RACERS EXPECTED TO TAKE CHECKERED FLAG; MURRAY ST. WILL TRY TO OVERCOME BACKCOURT LOSSES

Despite losing a star-studded backcourt, Murray State's Racers are expected to continue their Ohio Valley Conference basketball dominance this season.

Murray State -- even though standout guards De'Teri Mayes and Chad Townsend have used up their eligibility -- is a near unanimous choice to win its 11th OVC regular-season title in the past 12 years.

The defending OVC regular-season and tournament champion Racers -- who won a league-record 29 games last year -- received 17 of a possible 18 first-place votes in a poll of the conference's head coaches and sports information directors (teams are not allowed to pick their own finish).

Tennessee State, which made it to the OVC tourney title game last year after placing just seventh in the regular season, earned two first-place votes and was second in the poll.

Austin Peay picked up the remaining first-place vote and was selected to finish third, with Middle Tennessee and Southeast Missouri following close behind.

Rounding out the poll were Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Illinois, Tennessee-Martin, Tennessee Tech and Morehead State.

Following is a brief look at the OVC squads, in the order of how they were picked to finish. Last year's overall and conference records are in parentheses.

Murray State (29-4, 16-2)

The Racers have a new head coach as former assistant Tevester Anderson takes over for Mark Gottfried, who left for Alabama.

But even under new leadership, the Racers don't figure to miss a beat as they return three starters and eight letterwinners from a team that was ranked 25th in the final AP poll.

MSU has its entire frontline back, led by forward Isaac Spencer, the OVC Newcomer of the Year last season. Spencer averaged 13.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while ranking fourth in the nation in field-goal percentage at 63.3.

Also back up front for the Racers are forward Rod Murray (9.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and center Duane Virgil (8.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg)

Three other players who saw considerable action in the frontcourt also return.

The backcourt is a question mark because Mayes and Townsend left such big shoes to fill. But Aubrey Reese (4.6 ppg) was an extremely capable backup for Townsend at the point, as was sharpshooter Aaron Page (6.6 ppg) for Mayes at the other guard spot. Touted newcomer Marlon Towns will battle Page for Mayes' old position.

"We're very excited about our team, with three starters back, but we have some very, very big holes to fill," said Anderson.

Tennessee State (13-16, 8-10)

Coach Frankie Allen's Tigers, fueled by the return of all five starters, look to build on the momentum of last season's late charge that saw them win six of their final nine games and reach the OVC tourney finals.

TSU's frontcourt is led by forward Jason Johnson, who has earned second-team all-OVC honors the past two seasons. Johnson ranked among the league's top 10 in scoring (13.4 ppg) and rebounding (7.4 rpg) last year.

Also back up front are center Julian Bankston (5.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and forward Keith Samuel (7.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg).

The Tigers' guards are among the league's best. Jamie Roberts (14.9 ppg) was the OVC's Freshman of the Year last season while Kevin Samuel (12.8 ppg, 3.4 apg) also had a strong campaign.

Guard Brian Williams (4.9 ppg) was a solid backup last year while several newcomers should contribute greatly.

"We finished strong last year, but as far as this year, everything is just speculation right now," said Allen. "What it gets down to is who can put their teams together."

Austin Peay (17-11, 11-7)

The Governors have finished fifth or better in the OVC standings for the past five seasons and, despite the loss of three starters, appear poised to continue that streak.

Coach Dave Loos welcomes back eight lettermen but much of the Govs' optimism revolves around two talented newcomers.

Topping the list of returnees is forward Jerome Jackson (13.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg), who earned second-team all-OVC honors last year. Joining him up front is forward James Stewart (9.5 ppg), coming off a strong freshman season. The center spot is a concern.

In the backcourt, Trenton Hassell and Nick Stapleton will make their highly-anticipated college debuts after failing to meet NCAA eligibility requirements last year.

Hassell was rated as one of the nation's top 100 players as a high school senior while Stapleton scored 51 points in a Michigan high school all-star game.

Adding backcourt depth are returnees Willie Ivory (4.7 ppg) and J.J. Halliburton (4.0 ppg).

"I'm not sure how good our team will be," said Loos. "We have good talent, but we have a lot of new faces. We have to come together."

Middle Tennessee (19-9, 12-6)

The Raiders have posted back-to-back 19-win seasons and third-place OVC finishes in their two seasons under coach Randy Weil. With seven lettermen and two of its top three scorers back, MTSU should contend once again.

A deep backcourt should be the Raiders' strength. Richard Duncan (9.8 ppg, 4.2 ppg) begins his third season as the team's starting point guard but will be challenged by transfer Allen Hatchett, who started for two years at Southeast Missouri.

Kent Ayer (4.8 ppg), Kevin White (3.0 ppg) and Coastal Carolina transfer Gerald King solidify the other guard spot.

MTSU's top returning scorer is swingman Freddie Martinez (12.3 ppg). Ali McGhee (7.0 ppg) is also back up front. Center is a question mark.

"We won't be young, but we will be very inexperienced," Weil said. "We have a lot of spots to fill."

Southeast Missouri (14-13, 10-8)

In his debut season at the school last year, coach Gary Garner led the Indians to their first winning season since 1992-93.

