Murray State Basketball: 2015-16 Season Preview

By Taylor Sturm
Murray State Basketball
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Despite going undefeated in conference play last season, the Murray State Racers failed to win the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament last season, causing them to miss out on the 2015 NCAA tournament and go to the NIT instead. Heading into 2015-16, however, Murray State should once again be one of the favorites to win the OVC.

Murray State does lose their top three scorers from a season ago, as well as their head coach, Steve Prohm. Star player Cameron Payne is perhaps their biggest loss, but the Racers also have several talented and experienced players returning. Jeffery Moss is the biggest returning asset, but he will be joined by Justin Seymour and Wayne Langston among others.

The Racers have an extremely easy non-conference schedule, facing just two teams that are expected to even contend for a 2016 NCAA tournament berth. Both the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders and Georgia Bulldogs are beatable teams, so Murray State has an opportunity to enter conference play with just one or two losses.

In conference play, Murray State also has a fairly easy schedule. Both the East and West OVC divisions have a clear talent gap between the top and bottom teams, and the Racers are one of the teams at the top. The second best team in the OVC West looks to be the Eastern Illinois Panthers, who are nowhere near a team that should be favored over Murray State by any means.

The Racers are the second best team in the OVC, but, last season, the second best team in the OVC went to the NCAA tournament. Expect it to be another Murray State vs. Belmont Bruins showdown in the OVC tournament with the winner going to the NCAA tournament and the loser going to the NIT. Remember, anything can happen in March, and Murray State will still be reeling from their NCAA tournament snub last season.

Taylor Sturm is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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