The Racers could be close to adding another piece to their scheduling puzzle.

When last we left you, Steve Prohm had 27 of the 29 openings filled on his Murray State schedule for the 2012-13 season.  As of today's he's still at 27 -- thanks in part to VCU.  Prohm has been working with VCU coach Shaka Smart for months to set up a home-and-home series starting next season -- a series that would begin in Murray.  After VCU moved from the Colonial Athletic Association to the Atlantic 10 Conference, their schedule became a lot more complicated -- and the potential Murray State/VCU game ended up being a casualty.  It's hard to say how much switching conferences had to do with it, but as Prohm told me via email: "VCU is not happening."
 
What may be happening is Valparaiso. Prohm said he is working on a deal to bring Valpo in next season, although nothing is finalized yet.  Valpo is coming off a 22-12 season and their first ever regular-season Horizon League title.  The Crusaders lost in the opening round of the NIT to Miami, FL.
 
Assuming Valpo gets done, don't be surprised if landing that elusive 29th game doesn't happen until next month.  In the end, a lot of teams, just like Murray State, are holding out for home games.  Eventually, someone will get desperate enough to say they'll open a series on the road.  That's what Prohm and the Racers are waiting on to happen.  It will happen, but it will take time.
 
Two other scheduling notes:
 
- Prohm says at this point the tentative dates haven't moved.  I guess that means they're one step closer to becoming "official dates."
 
- Prohm expects Bethel to be one of the NAIA games, but we don't know yet which NAIA slot Bethel will fill.
 
2012-13 Murray State Tentative Schedule
 
11/10 vs. NAIA
11/15-11/18 at Charleston Classic
11/24 vs. NAIA
11/27 at Lipscomb
 
12/8 at Evansville
 
12/16 vs. Western Kentucky
12/19 at Arkansas State
12/22 at Dayton
 
1/3 at SE Missouri State
1/5 at UT Martin
1/9 vs. Eastern Kentucky
1/12 at Austin Peay
1/17 vs. Eastern Illinois
1/19 vs. SIU-Edwardsville
1/24 at Tennessee Tech
1/26 at Jacksonville State
2/2 vs. Austin Peay
2/7 vs. Tennessee State
2/9 vs. Belmont
2/14 at SIU-Edwardsville
2/16 at Eastern Illinois
2/20 at Morehead State
2/23 vs. BracketBuster
2/28 vs. UT Martin
3/2 vs. SE Missouri State

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