The Murray State News

A n in s i d e l o o k : All American, Isaiah Canaan ready for final Racer run, Pg. 4

Racer Basketball A special publication of The Murray State News

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Basketball 2012

From the Sports Editor The only word that comes to mind when I try to describe last year’s Murray State men’s basketball team is absurd.

A team with a new coach is not supposed to win 23 consecutive games, and a mid-major is not supposed to be ranked No. 9 in the nation.

That team defied all logic and reason, time and time again. Just when we thought the magic was running out, they went out on that wood floor and did it again.

They captured a community’s heart and left us spellbound night after night.

Now it’s over. The banner has been hung from the rafters and those three seniors we fell in love with have graduated.

It’s a new season, and what we must remember is, it’s also a new team.

It’s a team with six freshmen.

It’s a team that already lost two of its projected five starters, and is facing one of the most unforgiving schedules the program has

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ever seen.

Don’t forget, however, it’s a team with Steve Prohm at the helm. He’s finally gotten the chance to recruit his own class of freshmen and he’s excited Jonathan about them.

Ferris It’s a team Sports Editor with a large man and an even larger afro who made a name for himself on national television in the NCAA Tournament last year.

It’s a team with the best point guard in the country, who looked me in the eye just a few days ago and told me he chose to come to Murray State because he wanted to be a winner. Do you think Isaiah Canaan is going to want to go out with anything less than a fourth championship?

A logical person might say there is no way this team could

November 9, 2012

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ever come close to repeating last year. They lost three invaluable seniors, had a starting big man go down to injury, and saw a starting guard suspended for the entire season.

While much has changed from last season, let’s not forget; this team does not care about logic, reason, or how good the media says they’re supposed to be. If they did, they would have met the media’s expectations and finished third in the OVC last season.

This team is different. They overcome adversity and find ways to thrill us and make us want to watch them even more.

Yes, they’re young and had a rough offseason, but if you think this team will let those qualities define them, you’re dead wrong.

They don’t obey the rules of logic and reason. They don’t care about expectations or hype. They care about continuing a winning tradition and keeping their ‘eyes up’ on their goals.

2609 University Station Murray State University Murray, Ky. 42071-3301 E-mail: thenews@murraystate.edu Fax: 809-3175 TheNews.org Austin Ramsey Editor-in-Chief • 809-6877 Chris Wilcox News Editor • 809-4468 Devin Griggs Opinion Editor • 809-5873 Anna Taylor Features Editor • 809-5871 Jonathan Ferris Sports Editor • 809-4480 Ryan Richardson Online Editor • 809-5877 Brandon Orr Advertising Manager • 809-4478 Wes Yonts Production Manager • 809-5874 Joe Hedges Adviser • 809-2998

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Basketball 2012

November 9, 2012

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Revamped team sets high expectations Jonathan Ferris || Sports Editor jferris2@murraystate.edu

E

ight months removed from the most successful season in program history, Head Coach Steve Prohm and his team are preparing for a run at a fourth consecutive OVC championship.

Unfortunately, the 2012-13 edition of the Racer men’s basketball team looks very different from the team that won 31

games a season ago.

“We’ve obviously had a lot of adversity,” Prohm said. “When I was sitting in the office in April and May, it’s not the same basketball team. What I’ve prepared for all summer is not the team that I’ve (got now).”

While Prohm was well aware of the departure of seniors Ivan Aska, Donte Pool and Jewaun Long, he was not prepared for the torn achilles that will cost forward Latreze Mushatt at least two months of his senior season, with a return not expected until sometime in January or February.

The Racers also suffered another significant setback Sept. 9 when sophomore guard Zay Jackson was arrested after striking a couple in a Walmart parking lot – a crime that will cost Jackson the entire 2012-13 basketball season.

Both Mushatt and Jackson played key roles off the bench last season.

Mushatt was ready to take the starting forward role vacated by Aska, while Jackson was expected to start in the front court alongside Isaiah Canaan.

Prohm is now left scrambling to fill in the holes - a difficult task with a roster of six freshmen and several inexperienced players.

“We’re balancing extreme experience with extreme youth and no middle ground,” Prohm said. “We only have two guys that have played extended minutes at a high level. The other nine guys just haven’t played much yet and so everyone else is stepping into a new role.”

