Murray State has been uncharacteristically down the past couple seasons. The learning curve of leveling up to a much more competitive MVC probably has something to do with it. However, the Racers are expected to be on the upswing being picked third in their conference's coaches poll.

Hard to know how good Murray is as they've played one non-D1 and one ACC team, but they hung tough with Pitt up to about 6 mins left in the game. They have stellar guard talent and depth, as well as a lot of age and experience. Pitt seemed to be able to score against the Murray without much friction. Middle has seemed stout offensively thus far with outputs of 79 and 80 games against their two D1 opponents. I think they can keep up. X factor will be how well the Raiders can contain the Racer's backcourt.

That's how I see it happening. There's simply no incentive for Texas and Tennessee's of the world to share money with Vanderbilt and Mississippi State.

It's only a matter of time before they figure out the logistics and the mechanisms.

I didn’t spend as much time scouting Alcorn State as I have other opponents but I was impressed with how put together this team is despite my predetermined notion that SWAC teams are not well coached. They have plenty of seniors to go around and could be a surprise candidate to win the SWAC.

They have two players in particular that stand out: Zy’Nyia White (#0, 5’6” G) and Destiny Brown (#5, 6’3” F). White leads the Lady Braves with 9.5 ppg and does her damage getting to the rim despite her small frame. Not a threat from deep (29% 3FG LY on 56 att.) but is crafty with the ball in her hands. Brown does all the dirty work carrying her team with 6 rpg. She is the tallest player Alcorn State has 5 blocks in 3 games. She wants to put up a lot of shoots but struggles scoring contested buckets down low.

D2- Adams State transfer Sharmayne Finley (#20, 5’10” G) has had a good season with limited minutes. In just 40 minutes through 3 games she has scored 28 points on 48% FG.

It goes without saying this game should not test the Lady Raiders more than they want to run a clean game and get some quality shots up. You have two SWAC games in the next calendar week before your trip to Fort Myers and it’s all about running your offense efficiently, rotate some playing time in the front court, and gain some shooting confidence before Purdue on Thanksgiving.

BlueraiderSC said:

This team is on a roll.

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another match tonight at 8:45 against Vandy at Ford Ice Center

Perimeter Defense can't afford to show up for only 10-15 minutes this afternoon. Need to shoot well from 3 both halves

SpaceRaider said:

37.2%

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Vegas has us as 3.5 point favorites.

This team is on a roll.

FranklinRaider315 said:

Well I ain’t sending in my diploma to be updated if it happens. 😂😂

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If TSU wasn’t an HBCU this would have already happened.

Because it is it will never happen. The state will keep throwing money into this drain until the entire state is broke before they let anything happen.

Good guys 8-4

This will be my daughters first MTSU basketball game. Looking forward to it!

Beat me to it, as I was about to post on here. Good stuff, Oliver!

jakeboldenbrp said:

Down low, Murray has MVC Preseason 2nd-teamer Nick Ellington who is questionable for tomorrow after what appeared like a sprained ankle against Pitt early in the second half. HC Steve Prohm said in the post game presser that x-rays were negative, but I have not seen a report since. It looked nasty and would speculate they won't rush him back early in the season even if it was a week ago.

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Just heard from Adam Wells, Sports Director for WPSD Local 6 in Paducah, KY. He has told me that Ellington IS EXPECTED TO PLAY tomorrow. Surprising news for tomorrow, definitely changes the dynamic of the front court, but you want to beat good teams at their best!

jakeboldenbrp said:

Offers:

• Lauren Hurst, 6'3" PF from Cleveland HS (Cleveland, TN)
  • #1 in TN, #41 Nationally, 2024 (Volleyball) TN Gatorade Player of the Year
  • Most Recent Offers: Florida, Tennessee (re-offer), Clemson, North Carolina, NC State

Off the Board:

• Harmonie Ware, 5'9" SG from Bradley Central HS (Cleveland, TN)
  • #5 in TN, signed to Arkansas
• Tatianna Stovall, 6'1" SF from Bradley Central (Cleveland, TN)
  • #6 in TN, signed to Kennesaw State

