Murray State vs Morehead State: 2021-22 keys to OVC matchup

The Morehead State Eagles celebrate their victory over the Belmont Bruins in the Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Championship at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind., Saturday, March 6, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bruins 86-71 to win the championship title and a bid to the 2021 NCAA tournament.Ovc Mens Championship 8 /

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Auburn Tigers forward Walker Kessler Morehead State Eagles forward Johni Broome John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /

Key players for Morehead State

Morehead State is built around center Johni Broome. The defending OVC ‘Freshman of the Year’ is having an outstanding season. While leading the league in rebounding (10.5 per game), field goal percentage (.556), and blocks (3.6), he is also fifth in scoring (16.2 ppg). The 6’10 lefty alters the game on both ends of the floor. Broome has recorded 14 double-doubles and has blocked at least six shots during seven different games this year.

Spradlin’s defensive-minded scheme is built around his shot-blocking and shot-altering ability. Morehead is second to Murray in scoring defense (62.8 to 63.7 ppg) and the Eagles are third in defensive field goal percentage.

While Broome sweeps away opponents’ shots, it is point guard Ta’lon Cooper who runs the offense. The 6’4 point guard leads the OVC averaging 6.6 assists per game.

Grad-transfer Tray Hollowell and junior Skyelar Potter are doing damage on the offensive end. Both are averaging double figures in scoring and Hollowell is making .428 of his shots from deep. Potter is second Hollowell in made three-pointers (62-38) and grabs 4.6 rebounds per game.

Lipscomb transfer Jake Wolfe is the team’s fifth starter. The 6’5 wing is deadly from deep (.414) and from the line (.826). Seven Eagles average better than five points per game. Broome’s interior threat opens up long-distance opportunities where the Eagles lead the OVC with a .381 team percentage from deep.

During their win over Belmont, MSU made eleven of 22 three-point attempts.