Compiled by Staff writer Ed Marlowe
Murray State Racers
• Team Record: 30-1 (15-1, Ohio Valley)
• .477 FG percentage (23rd in the NCAA)
• 7.4-18.3 3-point per contest (.406, 5th in the NCAA)
• 29.5 percent 3-point defense (12th in the NCAA)
• 8.4 steals per game (21st in the NCAA)
• 74.1 points per game (39th in the NCAA)
• Plus-2.5 turnover margin (40th in the NCAA)
• Yield 61.2 pts. per game (37th in the NCAA)
• 4.2 blocks per game (75th in the NCAA)
• 13-0 in neutral site and away games
Keys for the Racers: If the Racers can maintain the same defense they have all season, look for Colorado State to have a tough go of it. Murray State forces turnovers and scores fast in transition and can run with any offense. With tenacious defense, however, comes fouls, and one of the Rams’ strong points is sinking free throws. If Colorado State slows it down and can pick their shots, this could be a close game. The Racers will have to limit second chances and clean the glass.
X-Factor: Ed Daniel, Ivan Aska and Latreze Mushatt. Can they win the rebound battle?
Murray State Starters
• Isaiah Canaan, 6’0”, Jr., PG (19.2 pts., 3.3 reb., 3.7 ast.)
• Donte Poole, 6’3”, Sr., SG (14.2 pts., 3.7 reb., 1.5 ast.)
• Jewuan Long, 6’1”, Sr., SG (8.5 pts., 3 reb., 2.6 ast.)
• Edward Daniel, 6’7”, Jr., PF/C (6.5 pts., 5.3 reb., .9 ast.)
• Ivan Aska, 6’7”, Sr., PF/C (10.9 pts., 5.7 reb., .5 ast.
Colorado State Rams
• Team Record: 20-11 (8-6, Mountain West)
• .476 FG percentage (25th in the NCAA)
• 6.0-14.8 3-point. per contest (.405, 6th in the NCAA)
• 16.8-21.8 FTs per contest (.769, 6th in the NCAA)
• 12.5 turnovers per game (78th in the NCAA)
• -.2 turnover differential (200th in the NCAA)
• 35.7 percent 3-point. defense (227th in the NCAA)
• 31.3 rebounds per game (300th in the NCAA)
• Yield 68.4 pts. per game (216th in the NCAA)
• 3-9 in neutral site and away games
Keys for the Rams: Look for Colorado State to slow the tempo of the game as much as possible, looking for ways to drive the lane and hit open threes. The Rams are just a clip behind the Racers in shooting the three and are one of the best teams in the NCAA at the charity stripe. With no rotation player taller than 6-foot-6, the Rams will have some trouble getting by the Racers, who have almost 100 more blocks and 100 more steals than Colorado State. The Rams must contest the three point line and win the turnover battle.
X-Factor: Wes Eikmeier and Dorian Green. The junior guards compose 40 percent of the Rams’ scoring. Can they turn it on in a big game away from home?
Colorado State Starters
• Dorian Green, 6’2”, Jr., G (13.5 pts., 3.5 reb., 2.5 ast.)
• Wes Eikmeier, 6’3”, Jr., G (15.6 pts., 1.8 reb., 2.1 ast.)
• Pierce Hornung, 6’5”, Jr., PF/C (8.7 pts., 8.4 reb., 1.8 ast.)
• Jesse Carr, 6’2”, Jr., G (7.1 pts., 3.2 reb., 2.6 ast.)
• Will Bell, 6’6”, Sr., PF/C (8.4 pts., 3.9 reb., 0.5 ast.)
