OVC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2023-24 season

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Preston Spradlin of the Morehead State Eagles speaks with Mark Freeman #0 in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on November 07, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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OVC Basketball Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks head coach Ryan Ridder Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Tennessee Martin Skyhawks – Head Coach Ryan Ridder

2022-23 record 19-14 overall, 10-8 in the OVC

Jordan Sears may be the OVC’s best player not named Mark Freeman. Morehead State’s star guard is the reigning OVC ‘Player of the Year’ but Sears isn’t far behind the fifth year performer. SIUE’s Ray’Sean Taylor is the league’s returning scoring leader (15.5 per game), Sears is second (15.3) and Freeman is third (15.0).

None of the three are taller than 6’1 and all three rank among the league leaders in free throw percentage and assists. Sears’ .489 shooting percentage is astounding for a 5’11 guard. With the graduation of all-OVC guard Parker Stewart, the offensive spotlight falls to Sears.

Senior K.K. Curry finally has a chance to be a top offensive option as second-teamer K.J. Simon has graduated. As UTM’s fourth offensive option, he averaged 8.5 points and was a ball-hawking defender. Returning guard Desmond Williams (8.1 ppg) will also claim more offensive opportunities and so will sharp-shooting forward Jalen Myers. In all, five players with starting experience return for Ryan Ridder’s third season in Martin, Tennessee.

Guard Koby Jeffries can do a little bit of everything.

Not content with a stack of returners, Ridder landed Division 1 transfers Kenny White (Murray State), Chirstian Fussell (Middle Tennessee), Issa Muhammad (New Mexico State) and Justus Jackson (Hawaii). White played previously at Tennessee Tech and has played three full D1 seasons.

Fussell is a 6’10 junior with limited playing time while the 6’9 Muhammad played extensively for the Lobos. The 245 pound senior averaged 9.3 points and 4.9 rebounds for the Mountain West program before the midseason scandal shutdown. He should be an OVC difference maker.

Daytona State College transfer Jacob Crews was one of the nation’s top junior college players

The Skyhwaks were 14-2 at home and were the OVC’s top scoring team, playing an aggressive defense and fast-paced offense. They held opponents to a league low .422 field goal percentage.

Ridder’s staff and roster has stayed shockingly stable during his short career. The university rewarded him with a five-year extension. This prediction might not be high enough.

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