Story by Gage Johnson
Senior writer
On Tuesday, Oct. 23, the OVC held its annual OVC Media Day for all the teams across the conference to address the media and announce preseason awards for the upcoming season.
Between the morning and afternoon interview sessions, the OVC Assistant Commissioner for Strategic
Communications Kyle Schwartz, Murray State men’s basketball Head Coach Matt McMahon, Belmont University women’s basketball Head Coach Bart Brooks and OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche spoke to the media about several topics in the conference.
McMahon and Brooks talked about their experience at the tournament last season, as well as their excitement for the competitiveness and buzz around the conference.
DeBauche expressed her gratitude for the conference sponsors and the OVC tournament host city of Evansville.
“We heard from our student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans that they had a great time in Evansville,” DeBauche said. “With that feedback in mind, our board of athletic directors, many of whom are here today, gathered in the spring, and ultimately voted to bring the tournament back here for a number of years.”
Before the season begins, the head coaches and sports information directors voted for the Preseason All-OVC teams, as well as where they think the teams will place by the end of the season (schools couldn’t vote for their own team).
The Racer women’s team had no representatives recognized, while Belmont senior guard Darby Maggard was voted as the Preseason OVC Player of the Year. The reigning OVC Champion Belmont Bruins received the most first place votes in the predictions, while Murray State was voted to finish last in the conference.
Murray State’s women’s basketball Head Coach Rechelle Turner said she hopes the slight to the Racers inspires them.
“I think it goes to show our kids that nobody is really expecting anything out of them,” Turner said. “I don’t think they necessarily deserve any respect at this point; they haven’t done anything. When you look at this roster, we’re bringing two players back that had [played] any minutes whatsoever last year. Where else would they put us? But I do think that it’s something that can continue to drive us and hopefully help our players work harder and give them incentive to prove people wrong.”
Turner said she knows that the competition will be stiff this season, but believes her team will shock some people.
“I think Belmont is going to be very good and they deserve to be on top,” Turner said.
You can see the Racers in action against Lindsey Wilson College at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1, at the CFSB Center.
