Bracketology 2022: Murray State and Belmont hunting at-large berths

Important games coming up for Murray State

The Racers (7-1) are off to a great start. Center K.J. Williams is a two-time winner of the OVC’s player of the week award and Murray State has many different kinds of weapons at coach Matt McMahon’s disposal as they go hunting at large berths.

Williams can dominate inside and can easily step out to the mid-range and do some damage. Star guard Tevin Brown is on a pace that should make him Murray State’s all-time leading three-point shooter and perhaps even become the OVC’s career leader. He hurts teams from deep but is not one-dimensional.

Brown is amongst the league leaders in assists and steals and can take most defenders to the rim and score. He is the team’s emotional leader and often draws the opposition’s best perimeter scorer as his defensive responsibility.

Justice Hill and Carter Collins share the backcourt with Brown and are different kinds of threats. Hill is dynamic and quick. He can pick your pocket, score in transition and make defenders nervous with his attacking style. Collins is more conservative, but can score from outside and rarely makes a mistake.

Transfers Jordan Skipper-Brown and D.J. Burns provide muscle and can score in the dirty areas. Burns’ recent double-double earned him this week’s newcomer of the week award.

The Racers defeated Middle Tennessee (116 NET) this weekend and face Memphis (65) on Friday. This Quad 1 game is part of a trip for the team to see the Memphis Grizzlies and former Racer Ja Morant.

After a Tuesday date with an NAIA team, the Racers play Chattanooga on Saturday, the 18th. That’s two Quad 1 games in eight days for McMahon and his Racers. Again, winning either or both of those games will the Murray a solid chance at an NCAA bid next Spring.

Oh, and right before Christmas, the Racers travel to Auburn to take on the 20th ranked Tigers.