Racer Mania provided a preseason showcase for Murray State men's and women's basketball as the regular season inches closer.

And then the call came from Murray State to become a head coach in Division One for the first time. Something he’d always hoped would become a reality.

My parents threw a basketball in our hand when I was an infant. So it's been a huge part of our life. And the places it's taken us has been phenomenal,” new Murray State coach Ryan Miller recalled.

Led by guards Tre Carroll and Malik Messina-Moore, Xavier's offense found a rhythm in the second half while in comeback mode. Xavier trimmed the double-digit deficit behind Carroll, who led the Musketeers with 21 points. Messina-Moore, a Montana transfer, hit Xavier's first 3-pointer with 18:08 remaining.

The Murray State News won seven Pinnacle Awards, including two first places, from the College Media Association during MediaFest in Washington, D.C., Oct. 15-18.

Omaha Mavericks vs. Murray State Racers Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Monday, 1:30 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Racers -4.5; over/under is 147.5 BOTTOM LINE: Murray State begins the season at home against Omaha.

Xavier's team of newcomers under first-year head coach Richard Pitino will get a test run vs. Murray State Oct. 18 before the Nov. 3 season opener.

The Odessa American is the leading source of local news, information, entertainment and sports for the Permian Basin.

Bet Cardinals vs. Cowboys at Caesars Sportsbook, where new users get 20 100% profit boosts with the promo code CBS20X: SportsLine NFL expert Larry Hartstein said.