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NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 8 teams in the 2021 ESPN Events Invitational

By Cody Mitchell

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 27: Kevin Obanor #0 of the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles and Jaylin Williams #10 of the Arkansas Razorbacks jump for the opening tip off in the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 27, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 27: Kevin Obanor #0 of the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles and Jaylin Williams #10 of the Arkansas Razorbacks jump for the opening tip off in the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 27, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Belmont center Nick Muszynski ESPN Events Invitational NCAA Basketball An15632 1
Belmont center Nick Muszynski ESPN Events Invitational NCAA Basketball An15632 1 /

3. Belmont Bruins

The Bruins will once again be one of the best mid-majors in college hoops next season. Head coach Casey Alexander is bringing back all of his starters from a 26-4 team last season. The Bruins are always a very fundamentally sound team that lacks a little bit of athleticism, which was apparent in their loss to Morehead State in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship.

Nick Muszynski will lead the way for coach Alexander. 15 points and 5.6 rebounds are what he gave the Bruins last year which earned him a spot on the All-OVC first team. Musynzki is a traditional big who makes his money around the rim but can stretch out and knock down an open 12-foot jumper. Grayson Murphy returns as well, he is Mr. do it all for the bruins.

Murphy averaged over 10 points, 8 rebounds, and nearly 6 assists last season. He and Muszynski really flourish off the pick and roll up top, whether it’s Murphy taking the screen all the way to the rim or dishing it off to Muszynski. Jacobi Wood is the guy to keep an eye on. Coming off an excellent freshman season, we could see a major jump in a full offseason at Belmont. Oh and there’s more, The other two starters Ben Sheppard and Luke Smith aren’t going anywhere either. That’s another 20 point tandem returning to campus next season.

I don’t think Belmont has the athletic ability to guard Bama or Kansas in this tournament, but this is an extremely veteran team that has played plenty of games together. If the chips fall right and the Bruins get some favorable matchups early on, it wouldn’t shock me if they find themselves in the championship game.

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