A few players stepping into new roles include junior guard Dexter Fields, and senior guard Stacy Wilson.

Fields, who sat out last season, is a transfer from Alabama Birmingham.

As a sophomore, he averaged eight points per game on a UAB team which won a regular season

Conference championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

“We’re excited about Dexter,” Prohm said. “We think he can be one Seniors Isaiah Canaan and Ed Daniel, the lone remaining starters from last season, lead the Murray of the premier shooters in the conferState Racers into a season filled with high hopes and unprecedented hype. ence and one of the top defenders in team. The only two returning starters but really it’s just motivation.” the league.” from last year’s squad, Prohm will As the attention surrounds Canaan Wilson played a limited role off the rely heavily on their leadership abiliand the Racers, the team is busy bench last season, averaging more ty and on the court presence. preparing for one of the toughest than four points per game. Now a Canaan took college basketball by schedules in program history. With senior, he will be expected to play a storm last season, averaging 19 points the second game of the year against larger role for the Racers and is excitper game and earning All America Auburn in the Charleston Classic, the ed about the opportunity to be a second team honors. Faced with the schedule only gets tougher from leader both on and off the court. choice of foregoing his senior season there, with the likes of possible “Last year, I was one of the role for the NBA, Canaan chose to return matchups against St. Johns and Baylor players,” Wilson said. “I was experifor his final year and a chance to in Charleston, followed by games enced but I was new. This year I have achieve perfection with a fourth OVC against Old Dominion, Valparaiso, to be more vocal and talkative and championship in four years.

Dayton and Western Kentucky. lead the younger guys. I just have to “I got the The Racers will also have to navicome and work hard “The target on our back is a huge chance to stay in gate a constantly improving OVC school and graduschedule including newly added every practice challenge. Last year we started off ate, Canaan said. Belmont. As the three time defending and lead by hunting people and now we’re the “It’s senior year and champions, the Racers know they will example.” be targeted by every OVC team.

Prohm said ones being hunted. The biggest thing you can’t get that “The target on our back is a huge he is excited to is just being able to face adversity and back. The NBA will be there. I just felt challenge,” Mushatt said. “Last year see what get things done.” like we would be we started off hunting people and Wilson can do able to have anothnow we’re the ones being hunted. and believes –Latreze Mushatt er special team and The biggest thing is just being able to he is primed to Senior forward do some really face adversity and get things done.” have a big year. great things this season. The biggest With six freshmen, a tough sched“I’m really looking forward to the thing for me was just finishing school ule, injuries and a suspension, the development of Stacy Wilson and the and being able to walk out there upcoming basketball season is surseason he’s going to have,” Prohm senior night and just have another rounded with numerous questions. said. “He handled himself great last great season.”

Despite all the uncertainty, the year being the fifth guard on a During the preseason, Canaan was Racers maintain high hopes for a tremendous team and helping us win named the top point guard in college strong second act following last some big games early. He suffered an basketball by CBS Sports and was year’s colossal success. injury and a death in the family duralso selected to the Associated Press “We just want to take it one week ing the season which set him back a Preseason All America Team. Now and one game at a time,” Canaan said. little bit, but I’m just looking forward with the eye of the media square “The ultimate goal is to win the conto him having a good year because he upon him, Canaan is ready to lead his ference championship and get back to has stayed grounded and really team and soak in his senior season. the tournament. If we can take it one worked hard.”

“I wouldn’t say (the hype) affects day at a time and get better every day While so much has changed for the me,” Canaan said. “It motivates me it’ll end up good at the end.”

Racers since their NCAA more than anything. It’s a great honor The quest for No. 4 tips off tonight Tournament run ended last March, to be labeled as one of the better playas the Racers take on Brescia at 7:30 seniors Ed Daniel and Isaiah Canaan ers in college basketball this season, at the CFSB Center. remain the foundation for the new

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Basketball 2012

The News November 9, 2012

All-time great headed down home stretch Lexy Gross || Staff writer cgross2@murraystate.edu

Senior Isaiah Canaan is expected to excel in the 2012-13 season and become a top contender in college basketball.

