Murray State men and women picked as the tops in The Valley

Murray State men received 32 of 50 first-place votes

The Murray State men's basketball team was picked first in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, the league office announced on Tuesday. The poll was voted on by the league's coaches, sports information directors and media members.

Murray State garnered 32 of the 50 total first place votes as the Racers tallied 517 total points, ahead of No. 2 Illinois State (seven first place votes) and No. 3 UIC (six first place votes). Belmont, Valparaiso and Bradley all received one first place vote as they rounded out the top six teams in the preseason poll.

The Valley's preseason player watchlist will be released October 21.

Murray State is coming off of a 20-13 overall record last season with a 12-8 mark in Missouri Valley Conference play and a third-place finish in the league standings. It was the Racers' best conference finish and most conference wins since joining The Valley.

Murray State has six returning players from last year, but just three who saw action - Mathis Courbon, Roman Domon and Brayden Shorter – as the Racers added nine newcomers (four transfers, five freshmen).

The Racers open the regular season on Monday, November 2 against Tennessee State in the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon. The Racers tip off the home slate inside the reimagined CFSB Center on Saturday, November 7 against Northwestern State.

A limited number of single-game reserved tickets for the non-conference home schedule are now on sale. A limited number of loge boxes and courtside seats remain for the season, while ledge seating is completely sold out. For more information on how to purchase a loge box, CLICK HERE. Upper-level general admission bleacher seats went on sale for just $99 each and can still be purchased by clicking HERE.
 

Murray State women received 41 of 44 first-place votes

Murray State women's basketball has been tabbed as the preseason favorites in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll with the Racers landing 41 of 44 first-place votes. Following a historic 31-win championship campaign, MSU returns last year's MVC Player and Newcomer of the Year in Halli Poock and Sharnecce Currie-Jelks along with All-MVC performer Haven Ford. 

Across the last two seasons, Coach Rechelle Turner has led Murray State to back-to-back championships while ranking inside the top five nationally in scoring. 

MSU will begin November 2 at Southern Indiana in Evansville. 


Follow the Racers on X (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics) and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics. Follow Murray State women's basketball on X and Instagram (@RacersWBB).

Photo is a screen capture courtesy of MSU Athletics and goracers.com