Murray State Preview

Murray State comes to Thompson Boling Arena under new head coach Billy Kennedy. Kennedy takes over the Racers after being the Head Coach at Southeastern Louisiana University for 6 years. Kennedy led the Lions to two regular season Southland titles and their first NCAA tournament appearance ever in the last two years. The Racers have struggled to begin the year, losing their first 3 games in the Shamrock Invitational hosted by Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, California. The Racers were heart broken in their first game when San Diego State hit a half court shot at the buzzer to win the game. The year hasn’t gotten much better from there. Kennedy’s young team now enters this game at 2-5 after losing Tuesday night at Illinois-Chicago by a score of 74-68. The Racers led for 28 minutes and increased their lead to 13 in the second half before finally relinquishing the lead with 2 minutes remaining. Eleven of the 15 players on the Murray State roster are in their first year on the team. The Racers feature two transfers, 3 juco players, and 6 freshman. Kennedy has fooled around with the lineup throughout the season, starting 10 different players and playing 11 players over 10 minutes a game. The Racers are led by 6’5” senior forward Shawn Witherspoon. Witherspoon is averaging 11.0 points with 6.1 rebounds. Witherspoon was one of a few players in the country last year that led their team in points, rebounds, and assists. Witherspoon is still recovering somewhat from a broken foot he suffered last year in the NCAA tournament game against UNC.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

The Vols will need to focus on shutting down Witherspoon and sophomore guard Tyler Holloway. Holloway is averaging 9.9 points this season for the Racers, and both were successful against the Vols last year. Witherspoon finished with 9 points and 9 rebounds, while Holloway finished with 11 points on 3-5 shooting from 3 point range. The Vols will try to force their uptempo style onto the Racers, as they were not successful in doing so last year. The Racers turn the ball over at a rate of 16.6 per game, and the Vols will try to increase this number with their full court pressure. If the Vols are able to do this, this game could get ugly quick. The Racers have struggled thus far this season, and don’t present much of a size advantage inside. This game will be one of the few where Dane Bradshaw is not at much of a size advantage down low.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Murray State

PG – 6’3” #1 Ed Horton
SG – 6’2” #4 Tyler Holloway
SF – 6’4” #12 Danero Thomas
PF – 6’5” #22 Shawn Witherspoon
C – 6’9” #33 Rob Kennedy

Tennessee

PG – 6’3” #15 Jordan Howell
SG – 6’2” #5 Chris Lofton
SF – 6’2” #2 JaJuan Smith
PF – 6’4” #23 Dane Bradshaw
C – 6’7” #32 Duke Crews