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Putting a bow on this signing class with some news earlier this week. The two Bradley Central standouts made late commitments but signed early were Harmonie Ware committing to Arkansas and Tatianna Stovall (2022 Class 3A State Tournament MVP) made a surprising commitment to Kennesaw State. Look forward to those conference matchups in the coming seasons. Only one still left out there is Lauren Hurst who has been a mystery this season with P4 offers rolling in, my instincts would say she'll sign with UTK given that was her last OV and it's not far from Cleveland. I wouldn't throw out her HC Poppie connection in Clemson, could be a steal for a rebuilding Clemson program.

Also some names that didn't sign this week (not yet anyways):

Jaidynn Askins (Jackson Southside HS, TN) verbal to Murray State
Ace Austin (Piedmont, AL) verbal to Alabama
Channah Gannon (Coffee County HS, TN) verbal to Southern Indiana

I'm sure we aren't pursuing any of these players, but I like to pin these names for future matchups. Fun storylines especially with the revolving transfer portal.

Predarat said:

Maybe Ring-A-Ling is right.

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How so, I must have missed it

Murray State has played both end of the spectrums with a 113-37 home win against Bethel (NAIA) and a 83-68 road loss to Pitt last Saturday (Preseason ACC 7th, Last 4 Byes/11-seed in current Lunardi bracketology). Much like MTSU, this team has a lot contributing seniors (5 to be exact) and some of their most impressive offensive weapons were acquired in the transfer portal.

Murray State has one of the best, if not the best, backcourts we will see this season. Senior Terence Harcum (#9, 6'3" CG) transferred from App State where he averaged 12 ppg on 36% 3FG. The Racers' offense looks very in control when Harcum had the ball facilitate through his hands, he led the starters in +/- against Pitt with -4 before fouling out after playing 34 minutes. He lead the team with 15 points. MVC Preseason First-teamer Jacobi Wood (#24, 6'2" CG) averaged 12.5 ppg last season and looks on pace to better that this year. Great finisher around the rim. The two aforementioned guards have attempted nearly 60% of Murray's shot attempts.

Amongst the rest of the field is Arkansas-Pine Bluff senior transfer Kylen Milton (#0, 6'4" SG) scored a team-high 19 points against Bethel and added another 11 points against Pitt last Saturday. He shot an impressive 17 ppg, 51% FG and 35% 3FG in the SWAC last year.

Down low, Murray has MVC Preseason 2nd-teamer Nick Ellington who is questionable for tomorrow after what appeared like a sprained ankle against Pitt early in the second half. HC Steve Prohm said in the post game presser that x-rays were negative, but I have not seen a report since. It looked nasty and would speculate they won't rush him back early in the season even if it was a week ago. That leaves Alden Applewhite (#13, 6'7" F) taking minutes at the 5 leaving the Racers at a size disadvantage in the front court.

My keys for Saturday is to limit one of the guards. I think the main target should be Harcum who scored just 6 points, 0 assists in the second half against Pitt after leading his team with 9 points, 3 assists in the first half. Their guards will score but keeping the ball out of Harcum's hands will be pivotal. Secondly, take advantage of their thin front court. That means dominate the rebounding battle like you did against Evansville (who is bigger than Murray), score in the paint, and force their guards to score from outside. I expect another big game from Mostafa, and someone off the bench to get something going on both ends (I like Alston in a game like this). Exciting game seeing us 3-0 early in the season. I'd define it as a "swing" game that could propel us to double-digit wins in the non-conference slate.

MTTim said:

I wouldn't be surprised if their was a merger of the two schools.

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Yeah, MTSU will become tsu-Murfreesboro

blue rai said:

Saw where their enrollment is down to only 6k but the titans are still providing sky boxes in the new stadium and they can still play their football games there. Be careful what you ask for because stranger things have happened …….

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I wouldn't be surprised if their was a merger of the two schools.