Murray State
11/16/2024 | 3 p.m.
WGNS (101.9 FM | 1450 AM | 100.5 FM)
11/16/2024 | 3 p.m.
WGNS (101.9 FM | 1450 AM | 100.5 FM)
BASKETBALL Middle Tennessee vs Murray State, 3PM, Saturday, November 16, 2024
- Thread starter SpaceRaider
- Start date
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.
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.
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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!
This will be my daughters first MTSU basketball game. Looking forward to it!
Old Foes Meet Again - Racers at MTSU Saturday - Murray State University Athletics
Murray State University Athletics
Blue Raiders set to face Murray State Saturday - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – One of the most played matchups in Middle Tennessee history will add another result to its tally Saturday morning, when Murray State travels
goblueraiders.com
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.
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.
No real surprises here. Mostly the same guys on this roster with some new contributors like Mustafa, Counter, maybe a little help from Lands and Alston.
But, absolutely nothing noteworthy or game changing though that will make this season much different. Is this the worst defensive team we've had with Nick ? Our opponents have basically been playing against air. Evansville finally started missing, but a moderately decent team like Murray St. is going to hit the high % shots which we seem to love to give them. Pathetic energy on defense and basically no pressure on the ball whatsoever.
Pretty sad to see us fold like a cheap tent the second we play a decent team. Can't say I expected anything different, but still F'ing annoying.
So ready to move on
But, absolutely nothing noteworthy or game changing though that will make this season much different. Is this the worst defensive team we've had with Nick ? Our opponents have basically been playing against air. Evansville finally started missing, but a moderately decent team like Murray St. is going to hit the high % shots which we seem to love to give them. Pathetic energy on defense and basically no pressure on the ball whatsoever.
Pretty sad to see us fold like a cheap tent the second we play a decent team. Can't say I expected anything different, but still F'ing annoying.
So ready to move on
I left at halftime, usually that's not something I do for mbb, but I didn't see much energy or fight out there on court or the bench.
Did I originally think we had the players to compete against a decent basketball team? Yes. Do I still think we have good enough players to compete against a team like Murray St if coached well? Yes. Did I originally doubt the quality of our coaches to get the best out of these players? Based on past experience, yes. Did I hope that maybe this group of players could be good enough to mask a weak coaching staff & still give us a quality team? I was so ready to see a competitive men's team I was practically ok with it.
Are the results of this game all for the best concerning a coach with a lame duck contract? A resounding "Yes!". We're going on 7 years of the same old same old. At year's end it's time to terminate CNM. He's a nice guy who just doesn't have the coaching chops needed to succeed at this level.
Are the results of this game all for the best concerning a coach with a lame duck contract? A resounding "Yes!". We're going on 7 years of the same old same old. At year's end it's time to terminate CNM. He's a nice guy who just doesn't have the coaching chops needed to succeed at this level.
