Morehead State is National Invitation Tournament Bound

Not a Consolation Prize

(St. Louis, MO) – Morehead State is National Invitation Tournament bound and coach Preston Spradlin is excited to be coaching and spending time with his team. Morehead (21-11) won the Ohio Valley Conference regular season title, but lost in the semifinals of the conference tournament. Spradlin says playing in the NIT is not a consolation prize.

The Eagles play the Clemson Tigers, Wednesday night in Clemson, South Carolina. Game time is 6:00 pm and can be seen on ESPN+.

While disappointed to have missed the NCAA Tournament, head coach Preston Spradlin says he’s happy to have more time coaching this edition of Morehead State basketball.

 

 

Morehead State is National Invitation Tournament Bound – With Purpose

Spradlin’s teams have eclipsed the twenty-win plateau three straight years and this is their second post season appearance in that time. After winning the regular season title, the Eagles feel like they still have something to prove. While proud of their regular season accomplishments, they want a shot at a high major conference team.

 

 

MSU is one of eleven conference champions that weren’t invited to the Big Dance and one of those teams that would rather be playing in the NCAA Tournament. Spradlin says the NIT teams that are motivated to prove something and enjoy competing alongside their teammates are the ones that typically succeed.

It feels like a ‘do-over’ or a ‘second chance’.

 

 

Facing Clemson

Brad Brownell’s Tigers (23-10) won a program record, 14 Atlantic Coast Conference games. They are big and talented. 6’8 forward Hunter Tyson (15.5 ppg & 9.5 rebounds) and 6’10 P.J. Hall (15.4 and 5.6) will provide a stiff challenge up front for OVC Defensive Player of the Year Alex Gross.

Double digit scoring guards Chase Hunter and Brevin Galloway give the Tigers great balance and make them difficult to defend. The top seeded Tigers beat NCAA Tournament bound North Carolina State three times. Clemson, like Morehead, plays solid half-court offense and defense. This game won’t be a track meet. Caesars Sportsbook calls the Tigers a 15.5 point favorite.

Spradlin says the Clemson team plays similary to his own squad. He knows the top seeded Tigers could hurt the Tigers in transition.

 

 

(Click Here for Our Entire Conversation with Preston Spradlin)

Points of Pride and Satisfaction

Not only has Morehead won at least 20 games the last three years, their conference mark has ben outstanding. During the past three campaigns, the Eagles have won 78% (44-12). One of Spradlin’s biggest sources of joy about this season is the program’s first outright title in over 30 years.

 

 

Spradlin takes pride in how his players develop as players and as people. He is always working to prepare them to be better fathers, husbands and citizens. One player that has shown and increased basketball maturity and stability is Mark Freeman. Playing for his third D1 team, Freeman was named OVC ‘Player of the Year’.

Spradlin says Freeman came to Morehead to win a championship.

 

 

Morehead is now the clear leader of the OVC pack and they can put a stamp on this three-year run and to continue to build momentum for next season. Upsetting Clemson would be an exclamation point on a what has been a very good season.

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