“It’s a great honor to be labeled as one of the best point guards and one of the better players in college basketball this year,” Canaan said. “But it’s all just motivation.”

Last April, Canaan decided against entering his name into the 2012 National Basketball Association draft. He said he felt as if things were left unfinished at Murray State.

“It’s senior year and you can’t get that back,” Canaan said, “The NBA will always be there and I just felt like we will be able to have another great team do some special things this season.”

“I just wanted to soak in some of the accolades and the things people around the country have been saying about me, you know, saying I’m one of the faces of college basketball this season. Those were some of the opportunities I might not have gotten to enjoy if I had left early.”

Canaan was voted the No. 1 point guard in the counrty by CBSSports.com and AP preseason All-America. However with all of the awards, comes unprecedented hype and national media attention.

While this might distract some players, Head Coach Steve Prohm said he does not believe the attention and the high expectations for Canaan will hinder his ability to play.

“I think he’s already lived up to all of (the expectations),” Prohm said. “He’s going to do everything he possibly can to help this program.

The impact he has had over the last few years has been unbelievable.”

Canaan has come a long way since Prohm began recruiting him from high school in Biloxi, Miss. He chose Murray State over both Tulane University and Arkansas State.

“They have a great winning tradition here,” Canaan said. “I wanted to play and they told me if I came in and did everything the right way that I’d have a chance to play and that’s the biggest thing most kids want coming out of high school, is just the chance to play.”

As a freshman, Canaan earned Most Valuable Player honors at the OVC Tournament. In the same year, the Racers went to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, defeating SEC powerhouse Vanderbilt and losing a close game to eventual national runner-up Butler.

Since then, Canaan has grown into a nationally recognized player who scores half of his goals from the 3-point line and averages 19 points a game.

Throughout the 2012-13 season, Canaan is expected to break several University basketball records. Canaan ended his junior year with 1,374 points, the 19th highest in Murray State basketball history. If C a n a a n manages to break 2,000 points this year, he will be the sixth player from Murray State to do so.

Canaan is only 42 shots away from taking the top spot in career 3point shots. He also holds the second highest 3-point percentage at .446.

While he may break numerous records, Canaan’s success at Murray State extends far beyond the stats he has accumulated on the court. Canaan was an integral piece on the record shattering 2011-12 team, which posted the most succesful season in the history of the program. Canaan has brought unprecedented attention to Murray State, and has played a key part in making Murray State a nationally recognized program.

Fellow senior Latreze Mushatt said he thinks Canaan can fulfill what is expected of him.

“I think he is a great player,” Mushatt said.

“He’s down for whatever is in front of him, but he doesn’t try to do it all himself. He has team mates and he knows that. He just goes out there to play ball.”

Prohm emphasized Canaan’s impact not only in college basketball, but in Murray as well.

“We probably ask too much of him at times,” Prohm said. “But he agrees to everything. He shakes every hand, he signs every autograph, he does everything possible to promote the University. He’s certainly a team-first guy.”

Isaiah Canaan has a chance to further cement his place in history as one of the best to ever play in Murray in 2012-13.

File Photo

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Basketball 2012

November 9, 2012

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Meet the freshmen Photos by Samuel T. Hays/The News

C.J. Ford

Tyler Rambo

Erik McCree

•6’1”

•6’5”

•6’7”

•180 lbs

•204 lbs

•215 lbs

•Fayetteville,

•Grandview,

•Winter Garden,

Mo.

N.C.

Fla.

Rambo sat out as a redshirt freshman in 2011-12 after playing one year at Christian Life Academy in Humble, Texas. His team went 31-5 with Rambo scoring 15 points per game. Rambo was a McDonalds All-American nominee.

McCree averaged 19 points and eight rebounds per game at West Orange High School gained post season honors in the 19 team Orlando Metro Conference.

McCree was also a Florida 8A Third Team All-State Team member.

Jeffery Moss

Terron Gilmore

Zay Henderson

•6’4”

•6’7”

•6’8”

•180 lbs

•200 lbs

•225 lbs

•Madison,

•Jackson,

•Fayetteville,

As a senior at Westover High School, Ford averaged 23 points, seven assists and nine rebounds per game. His team won 93 games in high school and went 30-5 his senior year. Ford played in the North Carolina East-West All-Star game.

