Not many college basketball teams play 12 men deep, especially in the first half. The Murray State Racers did just that in their first game of the 2026-2027 season while running Tennessee State off the court in a dominant 94-64 win.

Second-year head coach Ryan Miller’s decision to play through his depth paid off quickly in a game with a very tight whistle. At halftime, the Racers had 13 team fouls to the Tigers’ 12, but with those fouls spread across 11 different Murray State players, coach Miller didn’t feel that foul trouble, while Tennessee State had two starters, Ty-Laur Johnson and Aaron Bradshaw, with 3 personal fouls at intermission.

Both Tennessee State players picked up their 4th personals early in the second half, forcing Bradshaw out of the game and making Johnson play passively. The Racers capitalized on that weakness, blowing the game open with a 16-2 run midway through the second half that put the game away for good.

Murray State’s heavy pressure caused issues for Tennessee State from the opening tipoff to the final buzzer, as the Racers generated 24 points off of 25 Tiger turnovers. The Racers kept the pressure on, but changed how they applied it throughout the game, starting in a half court trap and mixing in a traditional match press and a full court trap to keep the Tigers on their toes.

The Racers picked up their efficiency as the game went on, improving from a 42% field goal percentage at halftime to a 52% mark at the final buzzer, largely thanks to wide-open looks in the paint as Murray State beat their defenders to spots over and over again.

The win was just about everything Miller could have asked for to start the game. His team followed assignments, outhustled the opposition, and showed depth that will be critical over the course of the season. There’s still plenty to work on. Two technical fouls showed a need for increased discipline for the Racers, and their halfcourt offense left plenty of room for growth. Ryan Miller’s team has a ton of heart, grit, and athleticism, though, and that combination will power them through the toughest nights the Missouri Valley has to offer.