The final memory Eastern’s men’s basketball team will have of its season is a 30-point loss at Murray State. Panthers head coach Rick Samuels must be under the impression that the “Welcome to Murray” sign is an oxymoron.

It’s also ironic that I bring up a memory when referring to the current rivalry against the Racers. For its a memory that led Murray State to turn Senior Night into a never ending blowout.

I remember walking into the Mattoon Steak N’ Shake last month after Eastern got smoked 85-67 at home against the Racers. To resemble comedian Lewis Balck, I needed to put my teeth in a steak burger before they reached around my head and started to eat my brain.

As I was going in, I saw and introduced myself to Racers head coach Mick Cronin who had two very important things to stress to me. I agreed with his first point which was basically that he could’ve beaten this Eastern team by much more but decided against it. His second point was a tiny bit more vague but just as effective.

“And by the way, that dunk, I’ll remember that.” Cronin said.

The first-year Murray State coach was referring to the play when Eastern was down by 20 and backup point guard Joey Cortez tossed the ball off the backboard on a two-on-one break finishing with sophomore guard Josh Gomes getting a video game like dunk. For further reference, as Mr. Gomes ran back down the floor and Lantz Arena quieted down, the Panthers were still down by 18.

After Cronin made his comment, I instantly got the feeling that he was the most irritated man who’d ever gotten a 17-point road victory. And by the way, he was planning an old-fashioned woodshed beating down in Murray, Ky.

Final Score: Murray State 81, Eastern 51. Yup, I’d say Cronin and crew made sure justice was served.

Honestly, Eastern didn’t have a chance.

I can imagine Cronin playing the game tape to his players and “that dunk” being the only thing he shows them.

The weekly practice had to of been similar to when former Illinois head coach Bill Self put on the military fatigues and ran his new players silly.

For nearly, a month I’ve been preaching Eastern dug its own grave on this one.

Here’s a little tip for the Eastern players, the reason you have this awful taste in your mouth to end a season is because while you were losing badly at home, you managed to pull of a double whammy and tick off the opponent at the same time.

At some point, it should’ve clicked in the heads of Cortez and Gomes that making a team mad who is 22-5 and should be given at large consideration for the NCAA Tournament simply isn’t smart.

Personally, I’m surprised Cronin didn’t beat Eastern by 40, 50 or 60. However, it probably wasn’t for lack of trying.

Now, Eastern’s season is over and honestly, they will be better next year but I have to believe that they’ve probably learned a lesson and will never make that same mistake again.

A show for the fans is nice but a light bulb proclaiming not right here and not right now needs to light up. The one fact is coaches remember every detail of a game especially when they perceive that they’ve been shown up.