Gage Johnson
Sports Editor
After moving to 8-0 in OVC play, Murray State men’s basketball will look to extend its winning streak to 11 games with matchups against EIU and SIUE ahead.
Murray State
The Racers are coming off double-digit wins against Belmont and Tennessee State, holding on to the top spot in the conference.
Junior forward Devin Gilmore was a key contributor to Murray State’s success last week, particularly to its 76-64 win against the Tigers.
Gilmore was the definition of efficiency, shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the field for 13 points to go along with 10 rebounds for a double-double.
This kind of precision on the offensive end is nothing new to Gilmore. Head Coach Matt McMahon said it’s his constant effort that allows him to make such a large impact on both ends of the floor.
“Well I think we all know he brings great athleticism to the team,” McMahon said. “We’re always trying to push him to play with [a] great motor and great energy so he can showcase all of his abilities. What you’ve seen this year is just really incredible offensive efficiency from him.”
Redshirt freshman guard DaQuan Smith has also continued his solid play as of late, putting up 11 points and four assists against Belmont and 10 points and eight assists against TSU.
Smith has also continued his hot shooting from beyond the arc, sitting at 47% since the start of OVC play. McMahon attributes elevation in his jump shot and him gaining confidence to the guard’s recent success.
“He’s shot the ball so well since the beginning of OVC play,” McMahon said. “I think you just see his explosiveness and getting more and more comfortable and confident. He’s really bouncing up off the floor on his jumpshot, getting great elevation which I don’t think you saw back in November and early December. I think you see him getting more and more comfortable being the guy running the team.”
Continuing to be led by sophomore guard Tevin Brown, who’s averaging 19.7 ppg in OVC play, Murray State will look to come away with wins against EIU on Thursday, Jan. 30, and SIUE on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the CFSB Center.
EIU
After a rough start to the season, Eastern Illinois has turned things around and is riding a four-game win streak after defeating UT Martin and narrowly defeating SEMO. The Panthers sit at 11-9 overall, with an OVC record of 4-4.
McMahon credits their turnaround to being done with a long road stretch and becoming more comfortable with a more solidified rotation after dealing with injuries.
“It’s probably a combination of both,” McMahon said. “They got stuck where their last three non-league games were on the road and then first four conference games were on the road and then they got to go back home and I believe they’re undefeated at home this season overall. They also had an injury toward the middle of December that changed their rotation a little bit, so I’m sure [they’re] just getting more comfortable with each other there.”
The Panthers are fifth in the OVC in scoring and are led by junior guard Josiah Wallace, who has ramped up his play since the beginning of conference play. Wallace is averaging 18.3 ppg with a 52% clip from the floor.
“[He] was an all-league player a year ago,” McMahon said. “He’s played terrific their last 10 games or so. His production is way up. I think coach Jay Spoonhour always does a great job of identifying really good Junior College players who’ve come in and impacted his program.”
Another key contributor for EIU is junior guard George Dixon who is averaging 12.7 ppg and 8.7 rpg as a 6’5” guard.
“[He’s] a really good player,” McMahon said. “[He’s] very skilled, can score in the post, is an outstanding offensive rebounder—top-five in our league—[has] long arms, [is] really active [and] a physical player.”
The Panthers’ offense is rounded out by junior guard Mack Smith (13.2 ppg) and junior guard Marvin Johnson (9.4 ppg).
EIU also boasts one of the best defenses in the conference, allowing opponents to average 68.1 ppg.
This will be the first matchup between the two this season, as Murray State won both matchups in the 2018-19 season.
SIUE
The Cougars are coming off of matchups against SEMO and UT Martin, splitting the two to move to 5-16 overall and 2-6 in OVC play.
SIUE currently sits at 12th in the OVC, with its lone conference wins coming against SEMO and the conference powerhouse Belmont. Thanks to outscoring the Bruins 51-39 in the second half and five players finishing in double figures, the Cougars came away with a 79-69 win.
The Cougars have the 10th best offense in the conference and the eighth best defense, averaging 67.7 ppg while allowing opponents to average 73.4 ppg.
Offensively SIUE is led by junior guard Zeke Moore who is averaging 15.6 ppg in OVC play. Senior guard Tyrese Williford (12.1 ppg) and sophomore guard Cam Williams (11.8 ppg) are also key contributors on the offensive end, averaging double figures.
This is the first matchup between the two this season, with Murray State claiming both games in the 2018-19 season.
When and where
Murray State will look to stay undefeated in OVC play as they take on EIU at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, and SIUE at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the CFSB Center.
