Murray State Racers
Ohio Valley (27-4, 16-2)
With an overall record of 27-4, Murray State was in the conversation for an at-large bid. Their losses came against Alabama, Auburn, Belmont and Jacksonville State so there was not a bad loss on the resume. But the Racers did not have to sweat it out on Selection Sunday thanks to beating Belmont 77-65 in the OVC title game and securing an automatic bid to the tournament.
Big Wins: 3/2 Austin Peay (94-83), 3/8 vs Jacksonville State (76-74), 3/9 vs Belmont (77-65)
Bad Losses: 11/26 at Alabama (72-78), 1/24 Belmont (66-79), 1/31 at Jacksonville State (68-88)
Coach: Matt McMahon
Why They Can Surprise:
Sophomore Ja Morant has garnered plenty of attention this season, and rightfully so. The 6-3 guard averages 24.6 points, 10.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals. He is a good enough shooter to keep the opposition honest and when a defender gets a little too close, he will attack the basket and finish himself or find a teammate. Morant shoots just 33.6 percent from beyond the arc, but shoots 50.3 percent overall and that is a very impressive number for a guard who takes as many shots as Morant. Shaq Buchanan and Tevin Brown are the other perimeter scoring threats on the team and are often the beneficiaries of Morant’s playmaking abilities. If the opposition keys in too much on Morant, those two can make them pay.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Darnell Cowart and KJ Williams form a solid frontcourt duo. Those two have had a good season and will add some scoring, but they will both be tested on the other end of the floor. The Racers have not played too many NCAA caliber teams this year and the best team they have beaten is Belmont. They kept it close against Alabama and Auburn and the pressure will be on Cowart, Williams and reserve forward Devin Gilmore to be strong on the glass and defensively so the Murray State offense can have an opportunity to pull off an upset or two.
Probable Starters:
Shaq Buchanan, Senior, Guard, 13.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg
Ja Morant, Sophomore, Guard, 24.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 10.0 apg
Tevin Brown, Freshman, Guard, 11.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg
Darnell Cowart, Junior, Forward, 10.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg
KJ Williams, Freshman, Forward, 7.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Key Role Players:
Jaiveon Eaves, Junior, Guard, 3.7 ppg
Devin Gilmore, Sophomore, Forward,3.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 83.3 (15th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.8 (76, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 49.6 (7, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.0 (44, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.8 (165, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.8 (153, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 73.9 (69, 3)
Rebound Margin: 3.8 (62, 3)
Assists Per Game: 18.1 (6, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.1 (88, 3)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to West Virginia |
| 2015 | NIT | First Round win over UTEP |
| 2015 | NIT | Second Round win over Tulsa |
| 2015 | NIT | Quarterfinal loss to Old Dominion |
| 2014 | CIT | First Round win over Missouri State |
| 2014 | CIT | Second Round win over Nebraska-Omaha |
| 2014 | CIT | Quarterfinal win over Towson |
| 2014 | CIT | Semifinal win over Pacific |
| 2014 | CIT | Final win over Yale |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Colorado State |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Marquette |
| 2011 | NIT | First Round loss to Missouri State |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Vanderbilt |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Butler |
| 2006 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to North Carolina |
| 2004 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Illinois |
| 2002 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Georgia |
*all team stats through 3/10
