OVC Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

By Logan Butts | Mar 3, 2020

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - DECEMBER 28: Terry Taylor #21 of the Austin Peay Governors looks to drive during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on December 28, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Governors 76-65. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – MARCH 21: The Murray State Racers celebrate (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Key Teams

Team to Beat – Belmont: 24-7, 15-3 in OVC play

The Bruins enter the tournament as the top seed for the second consecutive year, but the group that brought them there looks a little different this time around. In their first season PBR (Post-Rick Byrd), Belmont rode a pair of sophomores (Murphy and Muszynski), a junior that really stepped up his game from a season ago (Kunkel), and a grad transfer senior (Tyler Scanlon). New head coach Casey Alexander played and coached under Byrd, so the transition has been pretty seamless at the top.

Top Contender – Murray State: 22-8, 15-3

The Racers also had a seismic change during the offseason: Ja Morant went second overall in the NBA draft. Life without Morant (and Shaq Buchanan) was not supposed to be this easy, but there’s a reason Murray State has been a consistently strong presence in college basketball for a while now – they just get the job done. The Bruins better watch out, because the Racers are coming for their spot again this season.

Secondary Contender – Austin Peay: 20-11, 14-4

It felt unfair to label Austin Peay as a dark horse. They have been in lockstep with the big two for almost the entire season, even if outsiders have not caught on yet. They will more than likely have to take out both Murray State and Belmont, but it isn’t like they haven’t already done that this year. The Govs split the season series with both of them, and I would love to see a neutral site rubber match.

Dark Horse – Eastern Illinois: 16-14, 9-9

This spot could have also went to Tennessee State or Eastern Kentucky, but the Panthers have upset both APSU and Murray State down the stretch. Josiah Wallace leads a balanced backcourt full of scorers that could take advantage of any team on the right night.