After several games, the Murray State Racers Men's Basketball team is finding ways to win through good defense, despite struggling offensively. On Sounds Good, Tracy Ross speaks with "Voice of the Racers" Neal Bradley about the beginning of their season, catching up on the last several games. Bradley says they will need to find different ways to score and play with more offensive confidence.
November 13 vs Harris-Stowe, 105-55
The Racers were expected to have a large win in this game, they played well. It was a great night for DeMarcus Croaker, Gee Mcghee, Wayne Langston and Justin Seymour.
November 17 vs Middle Tennessee, 76-65
Middle Tennessee returned all of their starters from their team last year. Though they are a good team, the Racers had a good defensive game. However, they had an issue with shooting. Stand-out players this game were Wayne Langston and Jeffery Moss.
November 20 vs Georgia, 52-63
Bradley says he thought the Racers would shoot better. They had a low percentage from the field and three point range. Though Racers had an early lead, they were outscored the rest of the game. It was a great test for the team, however, who held their own for the most part. It's a sign they'll be a good defensive team that plays close games. It was just one of those nights they went ice cold down the stretch, he says.
Florida Gulf Coast Showcase
There were three games in three days and the Racers won 2-1 in the tournament. They won the Milwaukee game 66 to 63. Milwaukee is a horizon team who returned with their starters. The Racers defended well with a lot of turnovers, which was the biggest key in this game. Milwaukee struggled with the Racers' speed. Standout players were Bryce Jones, Jeffery Moss and Wayne Langston.
In the game against Pepperdine, they won 59 to 55. In this game the Racers shot their best in the tournament. Pepperdine is a good three-point team and the Racers trailed late in the game but came back for a win in the final moments. Wayne Langston and Jeffery Moss stood out.
They lost the championship game against Weber State, 59 to 75. Bradley says the toll of two games and travel came out in this game. They have good players in Jeremy Senglin and Joel Bolomboy. It was too much for the Racers and not their night, they didn't shoot well or defend well.
November 28 vs Alabama A&M, 61-61
Their top player Ladarius Tabb was out last year but came back this time. They have an impressive team with impressive wins. How the Racers won this game, Bradley says, was beyond him. In the second half, they went one for twenty down the field. However, it was their defense at the end of the game that pulled through. Wayne Langston and Gee Mcghee were stand out players in this game.
This Saturday vs Evansville
Evansville was a good match last year. The Racers won right before the buzzer. Everyone from their team is back this year. The Racers only have one starter back. They have a very good team, particularly in D.J. Balentine and Egidijus Mockevicius. Their team has depth and size, not quickness, but every other weapon in a good team, Bradley says. They have the potential to be a Top 25 team this year.
