2008 Woodie Awards
ESPN ranks Racers among nation's best programs
Issue date: 8/22/08 Section: Sports
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Staff writer
The Murray State Men's basketball program is ranked 30th in ESPN's list of the most prestigious basketball programs of the modern era.
The Racers were picked based on a strict point system that factors in regular season titles, conference tournament titles and winning percentage.
These rankings started in the 1984-1985 season, when the NCAA men's basketball tournament went to 64 teams.
The men have won the regular season Ohio Valley Conference title 13 times in that span and the conference championship 11 times. The Racers also had a winning percentage of .669 during the timeframe.
With this criteria, the Racers claimed a spot ahead of teams such as No. 31 Villanova, No. 32 Oklahoma State and No. 33 Georgia Tech.
The past and present Racers also fell close behind Purdue, Maryland, Ohio State, Gonzaga and Stanford.
Murray State's high winning percentage over the past 24 years also greatly factored in to the Racers' ESPN ranking.
The 21 consecutive winning seasons is something the Racers would like to carry on again this year. According ESPN.com, this 21-year streak is good for fifth best in the nation.
"Being ranked No. 30, the highest true mid-major, is quite a distinction and speaks volumes about the success Murray State basketball has experienced over the past 25 years," Murray State Athletic Director Allen Ward said.
Ward said the Racers hope to fulfill the high expectations that come with this ESPN ranking.
Although Racers Bruce Carter and Ray George graduated, the team will have seniors Tyler Holloway and Kevin Thomas, and junior Danero Thomas returning as key consistent starters for the Racers.
The men remain in training in preparation for the upcoming season with hopes of bringing back a tournament bid to Murray State.
Tim MacAllister can be reached at
timothy.macallister@murraystate.edu.
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