1997–98 Murray State Racers men's basketball team

The 1997–98 Murray State Racers men's basketball team represented Murray State University during the 1997–98 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Racers, led by third-year head coach Mark Gottfried, played their home games at Racer Arena in Murray, Kentucky, as members of the Ohio Valley Conference. They finished the season 29–4, 16–2 in OVC play to win the OVC regular season title. They defeated Austin Peay to win the OVC tournament to advance to the NCAA tournament. As No. 9 seed in the Midwest region, the Racers were beaten by No. 8 seed and eventual Elite Eight participant Rhode Island, 97–74.[2]

1997–98 Murray State Racers men's basketball
Ohio Valley Regular season champions
Ohio Valley tournament champions
NCAA tournament, first round
ConferenceOhio Valley Conference
Ranking
APNo. 25
Record29–4 (16–2 OVC)
Head coach
Home arenaRacer Arena
1997–98 Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 25 Murray State162 .889294  .879
Eastern Illinois135 .7221611  .593
Middle Tennessee126 .667199  .679
Austin Peay117 .6111711  .607
Southeast Missouri State108 .5561413  .519
Tennessee State810 .4441316  .448
Eastern Kentucky810 .4441017  .370
Tennessee Tech513 .278921  .300
UT Martin513 .278720  .259
Morehead State216 .111323  .115
1998 OVC tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll[1]

Roster

1997–98 Murray State Racers men's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearHometown
G 10 Chad Townsend
Sr
G 12 Aubrey Reese 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)185 lb (84 kg) So Auburn, Alabama
F 31 Isaac Spencer 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)205 lb (93 kg) Fr Montgomery, Alabama
G 51 De'Teri Mayes 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Sr Montgomery, Alabama
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • (W) Walk-on

    [3]

    Schedule and results

    Date
    time, TV
    Rank# Opponent# Result Record Site (attendance)
    city, state
    Regular season
    Dec 18, 1997*
    Campbellsville W 112–70 
    Racer Arena 
    Murray, Kentucky
    Dec 21, 1997*
    at Western Kentucky W 86–75 
    E. A. Diddle Arena 
    Bowling Green, Kentucky
    Dec 25, 1997*
    vs. No. 12 Arkansas
    Puerto Rico Holiday Classic
    W 94–83 
    Eugene Guerra Sports Complex 
    San Juan, Puerto Rico
    Dec 26, 1997*
    2:00 p.m.
    vs. Iowa State
    Puerto Rico Holiday Classic
    W 84–76 OT
    Eugene Guerra Sports Complex (500)
    San Juan, Puerto Rico
    Jan 3, 1998
    at Middle Tennessee L 71–76 OT
     
    Murfreesboro, Tennessee
    Jan 10, 1998
    at Tennessee-Martin W 67–56 
    Kathleen and Tom Elam Center 
    Martin, Tennessee
    Jan 29, 1998
    Middle Tennessee W 78–75 
    Racer Arena 
    Murray, Kentucky
    Feb 7, 1998
    Tennessee-Martin W 94–66 
    Racer Arena 
    Murray, Kentucky
    Ohio Valley Conference tournament
    Feb 24, 1998*
    (1) (8) Tennessee Tech
    Quarterfinals
    W 84–63  27–3
    Racer Arena 
    Murray, Kentucky
    Feb 28, 1998*
    (1) vs. (4) Austin Peay
    Semifinals
    W 81–56  28–3
    Gaylord Entertainment Center 
    Nashville, Tennessee
    Mar 1, 1998*
    (1) vs. (7) Tennessee State
    Championship game
    W 92–69  29–3
    Gaylord Entertainment Center 
    Nashville, Tennessee
    NCAA tournament
    Mar 13, 1998*
    (9 MW) No. 25 vs. (8 MW) Rhode Island
    First round
    L 74–97  29–4
    Myriad Convention Center 
    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
    MW=Midwest.
    All times are in Central Time.

    [4]

    Rankings

    Awards and honors

    References

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