The Murray State men’s and women’s basketball teams entered the 2025-26 in different positions.
The men’s team, coming off of a seventh-place conference finish in the previous season, looked to regroup and restructure under the leadership of first-year head coach Ryan Miller, following the release of former coach Steve Prohm and a significant amount of roster turnover.
The women’s team, following a 2024-25 season that saw the Racers win the Missouri Valley Conference and make an appearance in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, sought to build around a group of new and returning players, looking to improve where possible to repeat the success of the previous year.
However, from a statistical standpoint, both teams have not only met, but exceeded expectations to start the year.
After more than two months of regular season play to start the 2025-26 season, the Murray State men’s and women’s basketball teams stand atop the MVC. The men’s team, holding a 7-0 conference record on the year, have held an undefeated streak since Nov. 25’s victory against George Washington University in the Cayman Islands Classic, sporting a 16-3 record on the season, trailing only Belmont in total wins in the conference. The Bruins have proven themselves to be the Racers’ toughest in-conference competition in the 2025-26 season, standing only a game and a half behind Murray State.
The women’s team has also fought throughout the year to secure the top spot in the MVC, with their Jan. 19 win over the Belmont Bruins allowing the Racers to secure the conference lead. Following the win, the women’s team now also stands atop the MVC, holding a 16-2 season record with an 8-0 record in conference play.
Despite different expectations for both teams entering the 2025-26 season, each has been able to not only meet, but exceed all expectations en route to leading both MVC standings as March Madness approaches. However, this success didn’t materialize overnight. There were many contributing factors for both teams that allowed Murray State to take an early lead in both conference standings.
Men’s Basketball
The men’s team has been on a run that hasn’t been seen since Murray State’s last year in the Ohio Valley Conference.
In 12 straight wins for the Murray State men’s basketball team, there has been a constant in almost all games: offense. In 11 of the Racers’ last 12 wins, the team has scored over 80 points, with the only exception being in their Jan. 7 road win against Evansville, where they won 79-69. The Racers average 87.8 points per game this season, which is good for 21st in the nation.
In terms of scoring, senior guard Javon Jackson has led the way for the team. In 19 games, Jackson has scored 17.3 points per game, good for first on the team. A considerable amount of Jackson’s offensive success this year can also be attributed to an efficient year from beyond the arc, as the guard has shot over 43% from the three-point line this season.
Jackson’s reliability for the Racers has been reflected in his usage rate; the guard leads the team by a considerable margin, with 33%. Despite the pressure that may come with this kind of success, Jackson has not been deterred as the season progresses.
“We try not to focus (on) that we’re 8-0 now, we try not to focus on that and take it game by game.” Jackson said during the post-game conference on Jan. 17.
Women’s Basketball
The Murray State women’s basketball team has also capitalized on offense to take charge of their competition. After 18 games played, the Racers stand at 14th nationally in points scored per game, notching 85.1 points on average against their opponents.
Junior guard Halli Poock has proven to be an offensive weapon for the team, leading the team in both points, with 20.1, and assists, with 3.9 (tied with junior guard Haven Ford). Poock, in her second year with the Racers, has improved her scoring by over three points per game up to this point in the season.
Sharnecce Currie-Jelks has also contributed to the team’s success from both ends of the court. Currie-Jelks, who has won the MVC’s Newcomer of the Week award four times in the 2025-26 season, stands second on Murray State with 19.3 points per game and leads the team in rebounds per game with 12.4, and blocks, with 1.4. She currently leads the country in double-doubles with 15 on the year. Despite continued success, Currie-Jelks has managed to maintain confidence and consistency throughout the year, no matter the opponent.
“We trust each other,” Currie-Jelks said during the post-game conference on Jan. 11. “Like Coach always says, we have to grind every night, no matter if it’s a 30-point blowout or a double-OT game.”
The women’s team hopes to continue to build on the momentum they have accumulated in the 2025-26 season as the year progresses further. The Racers enter their next contest holding on to a 14-game win streak, a streak they have held since their Nov. 22 home win against UAB. As the NCAA tournament approaches, the Racers are preparing for any and all competition they may face. In head coach Rechelle Turner’s eyes, this is a challenge the team is willing and ready to face.
“This team has been ready, they’ve answered the bell every single time, and we’ll just continue to prepare, and hopefully they’ll be able to perform on the biggest stage when it’s time,” Turner said during the post-game conference on Jan. 11.
The men’s and women’s basketball teams now look ahead to their remaining games of the season. The men’s team opens its final 12 regular-season games on Wednesday, Jan 21, in Des Moines, Iowa, against the Drake Bulldogs. The women’s team begins its final 13 games on Friday, Jan. 23, on the road against Northern Iowa.
