Murray State 2010 Preview & Predictions

Murray State Racers Basketball 2010-2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks & Odds

With the College Basketball 2010-2011 Season just around the corner, we are providing season previews & predictions for all NCAA basketball teams to give you the betting edge this year. Follow the best College Basketball Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2010-2011 basketball season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Basketball in our recommend online sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2010-2011 NCAA Basketball Season Previews here.

2010-2011 Murray State Preview Picks, & Odds.

Murray State 2009-2010 Record: 31-5 overall; 17-1 OVC (1st)

Murray State Coach: Billy Kennedy – At Murray State: 84-44, 4 years; overall: 186-170, 12 years

Murray State Players to Watch: Isacc Miles is the glue that holds it together. B.J. Jenkins is the team’s leading scorer and Isaiah Canaan is explosive.

Murray State Key Losses: Danero Thomas, G, 6-4, 190 (10.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg); Tony Easley, C, 6-9, 230 (10.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg)

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2010-2011 Murray State Season Preview

With President Barack Obama among those picking Murray State to win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season, the Racers didn’t disappoint and beat Vanderbilt on a last-second shot and then took Butler, the eventual national runner-up, to the wire, only to lose by two points in the second round. Along the way Murray State set a school and Ohio Valley Conference record for wins in a season with 31, but that was last season, said Racers coach Billy Kennedy. With three returning starters and a deep bench, Murray State should be back in the NCAA Tournament and might even play into its second weekend.

Murray State Backcourt

Murray State’s trio of guards – Isacc Miles, B.J. Jenkins and Isaiah Canaan – should give the Racers one of the best backcourts in the country. The trio combined for 31 points per game as Murray State enjoyed one of the most balanced offenses in the country. Five players were in double figures and a sixth, Miles, missed double digits by a fraction of a point. Miles is, perhaps, Murray State’s steadiest player and is in his third year of starting after transferring in from Creighton. He was named the Ohio Valley’s top newcomer after his sophomore year and was a all-conference selection last season. Miles has started all 67 of his games. Jenkins is another senior and was the team’s leading scorer at 10.6 points per game. He is a defensive stopper, leading the team in steals with 64 (1.8 per game). He also didn’t miss a start least season. Canaan didn’t start a game last season but still averaged 1004 points and was named the conference’s top freshman and tournament most valuable player. He’s also the team’s best 3-point shooter. Donte Poole and J ewuan Long provide valuable depth off the bench.

Murray State Frontcourt

Ivan Aska is a returning starter at forward, having averaged 10.3 points per game, and also is the team’s leading returning rebounder with 4.8 boards. Aska, now a junior, was the Ohio Valley’s top freshman two seasons ago. With 6-9 center Tony Easley gone, Aska will be asked to do more inside for the Racers, as will Jeffery McClain, a 6-6 forward and one of the team’s four seniors. McClain, who played his freshman season at a junior college, has been a consistent rebounder for the Racers and has averaged 5.3 and 4.2 boards per game in his two Murray State seasons. Three newcomers – Chris Griffin, Brandon Garrett and Shawn Jackson – are 6-7, 6-9 and 6-9, respectively, and are already on campus.

Murray State Predictions

Expectations are high and the Racers have the pieces in place to equal, if not better, last season’s 31 wins. Managing those expectations will be a challenge for Kennedy, even in the relative media vacuum of Murray, Kentucky. Even more challenging for Kennedy and his team is this season’s schedule. Trips to Ole Miss and a Thanksgiving jaunt to Anaheim, Calif., for the 76 Classic are on the bill. Murray State should get early season national exposure as the Racers are billed as one of the headliners of the eight-team field that includes Oklahoma State, Stanford and UNLV.

Murray State Finish in the OVC: 1st

Murray State Betting Odds

Murray State Odds to Win 2010-2011 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament: +20000

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Murray State Basketball Handicapping Picks

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