Racers to face South Dakota State in BracketBusters

The Murray State Racers were paired with the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in the Ramada Worldwide BracketBusters event that matches the best mid-major men’s basketball teams on Feb. 23. Tip time for the game on the Racers’ home court is set for 7 p.m. CT.

The Racers and Jackrabbits, who have never met before, have also been selected for one of 13 televised games in the event on ESPN2. The game at Murray State’s CFSB Center will mark the second straight season that the Racers have been selected for a TV game.

“We’re excited to get a televised game on ESPN2 and to be paired with an outstanding program in South Dakota State,”Head Coach Steve Prohm said. “Our fans will be excited to see the game and our team will be excited to be a part of it once again.”

For the first time, three Ohio Valley Conference teams were selected for televised games this season. In addition to Murray StatU against SDSU, Belmont will host Ohio (ESPN2) and Eastern Kentucky travels to Valparaiso (ESPNU).

“With our team getting a primetime slot, it says a lot about the job Steve and the team has done,” MSU Director of Athletics Allen Ward said. “This is a great match-up especially with All-America players like our Isaiah Canaan and Nate Wolters of South Dakota State meeting. It is also great to see the OVC get three television games.”

The Racers are coming off a 75-68 overtime win Saturday at home against Austin Peay that pushed their first-place mark in the OVC East Division to 7-2. Murray State is 16-5 overall this season, while SDSU is 18-6 and currently in a three-way tie for first place in the Summit League at 9-2 with Western Illinois and North Dakota State. SDSU’s last time out was Saturday in a home win over UMKC 88-57.

The game will also feature two of the most exciting players in the nation in senior Isaiah Canaan and SDSU’s senior Nate Wolters. Canaan is eighth this week in NCAA D-I scoring at 21.1 points per game, while Wolters is ninth at 20.9.

The Racers 6-2 all-time in the BracketBusters series with three straight wins over St. Mary’s last season plus Evansville (2011) and Morgan State (2010). Murray State is 5-2 in return games including a win over Evansville (Dec. 16).

This year it marks the 11th straight season and final season of the BracketBusters series.

Story courtesy of Sports Information.

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