Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Nick Phillips - Murray State Athletics
Racers Picked Atop MVC Preseason Poll for First Time
10/13/2026 1:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Murray State received 32 of 50 first place votes
ST. LOUIS – The Murray State men's basketball team was picked first in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) 2026-27 preseason poll, the league office announced on Tuesday afternoon. The poll was voted on by the league's coaches, sports information directors and media members.
Murray State garnered 32 of the 50 total first place votes as the Racers tallied 517 total points, ahead of No. 2 Illinois State (seven first place votes) and No. 3 UIC (six first place votes). Belmont, Valparaiso and Bradley all received one first place vote as they rounded out the top six teams in the preseason poll.
The Valley's preseason player watchlist will be released October 21.
Murray State is coming off of a 20-13 overall record last season with a 12-8 mark in Missouri Valley Conference play and a third-place finish in the league standings, the program's best MVC regular season finish and most conference wins since joining The Valley. Murray State has six returning players from last year's 20-win season, but just three who saw action - Mathis Courbon, Roman Domon and Brayden Shorter – as the Racers added nine newcomers (four transfers, five freshmen).
Murray State opens the regular season on Monday, November 2 against Tennessee State in the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon. The Racers tipoff the home slate inside the reimagined CFSB Center on Saturday, November 7 against Northwestern State.
A limited number of single-game reserved tickets for the Racers' 2026-27 non-conference home schedule inside the newly renovated CFSB Center are now on sale. A limited number of loge boxes and courtside seats remain for the 2026-27 season, while ledge seating is completely sold out. For more information on how to purchase a loge box, CLICK HERE. Upper-level general admission bleacher seats went on sale for just $99 EACH and can still be purchased by clicking HERE.
Murray State garnered 32 of the 50 total first place votes as the Racers tallied 517 total points, ahead of No. 2 Illinois State (seven first place votes) and No. 3 UIC (six first place votes). Belmont, Valparaiso and Bradley all received one first place vote as they rounded out the top six teams in the preseason poll.
The Valley's preseason player watchlist will be released October 21.
Murray State is coming off of a 20-13 overall record last season with a 12-8 mark in Missouri Valley Conference play and a third-place finish in the league standings, the program's best MVC regular season finish and most conference wins since joining The Valley. Murray State has six returning players from last year's 20-win season, but just three who saw action - Mathis Courbon, Roman Domon and Brayden Shorter – as the Racers added nine newcomers (four transfers, five freshmen).
Murray State opens the regular season on Monday, November 2 against Tennessee State in the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon. The Racers tipoff the home slate inside the reimagined CFSB Center on Saturday, November 7 against Northwestern State.
A limited number of single-game reserved tickets for the Racers' 2026-27 non-conference home schedule inside the newly renovated CFSB Center are now on sale. A limited number of loge boxes and courtside seats remain for the 2026-27 season, while ledge seating is completely sold out. For more information on how to purchase a loge box, CLICK HERE. Upper-level general admission bleacher seats went on sale for just $99 EACH and can still be purchased by clicking HERE.
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