Here are the key takeaways from Murray State Basketball’s season-opening 91-68 loss to the Billikens of Saint Louis University.
Murray State opened the season with a 7-0 run and led its contest with Saint Louis 9-2 before three minutes were gone in the game, but that success didn’t last and the bigger, deeper, and more athletic Billikens muscled their way to a 91-68 win at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis.
The Racers came into the game with twelve new players from last season and a new coach for all of them. No one knew what to expect. Here are three takeaways from Murray State’s opening night loss to a very good Saint Louis team.
Humility is Important
Coach Steve Prohm believes the Saint Louis loss was a good one. Prohm says he’s been trying to tell his team that Division 1 basketball is hard and for his team to learn to grow together. He left starters in the game when the contest was long over because he wanted to see how his older players would react to adversity.
“We needed to be humbled,” said Prohm. “I can only say so much about what it takes. Until you go through its just words and now they’ve seen it and know this is the standard.”
Inside Game Needs to Improve
Murray State is not a tall team, nor do they have that muscular inside presence. The Racers were out-scored 50-28 in the paint and SLU dominated the boards (48-34). Murray will have to learn how to get the ball inside so that their outside game (which was bad Monday night) has some room to operate.
Starting post D.J. Burns was one for eight from the field. Murray converted .324 of all their first-half shots, making just two of thirteen from deep. Their shot selection and determination to get to the rim on drives was better during the second half and shot .429 from the field opening up the perimeter, making five of nine.
There is Enough Talent to Win
Lafayette transfer Rob Perry struggled early, perhaps putting too much pressure on himself to perform. He seemed to settle for three-point attempts (missing all three). He was a different player in the game’s second half scoring ten points and getting to the rim.
Queens transfer Jamari Smith contributed 19 points, scoring inside and out, burying three of four shots from long distance. Quincy Anderson was particularly impressive with a three-of-five shooting night and five rebounds.
Murray State needed game experience together and the seasoned Billikens gave them some lessons that coach Prohm believes will pay dividends down the line.