BY JOSH LANDER

The Murray State Racers were college basketball’s last undefeated squad. That is, until they lost to Tennessee State Thursday night.

After blowing a 7-point halftime lead the Racers still had a shot to win it at the end, but threw the ball away with 3 and a half seconds left.  As ESPN’s Steve Levy put it...

“The whole country got involved.  The last unbeaten team in Division 1 men’s college basketball.  I watched those last two minutes of that game.  That was not a great display of basketball, really by either team.”

All season long, as the mid-major school cruised through its schedule, the question was repeatedly asked – are the Racers deserving?  The Spread says no.

“Beating up on the 309th toughest schedule doesn't impress me as much as it does the pollsters. I have a problem ranking teams in the Top 10 when they play creampuff after creampuff.”

Others, such as Twine Tickle, agree, saying MSU’s season would look a lot different playing better teams.

“...this team would get run out of the gym by the elite teams in the nation, and they would probably have a hard time hanging around with many teams in the top 20. If the Racers play anybody that takes care of the basketball and has any height, they are in trouble.”

But not all are hating on Murray State after its first loss.  Tourney Bubble says give the Racers a break.

“The fact is, Murray State gets every single team in the Valley’s best shot every single time they take the floor. Someone was bound to get them and it just happened to be the second best team in the conference. It’s not a ‘bad loss’ by a long shot...”

But after that loss, the new debate will be MSU’s chances of making the NCAA tournament.  As NBCSports explains, they’re still in good shape.  But with what seed?

“Murray State’s destiny is in their hands. While I believe that the Racers are overrated when they are ranked as a top 10 team, I firmly believe that this is a group that deserves to be considered among the top 25 in the country.”

Murray State faces another tough game February 18 when it hosts fellow mid-major and number 13-ranked Saint Mary’s College.