Milestones Are Falling

(St. Louis, MO) – As we’re steam rolling toward Arch Madness and the Ohio Valley Conference end of season tournaments, milestones are being bypassed and lofty achievements are being recognized.

These two leagues are witnessing some historic events and individuals.

The Coaches

Rick Byrd, the dean of OVC coaches recently earned his 771^st career coaching victory, passing Rick Pitino for 15^th place in NCAA, Division 1 history. He’s now at 772. The legendary Belmont (18-6, 10-1) head coach will achieve his 22nd Belmont Bruin 20-win season some time later this season.

Barry Hinson, the dean of MVC coaches recently became the fourth winningest head coach in Valley history. His 262^nd career win at an MVC school, moved him past Wichita State’s Gregg Marshall. Hinson now has 263 victories at an MVC institution and 299 total coaching wins.

Indiana State head coach Greg Lansing has become the all-time leader in Sycamore MVC conference victories with 70. He surpassed the previous record of long time Lansing mentor Royce Waltman. Lansing is also four victories shy of passing Waltman for second on the all-time Sycamore coaching victory ladder. He currently stands at 130 career wins.

Loyola’s Porter Moser and Missouri State’s Paul Lusk both surpassed the 100 victory mark earlier this season.

Players

Today Reed Timmer will become the all-time leading scorer in Drake Bulldog history. The senior guard has amassed 1,780 points and needs nine more to tie Josh Young (2006-10) during Drake’s game at Bradley.

Missouri State junior Obediah Church recently became the Bears’ all-time leader in blocked shots. His 171 rejections are four better than Danny Moore’s 167. Church leads the MVC with 2.0 per game and his 47 blocks are 32^nd best nationally.

Indiana State sophomore Jordan Barnes is on the verge of breaking the Sycamore all-time season record for most three-pointers. His 87 trifectas are five short of Michael Menser’s 1999-2000 total of 92. Barnes leads the Valley and is fourth nationally converting 3.8 per game.

Murray State’s Jonathan Stark is closing in on the Racer’s two-season record for points scored. His 1,173 points are just 106 points shy of second best total (Cameron Payne) and 167 points away from DT Mayes all time total. Stark leads the OVC in scoring (20.5 points per game), 3-point percentage (.444), triples per game (3.6) and is second in FT% (.901).

Illinois State’s Milik Yarbrough is the only player nationally and if he continues at current levels, would be come the 25^th player in NCAA history that averages at least 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.

Teams

Murray State hit some major mile stones this week. Thursday the Racers played in their 1,000^th game during the OVC’s 70 seasons and Thursday’s victory over Southeast Missouri was the program’s 1,600^th.

Austin Peay, Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Bradley and Drake have already bypassed their win total from last season. The Governors and Bulldogs are being led by first year coaches. APSU (13-10, 8-3) is two wins better than last season. Drake (12-12, 6-5) has five more victories than 2016-17. SIUE (7-15, 3-8) is one victory better than last season and is one OVC win away from gaining a Jon Harris era high number of conference wins. Bradley (17-7, 7-4) surpassed last season’s 13 victory total.

There are eleven games we are watching today. What other spectacular things will take place?

Do Good