New Balance of Power?

(St. Louis, MO) – Is there a changing of the guard in the Ohio Valle Conference? After years of Belmont, Murray State and Eastern Kentucky dominance there are some new contenders on the horizon in the OVC.

Prior to Saturday’s games, there are four teams undefeated in conference play and Belmont is the only perennial power team on that list. The Bruins (10-6, 2-0) are one of the three spotless teams in the East Division. Joining Belmont are Tennessee Tech (11-5, 3-0) and Tennessee State (11-4, 2-0). The only team without a loss in the West Division is UT-Martin (9-7, 1-0).

Who are these teams and why are they leading their divisions?

UT – Martin

Second year Head Coach Heath Schroyer has radically changed the Skyhawk culture. Last season UTM won its first ever Division 1 post-season game. Schroyer turned around a program that had won 21 games in the prior three seasons and UTM won 21 games last year!

The Skyhawks have won nine straight games and are battle tested. Schroyer chooses to put his team through a meat grinder early season schedule to prepare them for the conference season. UTM won just two of their first nine games and played seven of their first eleven games on the road. Schroyer’s team is 5-4 on the road.

The Hawks defend. They are first in the OVC in defending the three point shot, second in field goal percentage defense and third in scoring defense. Meanwhile, they have an extremely balanced offensive attack.

Six players average eight or more points per game and none averages as much as 13. Tymond Howard leads in scoring (12.8) and rebounding (6.9). Guard Alex Anderson has connected on 40 three point attempts, while Richard Lee converts over 47 % of his shots from long distance, but none of the UTM stats stand out.

They are the epitome of ‘team’. They simply play gritty, winning basketball.

Tennessee Tech & Tennessee State

Tech and State are under renovation but making history at the same time.

TSU Head Coach Dana Ford has great Missouri Valley Conference experience. He coached at both Wichita State and Illinois State, helping both those teams to successful seasons and securing strong talent. The Tigers won 10 games combined over the past two campaigns, and have already won 11 this year.

Montana transfer Keron Deshields leads the Tigers’ scoring parade at 15.7 points per game. Navarro College transfer Wayne Martin is AVERAGING a double-double (12.9 points & 10.4 rebounds). Niagra transfer Tahjere McCall is third in scoring and tied for team lead with 3.3 assists per game. Did I say that all three of those players were transfers?

Tennessee Tech leads the OVC in 3-point percentage and in blocked shots. Fifth year Head Coach Steve Payne has done his share of recruiting ‘experienced’ players too. Three of the top scorers didn’t begin their collegiate careers with the Golden Eagles. Torrance Rowe, Hakeem Rogers and Ryan Martin started elsewhere. Tech has had losing seasons two of the last three years.

All three of these programs are making liberal use of transfer recruiting and are changing cultures and maybe the balance of power in the Ohio Valley Conference.

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