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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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Ohio Valley Basketball Murray State Racers guard Tevin Brown Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio Valley Basketball Murray State Racers guard Tevin Brown Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /

Semifinals

Game 5 – # 1 Murray State versus Southeast Missouri State

A well-rested Murray State team should handle a Southeast Missouri team playing its third game in three days. The Racers just finished a four games, in nine-days grind. Matt McMahon’s team will be well-rested and hopefully (for the Racers) will have Jordan Skipper-Brown back for the tournament (ankle).

Murray’s showdown with either Morehead State or Belmont could be a classic.

Game 6 – #2 Belmont versus # 3 Morehead State

This game could come down to a showdown between Johni Broome and Nick Muszynski. The big lefties will look to carry their teams. But don’t overlook the ‘supporting casts’. Belmont’s additional fire-power could give them the edge, but it was this Bruin team that Morehead defeated last season for the tournament title.

Ben Sheppard, Will Richard, Luke Smith, and Grayson Murphy can hurt the opposition in so many ways. If Sheppard goes off, the Bruins will win easily. How the Eagles defend the Bruins’ leading scorer is a key component in this game. He made 70 three-pointers this year, scored 41 points against Tennessee Tech.

The two teams split their regular-season series. If the two mastodons neutralize each other, it comes down to the other players and Belmont is the deeper team.

The Bruins should win this game and head to the finals against their nemesis, the Murray State Racers.

Game 7 – # 1 Murray State versus # 2 Belmont

This is round three of the battle of the soon departing Ohio Valley titans. OVC fans will want Belmont to win this game so that two conference teams will advance to the NCAA Tournament. While the Racers will be the favorite in this game, don’t assume the Bruins will go down easily.

The Racers won both regular-season games decisively, but if Belmont can get off to a strong start, they have a chance at the upset. Typically, several thousand Murray State fans make the trek to Evansville and playing in the Ford Center is like playing a Racers’ home game.

Watch out for ‘Big Game Justice Hill‘. The bigger the game, the better he plays.

Next. Predicting winners of all 32 conference tournaments. dark

Belmont’s long-range game has been struggling for the past few games. If their snipers can get hot early, there could be a different outcome.

However, Murray State will win the OVC Tournament and hopefully secure a seven-seed invitation to the NCAA Tournament.