shots from beyond the arc and this has been a problem at times. The team needs to find a player who can knock down shots from the outside in order to be successful.
Conclusion
The Murray State Racers are one of the top teams in the OVC and have had a great deal of success over the past five seasons. The team is led by a great coaching staff and has a great home court advantage. The Racers have some weaknesses, such as a lack of depth and a lack of an outside shooter, but these can be addressed in the future.
Overall, Is Murray State a Good Team?
Yes, Murray State is a good team. The Racers have had a great deal of success over the past five seasons, including two regular season championships, two tournament championships, and two NCAA tournament appearances. The team has some weaknesses, but they can be addressed in the future. Overall, Murray State is a good team and a great program.