Have the OVC newcomers finally arrived in the Missouri Valley Conference?

These two programs had a great OVC rivalry and now they are vying for first place in the MVC. From the 2012-13 season until they left together for the Missouri Valley, they dominated the OVC. During Belmont’s ten years in the OVC the two teams won or shared every regular season title. 

One of the two won six of the ten tournament titles and they met in the finals on five different occasions. A player from one of the two teams was the conference Player of the Year during eight of those ten seasons. Only Austin Peay’s Terry Taylor two-year reign interrupted the Belmont/Murray State domination of that award. 

Those ten years saw Belmont reach postseason play seven different seasons and Murray State got there five times. 

Oh, and they send players to the NBA. Murray State alumni that have reached ‘the Association’ is a long list, but recent additions to that Racer fraternity are Cameron Payne and Ja Morant. NBA players from Belmont include Ian Clark, Ben Sheppard, Dylan Windler and Will Richard. 

Now these programs lead in the MVC standings. 

Belmont’s Casey Alexander admits that his rosters had to get bigger, stronger and more physical. The Bruins’ defense of the past hadn’t been good enough to truly contend for a Valley title. This season’s team they are the second best Valley team at defensive field goal percentage, third in rebound margin and second in blocked shots. 

Murray has been the Valley’s most explosive offensive team. They lead the Valley in scoring, are tied with Belmont for most three-pointers per game and their aggressive style forces other teams to foul where they have taken the second most free throws (Bradley) and lead in free throw percentage (.782). 

The Racers are deep and tall. They have a roster that includes seven players that stand 6’8 or taller and they lead the Valley in blocked shots. Murray’s bench has been the best in the MVC. Freshman Roman Domon comes off Miller’s bench to chip in 14.7 points per game. 

Do you want more proof that the OVC newcomers have arrived? Their women’s basketball teams are tied for first place too.