Miss.

Ala. Moss attended Bob Jones High School and was picked fourth on the Birmingham News list of superior seniors in Alabama men’s basketball in 2012.

Moss was also a finalist for Alabama Player of the Year and All-State honors.

Averaging 11 points and six rebounds per game, Gilmore led his senior team at Callaway High School to a 24-6 season and the Mississippi 5A Championship.

Gilmore was named to the All-State Second Team.

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N.C. Named to the Louisiana 4A All-State team his senior year, Henderson attended Neville High School. His team went 23-10 in his senior season and won the district title. Henderson was named AllDistrict MVP.

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Basketball 2012

The News November 9, 2012

Going for four

File Photo

Belmont squad to shake up divided conference Edward Marlowe || Staff Writer emarlowe@murraystate.edu

The Racers will be chasing their fourth consecutive OVC championship in 2013, but will have to go through stiffer competition than ever before to claim it.

The most notable change to the conference this season is the addition of the Belmont Bruins and the splitting of the conference into divisions.

The Racers have been placed in the west division along with Austin Peay, Eastern Illinois, SIUE, SEMO, and UT Martin. Murray State was picked to win the west at OVC Media Day. The new Eastern division in the OVC will consist of Belmont, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State,

Morehead State, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech.

Leaving the Atlantic Sun Conference for improved competition in the OVC, Belmont brings immediate credibility to an already good mid-major conference, as the Bruins have made the NCAA Tournament in seven of the past 12 years, and were picked to win the Eastern division.

Along with Belmont, the Racers will likely have to go through both Tennessee State and Morehead State to claim the OVC crown.

The Tennessee State Tigers return with two of the more prolific starters in the conference in seniors Patrick Miller and Robert Covington.

New Head Coach Travis Williams

is charged with building off one of the best seasons in school history, as the Tigers delivered the only loss the Racers suffered during the regular season and fell one game short of the NCAA Tournament, losing 54-52 in the OVC Championship.

Morehead State will also head into the season with new leadership as previous Head Coach Donnie Tyndall left for Southern Mississippi, a strong team in Conference USA. First-year Head Coach Sean Woods, who lead Mississippi Valley State to the NCAA Tournament last season, takes charge of a squad returning three starters from last year. The biggest question for the Eagles will be the 13 newcomers on the roster.

SEMO was picked to finish second

in the Western division and likely poses the biggest threat to keeping Murray State from winning the west.

The Redhawks sport two Preseason All-OVC Team players in senior guard Marland Smith and junior forward Tyler Stone.

Smith averaged 12 points on 44 percent shooting per game last year, while Tyler Stone is garnering NBA attention after averaging 14 points and seven rebounds per game in his first season as a Skyhawk.

Even though the Racers are the preseaon favorite to take the OVC, they will have a tough road to another conference championship.

If the Racers can win the Western division, they will receive the top seed in the OVC Tournament.

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Basketball 2012

November 9, 2012

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Athletes receive honors at OVC media day Edward Marlowe || Staff Writer emarlowe@murraystate.edu

It is a new year for men’s and women’s basketball, and while new faces will adorn starting lineups and benches for both squads, it was familiar faces representing the Racers on OVC Media Day. Junior guard Erica Burgess was selected to the 2012-13 All-OVC Preseason Team after finishing last season averaging 17 points and five rebounds per game. According to Head Coach Rob Cross her game has improved dramatically over the offseason.

“Erica Burgess is more comfortable now,” Cross said. “She’s really done a good job on her perimeter shooting during this offseason. She’s shooting the ball really well right now.”

Despite returnees and a stable lineup, however, the Racers were picked to finish fourth in the Western division, as UT Martin is expected to bring home first behind the play of 2012-13 OVC preseason player of the year, junior guard Heather Butler.

Tough games litter the Lady Racer schedule, as matchups with Indiana,

James Madison, Western Kentucky and Missouri loom large on the horizon.

Cross said he hopes a tough nonconference schedule prepares the team for a grueling conference, where six of the top eight teams could be in the Racer’s West division.

