Murray State Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for Racers

4 of 4

SAN DIEGO, CA – MARCH 16: Head coach Matt McMahon of the Murray State Racers looks on in the second half against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 16, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) /

What can be expected of post-Morant Murray State?

The Murray State non-conference isn’t filled with tough tests, but there are some in there, like a trip to Tennessee for the second game of the season, it’s not the same Volunteer team from last season, but it will be a good test and a very good mid-major tilt to kick off December with a road game against Missouri State.

Prior to Thanksgiving, they travel to Florida to take part in the Gulf Coast Showcase, opening against LaSalle, then facing either Weber State or Wright State. The other half of the tournament field consists of Drake, Miami (OH), Northeastern and South Alabama. The rest of December sees them hosting Middle Tennessee and Kennesaw State, closing out the Division I portion of their schedule with a trip to Evansville.

Murray State loses its star, but the program is slowly and quietly getting to the point where they reload instead of rebuilding. If the freshmen guards can build off the trip to the Bahamas and the two Smiths can stay healthy, it will probably be Groundhog Day in the OVC with the Racers battling their arch-rival Belmont for the top spot in the conference.

Next. 8 biggest breakout stars for 2019-20. dark

They may not be 28-5 good, but the drop off shouldn’t be too big.