Bolstered by the return of five players who started nine or more games a year ago, plus the addition of two key Division I transfers, Southeast could challenge for a high OVC finish.

A big key for the Indians will be the success of center Bud Eley, the OVC preseason Player of the Year. Eley was limited to just 11 games last year because of foot injuries but he has averaged more than 17 points and 10 rebounds in his college career.

Also returning up front is forward Demetrius Watson (8.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg) while Wisconsin-Milwaukee transfer Roderick Johnson and junior-college transfers Mike Branson and Brian Bunche all figure to play key roles.

The Indians have one of the league's top backcourts. Cory Johnson (14.5 ppg) earned second-team all-OVC honors after sinking a school-record 95 3-pointers. He's joined by Kahn Cotton (12.2 ppg, 4.0 apg) and Saint Louis transfer Jeramy Biles.

Adding even more depth in the backcourt are Nathan Owen (5.3 ppg), Matt Morris (2.5 ppg) and freshman Fred Abraham.

"We're excited because we feel like we can have a good basketball team," Garner said. "But in this league, I think six or seven teams, and maybe even as many as eight, have a chance to go to Nashville (for the conference tournament semifinals)."

Eastern Kentucky (10-17, 8-10)

Second-year coach Scott Perry's Colonels enter the season as the OVC's biggest unknown. Gone are nine letterwinners, including all five starters, but in their place is a highly-touted recruiting class.

EKU returns just three players from last season, all of whom started seven games. Guard Chris Fitzgerald (5.7 ppg) is a solid outside threat while forwards Ibrahim Myles (4.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and Warren Stukes (1.9 ppg) are back up front.

Newcomers could fill every starting spot. The top incoming player is forward Charles Thomas, who was the sixth man on Minnesota's Final Four team of two years ago.

The Colonels are also expecting big things from center Ronnie Griffin and guard Whitney Robinson, two players with exceptional prep credentials.

"We have a lot of new faces this year, but I'm excited about our talent level, our energy," Perry said. "Now it's a matter of trying to jell."

Eastern Illinois (16-11, 13-5)

Coach Rick Samuels' Panthers exceeded most expectations last year by finishing second in the OVC. Reaching those heights again could be difficult because EIU must replace seven lettermen, including all-OVC guard Rick Kaye.

The Panthers will build around two talented perimeter players in Jack Owens (11.2 ppg, 4.6 apg) and Marc Polite (10.3 ppg). Kyle Hill (5.4 ppg) and Greg Kitsou (3.8 ppg) add depth on the outside.

EIU has many question marks up front, especially since center John Smith (5.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg) will be out until at least January due to academic problems.

Center Michael Shaver (1.3 ppg) will be trying to overcome injuries that have plagued him while forward Keith Hibbler (1.8 ppg) also returns.

"We've got some talent, but we're young," said Samuels. "I'm not sure how we'll respond to the wars we'll have to go into."

Tennessee-Martin (7-20, 5-13)

For the first time since joining the OVC and Division I in 1992-93, the Skyhawks will be eligible to compete for the OVC Tournament title and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

With that added motivation and the return of their top three scorers from a year ago, veteran coach Cal Luther's Skyhawks hope to make some major improvements.

The Skyhawks will build around one of the league's top insider players in forward Ryan DeMichael (14.9 ppg, 9.8 rpg), who became just the second UTM player to earn first-team all-OVC honors last year.

Another key inside player back is center Joe Crumby (13.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg).

UTM's backcourt is led by sharpshooter Jason Ohlsen (10.5 ppg).

Several newcomers will be counted on to fill in the gaps around DeMichael, Crumby and Ohlsen.

"We're particularly excited because it's the first year we'll have the opportunity to participate in the postseason tournament," said Luther.

Tennessee Tech (9-21, 5-13)

New coach Jeff Lebo, a former standout player at North Carolina and an assistant at South Carolina the past several years, takes over a team coming off a struggling season.

The Golden Eagles' strength is a deep and experienced frontcourt led by Wesley Whitehorn (10.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg), Tech's top returning scorer and rebounder.

Also returning up front are Reggie Nelson (6.8 ppg), Eric Akins (6.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Adonis Hart (4.5 ppg.

In the backcourt, Ricardo Woodfine (5.8 ppg) and DeAntoine Beasley (2.9 ppg) both made several starts last year.

Lebo will be counting on several newcomers to help out.

"We have a long way to go," said Lebo. "We're not even talking about wins and losses this year."

Morehead State (3-23, 2-16)

The Eagles begin the second season of coach Kyle Macy's rebuilding plan trying to improve on last year's dismal record.

Macy, a former Kentucky All-American and NBA performer, brought in eight new players, including six junior-college transfers.

Three starters return, led by the team's lone senior, guard Ted Docks (5.3 ppg, 4.4 apg). Also back are forward Jeremy Webb (10.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and center Dewayne Krom (9.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg).

Several of the newcomers are expected to step into starting roles.

"Our expectations will be much higher this year," Macy said. "Not to say we'll be competing for the championship just yet, but we do expect to be better."

Predicted order of finish

1. Murray State

2. Tennessee State

3. Austin Peay

4. Middle Tennessee

5. Southeast Missouri

6. Eastern Kentucky

7. Eastern Illinois

8. Tennessee-Martin

9. Tennessee Tech

10. Morehead State