After a whirlwind offseason full of training camps and preseason conditioning, senior point guard Isaiah Canaan and power forward Ed Daniel return stronger, faster and smarter.

The Racers will need heavy contributions from both to remain atop the OVC in 2012-13.

Coaches selected Canaan as the 2012 preseason OVC player of the year, as the crafty guard averaged 19 points and four assists per game last season for the 31-2 Racers.

Daniel and Canaan were both selected to the 2012-13 All-OVC Preseason Team, while the Racers begin the year as the preseason favorite to win the Western division and were ranked No. 26 in the Preseason AP Poll.

Returning for his second season is Head Coach Steve Prohm, who confirmed the first starting lineup of the season at OVC Media Day, which

includes guard Isaiah Canaan, power forward Ed Daniel, senior center Brandon Garrett, junior guard Dexter Fields and freshman point guard C.J. Ford.

With the suspension of sophomore guard Zay Jackson and the Achilles injury to senior forward LaTreze Mushatt, Prohm said he has had to make adjustments in the rotation and doesn’t foresee any big changes in play-style just yet.

“We’re going to try and play the same way we’ve played,” Prohm said.

“We want to be a great defense first and foremost, try to push the ball in transition and try to score first. If we can, ease into transition and then we run our half-court action and try and space the floor, above-screens and try to get the ball inside some and give our guards some freedom.”

The Racers are faced with one of the toughest non-conference schedules ever assembled for the Blue and Gold, as teams such as Valparaiso, Old Dominion, Auburn, Dayton, Western Kentucky and Evansville could prove to be tough games for the Racers.

Regardless, Prohm said while it is

File Photo

Junior guard Erica Burgess was selected to the Preseason All-OVC Women’s Basketball Team.

Seniors Isaiah Canaan and Ed Daniel were selected for the men’s team. tough to be compared to last year’s team, he knows he’ll have his team ready to play at first tip-off against Brescia tonight.

“Our goals shouldn’t be trying to win 32 games … our goal just needs to be to continue to get better and put ourselves in the position to win the conference championship.”

Racers hope to build resume at Charleston Classic Nick Dolan || Staff Writer ndolan@murraystate.edu

To follow up a record-breaking season, Head Coach Steve Prohm has created one of the most challenging schedules in program history.

A huge part of the Racer’s vigorous schedule comes when they will travel to Charleston, S.C., Nov. 15-18 for the Charleston Classic. And after winning the Great Alaska Shootout last season, hopes are high for the Racers to bring home another nonconference tournament title.

The Classic is loaded with major programs like Auburn, Baylor, Dayton, St. John’s and Boston College, vying for the chance to stand out and build their resume early in the season.

Prohm said scheduling high-caliber schools at the beginning was no accident and with the off season incidents the Racers have faced, going into a loaded tournament will only help the Racers’ freshman gain quality experience.

“With the team we had coming back in the spring, I just wanted to schedule aggressively where we could play some great competition and we did that,” Prohm said.

“With some injuries and the off-the-court situation, it’s led to where freshmen have to play and they’re going to get thrown into the fire against Auburn two games into the season. The nonconference is built to try to get some quality wins that can help us with NCAA tournament seeding down the road and it’ll also help us with conference play and that’s our ultimate goal is to win a championship in conference play.”

Murray State opens the tournament at 8 p.m.

Thursday against SEC opponent Auburn.

Even though they will be facing a high-profile team, senior guard Isaiah Canaan said the game plan is no different than any other.

“We always prepare the same.” Canaan said.

“Whatever team we have in front of us, we prepare as if it’s the championship game, regardless of the

name or how big the school is. We may change some of the pairings and small things but we’re not going to change the overall way we prepare.”

Canaan said this is an opportunity to gauge how far the Racers have come and how far they still have to go if they want to prove they are an elite program. “(Our goal is) just to go out there and compete and see where we are as a team,” he said. “We’re going out there to try and win it. We won the Thanksgiving tournament last year in Alaska, and, like I said, we’re always going to prepare the same way and we just try to win every game we have on the schedule.”

If they move past Auburn the Racers will play Friday in the semifinals against either St. John’s or Charleston with the championship game at 8:30 p.m. Sunday Nov. 18.

