Murray State released it's 2017-16 basketball schedule yesterday and it features a home game with Auburn on December 19 at the CFSB Center. It's the first time a Southeastern Conference team has played in Murray since Mississippi came to town back in 1993.
So, how did head coach Matt McMahon pull it off?
"It got late in the process and they needed a road game," he said. "We needed a home game so it worked out well for us. We don't have all the details worked out But we'll definitely return the game next year."
The Racers will play 17 home games and 13 on the road. Other highlights include a home game against Middle Tennessee on November 13, a home game against Southern Illinois on November 25 and road games at St. Louis, Illinois State, and Wright State.
"It's a challenging schedule, but one that will prepare us for OVC play," McMahon said. "And I think it will be exciting for our fans."
Murray State Men's Basketball Schedule 2017-18
NOVEMBER
Thu 02 Home McKendree (Exhibition), 7PM
Fri 10 Home Brescia , 7PM
Mon 13 Home Middle Tennessee, 7PM
Sat 18 Away Wright State, TBA
Sat 25 Home Southern Illinois, 7PM
Tue 28 Home Harris Stowe, 7PM
DECEMBER
Sat 02 Home Florida A&M, 7PM
Sat 09 Away Illinois State, TBA
Tue 12 Away Saint Louis, TBA
Sat 16 Home Marist, 7PM
Tue 19 Home Auburn, 7PM
Fri 22 Away Detroit Mercy, TBA
Thu 28 Home *Eastern Illinois, 7PM
Sat 30 Home *SIUE, 7PM
JANUARY
Thu 04 Home *Southeast Missouri, 7PM
Sat 06 Home *UT Martin, 7PM
Thu 11 Away *Jacksonville State, 7PM
Sat 13 Away *Tennessee Tech, TBA
Thu 18 Away *Tennessee State, TBA
Sat 20 Away *Belmont, TBA
Thu 25 Home *Morehead State, 7PM
Sat 27 Home *Eastern Kentucky, 7PM
FEBRUARY
Thu 01 Away *Southeast Missouri, TBA
Sat 03 Away *UT Martin, TBA
Thu 08 Home *Austin Peay, 7PM
Sat 10 Away *SIUE, TBA
Thu 15 Home *Jacksonville State, 7PM
Sat 17 Home *Tennessee Tech, 7PM
Thu 22 Away *Eastern Illinois, TBA
Sat 24 Away *Austin Peay, TBA
Wed 28 Neutral #OVC 1st Round, 6PM/8PM
MARCH
Thu 01 Neutral #OVC Quarterfinals, 6PM/8PM
Fri 02 Neutral #OVC Semifinals, TBA
Sat 03 Neutral #OVC Finals, TBA
All times are Central Time and subject to change.
* OVC Game
# - OVC Tournament - Ford Center - Evansville, Ind.