Game of the Week – Part Two

Murray State’s Gritty Defense

(St. Louis, MO) – There will be a contrast of styles during Wednesday night’s ‘Missouri Valley Conference Game of the Week’. Indiana State enjoys a fast-paced, high-scoring game and Murray State prefers to slow it down on offense and grind you down on defense.

The Racers lead the Valley and are sixth nationally in defensive three-point percentage (.258) and allow just over 65 points per game. Indiana State is averaging almost 83 points per contest.

Murray State opened the conference season with a two-point home win over Evansville. Indiana State went on the road and won at Missouri State (80-77). The two are playing an early conference game to accommodate Murray’s Christmas season MTE in Hawaii.

The Game of the Week tips at 6:00 pm Central on Gray Media stations and on Matrix Midwest in St. Louis.

Racer head coach Steve Prohm says he’s impressed by what first-year coach Matthew Graves has achieved at Indiana State.

Game of the Week – Defense is Key

Murray State hangs its hat on the defensive end. Coach Prohm knew this year’s team had to better defensively, more ‘gritty’ and physical, because that’s how previously great Murray teams have played.

His team is the Valley’s second best at defensive field goal percentage and they make it hard for the opposition to even attempt a three-pointer. While they’ve yielded a league low 159 attempts, the Sycamores have hoisted 305.

Prohm says elite defense is critical to overall team success.

Murray’s four transfers all bring something a little different to the lineup. While A.J. Ferguson has been key to the defensive and ‘toughness’ factor, Terence Harcum, Kylen Milton, Kyeron Lindsay bring added elements.

Indiana State newcomer Samage Teel leads the Sycamores in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals. The Presbyterian transfer is a Larry Bird Trophy contender. Prohm says being able to win on the road is a must if the Racers hope to contend for a Valley title and slowing down Teel is a key to winning THIS road game.

Diamond Head Classic

After the ‘Game of the Week’, the Racers head to Honolulu for the Diamond Head Classic MTE. The Racers face Nebraska on December 22 and then Charlotte or Hawaii on December 23. They get Christmas Eve off and finish the prestigious event on Christmas Day.

Loyola Chicago, Oregon State, Charleston and Oakland are on the other side of the bracket and one of those teams would be the Racers’ Christmas Day opponent.

Prohm says playing in an ESPN sponsored event is a feather in the Murray cap and his team is looking forward to competing with top of the line opponents.

Next up for Indiana State is a sub-Division 1 game on Saturday and the Ohio State next week. The ‘Game of the Week’ is huge for these two teams and they both have big time competition coming next week.

You can watch our entire conversation with coach Prohm at mvc-sports.com. Part One of our preview is an interview with Indiana State coach Graves.

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo of JaCobi Wood, courtesy of goracers.com.