All tournament games will be broadcast on ESPN3 and the championship game will air live on ESPN2.

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Basketball 2012

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Talent-packed roster ready to improve team Carly Besser || Staff writer cbesser@murraystate.edu

The women’s basketball team is preparing strategically, physically and mentally for a big crowd and face-off against Western Kentucky.

The Racers are stacked with four promising freshmen and a recovered junior forward Jessica Winfrey, coming off a torn Achilles heel which kept her from playing last year. After recording 10 double-doubles, leading the team in rebounds, and averaging 30 minutes of playing time per game, Winfrey’s return to the court will give the Racers a huge boost.

Junior guard Erica Burgess contributed to a talented offensive core last season as a redshirt sophomore, averaging 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. As a junior, Cross said Burgess has continued her development, showing promise on offense.

“Erica’s game has grown quite a bit,” he said.

“She’s shooting the ball really well from the perimeter right now, which makes her pretty much un-guardable with her quickness, so we’re excited about that.”

Cross said he is impressed with how vocal each player is.

“As far as the communication goes, this is the best team I’ve coached,” he said. “Better than the two championship teams. Right now we’re outstanding from a communications standpoint. Kyra Watson is very loud, Mariah’s showing great leadership,

Senior Mariah Robinson enters her 2012-13 with a chance to finish her career as the top three point shooter in Murray State history.

Burgess is learning to talk more, so we’re excited about how things are going.”

Last season, the Racers became much more consistent in conference play. Cross said this season will be successful if they can carry that momentum into the new season.

“We were borderline great in conference play,” he said. “Whether or not we shoot 50 percent in nonconference, I hope not. We’re not a good free throw shooting team right now. If we can shoot in the non-conference the way we shoot in the conference, you know, I feel good about it. Our season will be more successful.”

Fans should expect a quick-paced, offensively dominant style of play, similar to last season.

“We should be an exciting, up-tempo team,” he said. “We have two guards with jets in Erica Burgess and Sisk, and they should be able to race the ball up and down the court. We should be able to pressure the ball defensively and wreak a little havoc on the defense. We’ve got to figure out with a couple of our players how much we can play them and at what capacity.

Cross said time will only tell how well the team will perform.

“I feel like we’ve got some good, young talent that’s ready to play,” he said. “But we don’t know how those players are going to perform when the lights are on and the game is for real. That’s what we’re trying to work through right now.”

The Racers tip off at 5:15 p.m. Nov. 9 at the CFSB Center against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Junior Erica Burgess drives the lane in a game at UT Martin.

Burgess was selected to the Preseason All-OVC Team.

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November 9, 2012

Women’s OVC Predictions EAST

WEST

1. Tennessee Tech

1. UT Martin

Going 11-5 in the conference last season, the Golden Eagles have been picked first in the OVC East division with 15 votes. Last season, TTU was bested by UT-Martin in the Championship game and now, having come so close to the title, the Golden Eagles are looking for redemption in 2012-13.

After going 15-1 in the conference and winning the OVC tournament last season, UT Martin is ranked first in the OVC West preseason poll.

However, with freshmen outnumbering returning players eight to six, another championship is far from certain for the youthful Skyhawks.

2. Eastern Kentucky

2. Eastern Illinois

With six returning seniors and three juniors, EKU has been picked to finish second in the OVC East division after losing in the quarterfinals in 2011-12. Aside from their strong performance in the conference tournament, however, EKU struggled for the majority of the year, ending with a losing record.

Losing only three games in the OVC last season, the EIU Panthers are sure to be tough competition for the Racers. They lost only two players to graduation at the end of last year, and have four seniors leading their team this year. Eastern Illinois will look to make the jump to a conference championship in 2012-13.

3. Belmont

3. SIUE

Belmont comes to the OVC with a lean bench and a tough schedule, facing several top ranked out of conference teams including Georgia and Cincinatti. The coaching staff plans to push their team hard in preparation for their first OVC match up against SIUE in December.

With a roster made up of six upperclassmen, the Cougars have plenty of veteran leadership.

Last season SIUE lost only four OVC matches, one of which was to Murray State. The Cougars added three freshmen to their veteran core and are looking to make a name for themselves in the OVC.

