Is Belmont Still Dominant?

(St. Louis, MO) – Who are the challengers to Belmont’s dominance in the Ohio Valley Conference? Will the Bruins continue their bullying of the rest of the OVC? Belmont will be the odds on favorite to win the league regular season title, but who can poke the giant in the eye?

Byrd Factor

There are talented, young and emerging coaches in the OVC. Dana Ford’s quick turn around at Tennessee State is impressive. Morehead State’s Sean Woods is building a unique culture. There are coaches with rich pedigree like Matt McMahon at Murray Stat and Dan McHale at Eastern Kentucky. But who can compare with the gentlemanly Rick Byrd?

Byrd’s teams haven’t finished below third in a conference race since 2005 and haven’t finished below second since 2006. His career record of 731-379 (.659) and an incredible 332-104 (.761) in conference play are incomparable.

Belmont has finished no worse than tied for first in their four year Ohio Valley history. The Bruins have played post-season basketball in ten of the last 11 seasons. Byrd recruits players that fit his system, graduates the players he recruits and hangs banners in the rafters of Curb Event Center.

Returning Stars

Evan Bradds is everyone’s pre-season OVC player of the year, and why not? Bradds is the reigning POY and has led the nation in shooting percentage for the past two seasons. The 6’7 senior has tallied over 1,300 career points, and the Bruins are 37-11 in OVC play since he arrived from Jamestown, Ohio.

Point guard Austin Luke led the OVC and was 15^th nationally in assists. The 6’3 junior averaged 6.2 points per game, and after reaching double figures in scoring just four times in the first 28 games, the rangy Texan turned the trick in three of the final four contests.

Taylor Barnette shouldn’t be considered just the third wheel of ‘the big three’ at Belmont. The 6’3 senior has averaged 10.6 points per game during his two seasons in Nashville.

Who Are the Challengers?

Tennessee State’s Dana Ford authored a 15 game improvement last season and has all-conference guard Tahjere McCall to lead the way. McCall, also named the OVC defensive player of the year, is one of four returning starters, including rebounding machine Wayne Martin. The Tigers’ third leading scorer (11.1 ppg) and the OVC’s third leading rebounder (9.1) should be a force this season.

Murray State had an uncharacteristic 17-win season last year, but look poised to flex their West Division muscles once again. Head Coach Matt McMahon has three proven starters back. Guards Bryce Jones and Damarcus Croaker, and forward Gee McGhee grabbed four or more rebounds per game and averaged between nine and 13 points last season. Croaker, the former Texas Longhorn is primed for a break out season.

Verbalcommits.com rates McMahon’s recruiting class the best in the OVC and they will be strengthened by the return of 6’8 sophomore Brion Sanchios who was growing into a starting position during his freshman season when a knee injury ended his campaign.

Austin Peay is looking to build on last season’s historic ride at Music City Madness. OVC second teamer Josh Robinson (16.6 ppg) leads a group of veterans returning for Dave Loos’ 27th year with the Governors. Kenny Jones, Terrell Thompson and Jared Savage all played key roles on last year’s team, while seldom used John Murry exploded on the scene during the conference tournament.

This could be an emerging season for Eastern Illinois. Jay Spoonhour has three starters returning including flashy guard Cornell Johnston (11.0 ppg & 5.7 apg) and shooting guard Demetrius McReynolds (12.1 ppg & 5.1 rpg). The Panthers have added some transfer veterans and sophomores Casey Teson and Marshawn Blackmon should continue to develop into OVC standouts.

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