Murray State – Wedged in the Middle

Racer Head Coach Steve Prohm

(St. Louis, MO) – Murray State’s season has been filled with highs and lows. Earning some tremendous wins and yet losing three overtime games has left Steve Prohm’s team wedged in the middle of the Missouri Valley Conference race.

The emotions surrounding a college basketball team are more fragile than a midwestern weather report. Murray State swept their Valley games in Iowa, and then defeated Valparaiso for its third win-in-a-row and Racer fans were rejoicing.

Two losses later fans and broadcasters are wondering what’s wrong? For a team wedged in the middle the middle portions of the conference season are huge. Two games with their two biggest in-conference rivals presents the possibility to turn this season’s momentum one direction or another.

Wednesday night the Racers take on Southern Illinois in Carbondale and Saturday they host long-time rival Belmont. Tonight’s contest is the Missouri Valley TV ‘Game of the Week on your local Gray Media station. The Racers and Salukis tip at 6:00 p.m.

Wedged in the Middle

While losing to Bradley at home is not shocking (Belmont did it Tuesday night), the Racers’ 2-2 home conference record is offset by its outstanding 2-2 road record. Coach Prohm says the Racers are coming into a significant portion of the schedule.

Murray’s historic sweep of the Valley’s Iowa schools, gave Prohm and his players the blue-print for this team’s success. The Racers have to be defensively tough and use their ‘physicality’ to their advantage. During their recent two-game slide, those characteristics might have been missing.

The Racers live and die at the free throw line. They get to the charity stripe more than any other Valley team, but in some contests, have struggled to convert the free opportunities. While their overall numbers are fine, there have been some inopportune misses. Prohm wants his team to be better at ‘finishing in the paint’.

SIU and Wood

The suddenly dangerous Southern Illinois team is on the schedule tonight in the always tough to play in Bantera Center. SIU (8-11, 3-5) has won three straight this year and five-in-a-row against the Racers. Murray has an all-time record of 5-13 in Carbondale.

Prohm says the Salukis are an important regional rival, trailing only Belmont as an in-conference rival. But, he notes, every game is big during this time of year.

A side note on JaCobi Wood. The senior guard has eclipsed the 500 level in career assists. Had all 510 of his helpers been in a Murray State uniform, he would be third on the Racers’ all-time list. While 135 happened for Belmont, his career Murray total stands at 375 and he is ninth on that illustrious list.

The fifth-year senior will soon eclipse Chad Townsend, Isaiah Canaan and Cameron Payne. Prohm says Wood has been a huge part of the Murray State program and is looking for his point guard to take the reigns of the team during this season’s stretch run .

Murray is wedged in the middle and tonight’s game at Southern Illinois could give us a hint as to which direction this team may be headed.

For our complete interview with coach Prohm head to mvc-sports.com.

Do Good

 

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