4. Morehead State

4. Murray State

Morehead State will have to rebuild their lineup this year after losing their top three point scorers from a season ago. With ten returning players and five new recruits, the Eagles will have work to do on their offense if they are to improve their OVC standings and make a run at the championship.

The Racers are excited to have junior forward Jessica Winfrey back from an achilles injury.

Murray State has a unique mix of youth and experience with four freshmen and four seniors. Led by Erica Burgess, the Racers will be looking to improve on the 13-18 mark they posted in 2011-12.

5. Tennessee State

5. Austin Peay

With six returning seniors but only nine wins last season, the TSU Tigers are ranked fifth in the OVC East division. Head Coach Larry Joe Inman said he still intends to win the championship, however. Preseason rankings or not, though he recognized such a feat will be difficult for his team.

With seven freshmen on their roster and a losing record last season, it’s sure to be a rebuilding year for APSU women. The Lady Govs have added Jerome Jackson to the team as an assistant coach. The former APSU basketball star comes off a three-year tenure at Clarksville Academy.

6. Jacksonville State

6. SEMO

Winning only four games last season and just one OVC game, the Gamecocks were picked last in the OVC East division for the season.

With only three upperclassmen on the team, Jacksonville State will have to depend on new talent if they are to better the fate the preseason polls have laid out for them.

With only eight wins on the season last year, and an almost entirely underclassmen team, it may be a rough year for SEMO. However the Redhawks are under a new coaching staff with Ty Margenthaler at its head. Whether a change in coaching staff will be enough to turn the team around is yet to be seen.

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Basketball 2012

November 9, 2012

New faces bring excitement Carly Besser || Staff writer cbesser@murraystate.edu

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Tipoff is just around the corner, and the Racers are loaded with new talent for 2012-13.

Freshmen guard Erica Sisk, Oxford Miss., will play her first game as a Racer after leading her Oxford High School basketball team to a 33-0 season in 2011-12. The twotime Oxford Eagle Player of the Year is expected to bring a quick and close-rimmed playing style to the court.

Head coach Rob Cross said fans should expect a similar playing style as junior guard Erica Burgess.

“Sisk is quicker than Burgess,” he said. “Unbelievable speed and quickness, and we’re going to have Sisk two who can really play out and defend and can fly up and down the court offensively and push the ball and are very aggressive.

Kelsey Dirks is a freshman from Robinson, Ill., The forward averaged 16.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.4 blocks in her high school career playing at Robinson High School. She was named the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-Star MVP her senior year.

“Dirks is 6’3,” Cross said. “And a good base, good athlete who can shoot it from the perimeter and put

it on the floor. I really feel like she is going to impact a lot.”

Junior forward Netanya Jackson, Murfreesboro, Tenn., was a highly anticipated transfer to the Murray State program. Her 6’4” frame gives the racers an imposing defensive presence.

Junior guard Alyssa Like, Poseyville, Ind., is the second transfer. Playing two years at Olney Central College, she was a two-time All-Great Rivers Athletic Conference selection and was a 2011-12 NJCAA Third-Team Division All-American.

Coming from Melbourne Australia is freshman Bianca Babic. Before Murray State, she led her club team to a second-place finish in the youth league, averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds. She was also named an All-Star forward.

Freshman forward/guard Christy Soldo from Hopkinsville, Ky. was highly decorated for her career in high school, being the four-time all-district selection, two-time all-region selection and was selected as the basketball player and athlete of the year in region two her senior year. Holding the school record for the most career points at Hopkinsville, her offensive presence could jump start a Racer offensive gameplay.

Cross said the team is overflowing with new talent ready to showcase their skill in tonight’s first game of the season against Western Kentucky at 5:15 p.m. at the CFSB Center..

