Murray State Basketball: 3 reasons why Racers are “back” for 2021-22 season

Toughness and togetherness

There has been a common theme during Murray’s several decades run of excellence. The Racers play tough and they play together. McMahon brought in more transfers than usual. Southern transfer Burns, was a starter Tuesday. Eastern Illinois transplant, Skipper-Brown played 16 minutes. Another starter Carter Collins came in from Davidson.

Those veterans bring experience, production, and toughness. What they’ve also done, is bought into McMahon’s way of doing things. All three averaged nine or more points per game for their previous teams and Collins and Skipper-Brown were starters. They have embraced their support roles well and the Racers clearly play for one another.

Throughout Tuesday’s game, the Racer bench was active, supportive, and engaged with what their on-floor teammates were accomplishing. While there were just 11 assists handed out Tuesday night, Racer players were consistently content with making the extra pass to get their teammates better shots.

This edition of Racers’ basketball seems intent on team success. While Brown led the team in scoring, he was in a three-way tie for second-most shots taken. Collins and Hannibal are guards but got in the paint to co-lead the team with seven rebounds each.

Murray State players were quick to dive on loose balls and to congratulate a teammate for extra effort plays.

"“I’m really excited about it,” said McMahon. “It’s early, but I feel good about our buy in and togetherness. We have the ability to withstand some of these runs. They (Illinois State) have too much firepower offensively, but we just kept playing and made the next right play.”"

McMahon is happy with his team’s early-season toughness.