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OVC Basketball: Belmont, Murray State favorites for 2019 conference tournament

By Logan Butts

AUBURN, ALABAMA - DECEMBER 22: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers goes up for a dunk against the Auburn Tigers at Auburn Arena on December 22, 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AUBURN, ALABAMA - DECEMBER 22: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers goes up for a dunk against the Auburn Tigers at Auburn Arena on December 22, 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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MURRAY, KY – FEBRUARY 09: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers reacts in the second half of the game against the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars at CFSB Center on February 9, 2019 in Murray, Kentucky. Murray State won 86-55. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MURRAY, KY – FEBRUARY 09: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers reacts in the second half of the game against the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars at CFSB Center on February 9, 2019 in Murray, Kentucky. Murray State won 86-55. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Tournament Predictions

First Round

5. Morehead State over 8. SIUE

SIUE beat Morehead in the regular season, but the Eagles have looked better on the season.

6. Eastern Illinois over 7. UT Martin

Eastern Kentucky would be more exciting than either of these teams. You have to love tiebreakers. I’ll take EIU just barely thanks to Josiah Wallace .

Quarterfinals

4. Austin Peay over 5. Morehead State

The gap here is much larger than the seeds would suggest.

3. Jacksonville State over 6. Eastern Illinois

JSU is too talented not to get a shot at the top seeds.

Semifinals

1. Belmont over 4. Austin Peay

The Bruins rarely go out before the finals, but APSU could trouble Belmont. The Govs only lost by four in the regular season, but that was at  home.

2. Murray State over 3. Jacksonville State

The Gamecocks will give Murray State everything they can handle, especially after beating them in the regular season, but Morant and company should be able to withstand the storm.

Next. Ranking all 32 conference tournaments. dark

Finals

2. Murray State over 1. Belmont

In a reversal of 2015 and 2013, the second-seeded Racers will take out the top-seeded Bruins. Maybe Belmont’s squad can earn an at-large bid based on their resume, but I’m banking on Morant taking Murray dancing.