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11

The News

Basketball 2012

12

November 9, 2012

2012-13 basketball schedules Women

Men November Fri. 9th Thurs. 15th Fri. 16th Sun. 18th Sat, 24th Mon. 26th

December Tues. 4th Sat. 8th Sun 16th Wed. 19th Sat. 22nd Sat 29th

January Thur. 3rd Sat 5th Wed. 9th Sat. 12th Thurs. 17th Sat. 19th Thurs. 24th Sat. 26th

February Sat. 2nd Thurs. 7th Sat. 9th Thurs 14th Sat. 16th Wed. 20th Sat. 23rd Thurs. 28th

March Sat. 2nd Wed. 6th Thurs. 7th Fri. 8th Sat. 9th

Opponent

Location

Brescia Murray Auburn Charleston, S.C. St. Johns/Charleston Charleston, S.C. Baylor, Boston College, Charleston, S.C. Colorado, Dayton Old Dominion Murray Lipscomb Nashville, Tenn.

Opponent

Location

Bethel Evansville Western Kentucky Arkansas State Dayton Valparaiso

Murray Evansville, Ind. Murray Jonesboro, Ark. Dayton, Ohio Murray

Opponent

Location

UT Martin SEMO Eastern Kentucky Austin Peay Eastern Illinois SIUE Tennessee Tech Jacksonville State

Martin, Tenn.

Cape Girardeau, Mo. Murray Clarksville, Tenn.

Murray Murray Cookeville, Tenn.

Jacksonville, Ala.

Opponent Austin Peay Belmont Tennessee State SIUE Eastern Illinois Morehead State Sears Bracketbusters UT Martin

Location Murray Murray Murray Edwardsville, Ill. Charleston, Ill. Morehead, Ky. Murray Murray

Time (Central) 7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

TBA TBA 7 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Time (Central) 7 p.m.

1:05 p.m.

2 p.m.

7:35 p.m.

11 a.m.

2 p.m.

Time (Central) 7 p.m.

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7: 30 p.m.

7 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

Time (Central) Noon 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

TBA 7 p.m.

Time (Central)

November Fri. 9th Mon. 12th Thurs. 15th Sat. 17th Tues. 20th Mon. 26th Thurs. 29th

December Sat. 1st Thurs. 6th Sun 16th Thurs. 20th Mon. 31st

January Sat. 5th Mon. 7th Sat. 12th Mon. 14th Sat. 19th Sat. 26th Mon. 28th

February Sat. 2nd Wed. 6th Mon. 11th Sat. 16th Mon. 18th Sat. 23rd Mon. 25th

March

Opponent

Location

SEMO OVC Tournament Round 1 OVC Tournament Round 2 OVC Tournament Semifinals OVC Tournament Championship

Murray Nashville, Tenn.

7:30 p.m.

6 or 8 p.m.

Sat. 2nd Wed. 6th

Nashville, Tenn.

6 or 8 p.m.

Thurs. 7th

Nashville, Tenn.

6 or 8 p.m.

Fri. 8th

Nashville, Tenn.

6 p.m.

Sat. 9th

Opponent Western Kentucky Indiana James Madison Longwood Evansville Lipscomb Ball State

Location Murray Murray Harrisonburg, Va. Farmville, Va. Murray Murray Murray

Opponent

Location

Southern Illinois Mid-Continent Alabama A&M Missouri Eastern Kentucky

Murray Murray Murray Columbia, Mo. Murray

Opponent

Location

UT Martin SEMO Austin Peay Belmont Eastern Illinois Jacksonville State Tennessee Tech

Martin, Tenn.

Cape Girardeau, Mo. Clarksville, Tenn.

Murray Murray Jacksonville, Ala. Cookeville, Tenn.

Opponent Austin Peay New Orleans Tennessee State Eastern Illinois SIUE UT Martin Morehead State

Location Murray New Orleans, La. Murray Charleston, Ill. Edwardsville, Ill. Murray Morehead, Ky.

Time (Central) 5:15 p.m.

7 p.m.

6 p.m.

1 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Time (Central) 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Noon 7 p.m.

1 p.m.

Time (Central) 4 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

2 p.m.

7 p.m.

Time (Central) 2:15 p.m.

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

4 p.m.

7 p.m.

TBA 5 p.m.

Opponent

Location

SEMO OVC Tournament Round 1 OVC Tournament Round 2 OVC Tournament Semifinals OVC Tournament Championship

Murray Nashville, Tenn.

5:15 p.m.

TBA

Time (Central)

Nashville, Tenn.

TBA

Nashville, Tenn.

TBA

Nashville, Tenn.

TBA