The Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball season is off to a roaring start, and few teams have made as much noise as the Murray State Racers. With back-to-back wins over Drake and Valparaiso, the Racers have not only established themselves as early contenders in The Valley, but they’ve also showcased a pair of breakout stars who are quickly becoming household names across the league.
Senior forward Fred King and freshman guard Roman Domon were both honored by the MVC this week for their standout performances, with King taking home the Newcomer of the Week award and Domon being named Freshman of the Week. Their efforts have propelled Murray State to a 2-0 record in conference play and generated a palpable buzz ahead of their upcoming clash with Southern Illinois at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.
King, hailing from Mangrove Cay, Bahamas, has been a force on both ends of the floor. Over the Racers’ two most recent victories, he averaged a robust 17.5 points on 53 percent shooting, pulled down 16 rebounds, and swatted away six shots. His performance against Drake was particularly noteworthy, as he posted his second double-double for Murray State with 16 points and 11 rebounds. It’s no wonder he currently leads the MVC in rebounding at 8.2 per game, ranks second in blocked shots with 23, and sits 13th in scoring at 13.0 points per contest.
“Fred’s presence in the paint changes games for us,” said Racers head coach Ryan Miller in a recent post-game press conference. “He’s got the experience, the athleticism, and the mindset to anchor our defense and give us a reliable scoring option down low.”
While King has been a steadying veteran influence, it’s the emergence of Roman Domon that has fans and analysts alike buzzing. The freshman from Amiens, France, averaged 14.5 points across the Racers’ two MVC wins and was lethal from the charity stripe, converting 18-of-22 free throws for an impressive 81 percent. Domon’s knack for drawing contact and finishing through traffic was on full display in Murray State’s 85-79 victory at Valparaiso, where he poured in a career-high 20 points.
Domon’s early-season exploits have already earned him two Freshman of the Week honors—he previously won the award on December 1. He’s one of just 24 freshmen nationally who are averaging at least 10 points and five rebounds per game, and among MVC rookies he ranks second in both points (12.7) and rebounds (5.2) per contest. His ability to impact the game on both ends has made him a key piece of the Racers’ rotation despite his youth.
“Roman plays with a maturity beyond his years,” Miller said. “He attacks the basket, gets to the line, and doesn’t shy away from big moments. That’s rare for a freshman.”
Murray State’s success this season isn’t just about King and Domon, though. The Racers have now collected five MVC weekly honors, with Javon Jackson named Player of the Week back on November 7 and Layne Taylor taking Newcomer of the Week on December 15. That depth of talent is a big reason why the Racers were picked third in the league’s preseason poll and have started conference play with such momentum.
The win over Valparaiso was a hard-fought battle that showcased the Racers’ resilience. The Beacons, playing at home, led for nearly 25 minutes and were ahead by as many as eight points with just over 13 minutes to play in the second half. But Murray State clawed its way back, ultimately outshooting Valpo at the free-throw line—making 23-of-28 attempts compared to Valpo’s 10-of-15—and sealing the victory in the game’s closing minutes.
Valparaiso, now 6-6 overall and 0-1 in MVC play, was led by redshirt senior Owen Dease, who came off the bench for a career-high 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting. It was a performance for the ages, marking the highest point total by a Valpo reserve against a Division-I opponent since 2010. Despite the loss, the Beacons’ young core showed plenty of promise, with freshmen Rakim Chaney and JT Pettigrew both ranking among the league’s top rookie scorers. Pettigrew, in particular, is one of just two MVC freshmen (alongside Domon) to average at least 9.9 points and five rebounds per game.
“We’re proud of how our young guys are competing,” said Valpo head coach Roger Powell Jr., now in his third season at the helm. “Owen gave us a huge lift, and our freshmen are gaining valuable experience every night. We just need to close games better.”
Valpo’s defensive metrics remain impressive—they rank fifth nationally in offensive steal percentage and third in the MVC in turnover margin at +1.75. The Beacons have also been dunking with authority, already surpassing last season’s total with 39 slams through 12 games. Junior center Shon Tupuola has been a key contributor, averaging 1.42 blocks (fourth in MVC), 6.9 rebounds (third), and 7.8 points per game. His all-around play has helped keep Valpo competitive, even as they search for more consistency in conference play.
Looking ahead, both teams face critical stretches. Murray State will return home to host the Southern Illinois Salukis on Monday, December 29, with tip-off set for 6 p.m. at the CFSB Center. The Racers will be looking to extend their perfect start in MVC action and continue building on the chemistry that’s made them one of the league’s most intriguing squads.
Valpo, meanwhile, faces a tough road test at UNI on December 29 before heading to Southern Illinois for a New Year’s Day matinee. The Beacons will be eager to bounce back and notch their first conference win, leaning on the continued development of their young roster and the leadership of veterans like Brody Whitaker, who is fast approaching 1,500 career collegiate points.
It’s early days in the Missouri Valley Conference, but the storylines are coming fast and furious. Can Murray State’s dynamic duo of King and Domon keep up their torrid pace? Will Valpo’s freshmen continue to rise to the occasion and help the Beacons turn close losses into wins? With the heart of the league schedule looming, fans across The Valley are in for a wild ride.
For now, the Racers and their star duo are the talk of the conference, and all eyes will be on Murray, Kentucky, when Southern Illinois comes to town next week. Stay tuned—this race is just heating up.
