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Ohio Valley Basketball: 2022 Conference Tournament preview and predictions

By Harry Schroeder

Dec 10, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Murray State Racers forward KJ Williams (0) drives to the basket during the second half against the Memphis Tigers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Murray State Racers forward KJ Williams (0) drives to the basket during the second half against the Memphis Tigers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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SIU-Edwardsville head coach Brian Barone
SIU-Edwardsville head coach Brian Barone /

First Round Games

The OVC’s unique bracketing system has the top two seeded teams receiving double byes into the tournament’s semifinals. The opening round pits teams five through eight against one another. Round one begins Wednesday, March 2

Game One – # 5 Tennessee State versus # 8 Southern Illinois Edwardsville

SIUE (11-20, 5-13) had to win two of its last three games to qualify for the tournament. Brian Barone’s team could have cashed it in when star guard Ray’Sean Taylor’s season ended with a knee injury, but SIUE’s ‘Find A Way’ mentality prevailed. Instead, they finished winning four of their final ten games, with two of the losses coming in overtime. Freshman DeeJuan Pruitt won two ‘Freshman of the Week’ awards and veteran Shamar Wright scored 21 points in the season finale to earn a trip to Evansville.

Tennessee State (13-17, 8-10) swept the Cougars this season, winning by five points in Edwardsville and by 16 in Nashville. The Tigers boast of four double-digit scorers. Carlos Marshall (12.9 ppg), Kassim Nicholson (11.6), Marcus Fitzgerald (11.1) and Dedric Boyd (10.0) make the Tigers a difficult team to scout.

TSU should win this relatively low-scoring game. Neither team averages as much as 70 points per game.

Game Two – # 6 Austin Peay versus # 7 Tennessee Tech

First-year APSU (12-16, 8-10) coach Nate James has put together a roster of young, long and talented players. 6’11 Freshman Elijah Hutchins-Everett leads the Governors in scoring (12.5 ppg) and rebounding (6.8). Redshirt freshman Caleb Stone-Carrawell averages 11.6 points-per-game and at 6’7 is a matchup nightmare. Junior Tariq Silver (10.4) is the team’s top threat from long distance.

Tennessee Tech (10-20, 7-10) is playing its best basketball at the right time of the season. The Golden Eagles have won three of their last four games and five of their last seven. Included in that run is a win over APSU. The Governors won the first meeting. Jr Clay (13.3 ppg) is dangerous from deep and has quietly been one of the OVC’s best players for several years. He and Keishawn Davidson (10.2) have each accumulated over 100 assists. Tech does not have much size.

James played for and coached under Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. APSU’s size and skill will win this opening-round game.