Nothing at Stake & Everything at Stake

Belmont Visits Murray State Thursday

(St. Louis, MO) – When schedule makers placed Belmont at Murray State during the final week of the regular season, they anticipated that it would be a huge Ohio Valley Conference game. Well, it is …. and it isn’t. There is nothing at stake and everything is at stake!

Murray (26-2, 16-0) has locked up the regular season title and a double bye into the OVC Championships’ semifinals. Belmont has locked up second place and that same double bye. So, nothing is at stake.

While there are no OVC implications to this game, everything is at stake for these two mid-major powers. Murray State is 19^th in the most recent national polls and Belmont is ‘receiving votes’. Each team’s NET ranking and KenPom status indicates either or both could qualify as ‘at-large’ invitees to next month’s NCAA Tournament.

For these two OVC titans, everything is at stake. Post season bids, a respectable seed in the tournament and the opportunity to shine in March is all before them. So, what’s at stake?

For Murray State – Everything

The Racers’ 26 NET ranking has them solidly in the NCAA field with a favorable seven seed by some and an eight from our friend Rocco Miller in next month’s Big Dance. If Matt McMahon’s team can run their winning streak to 20 games (it’s 16 games right now) by winning Thursday and all the way through the OVC Championship, they will be assured no worse than that seven seed with a chance at moving to the ‘six line’.

Since Belmont is currently owns a 56 NET ranking, this is a Quadrant 2 game for the Racers and their earlier win at Belmont could turn into an all-valuable Quad 1 victory.

Murray’s Lineup

The Racers have struggled a bit lately. They’ve missed Jordan Skipper-Brown (ankle) and his physicality and athleticism. They’ve started more slowly than usual and have needed some late game heroics to win at Morehead State and UT Martin.

Murray’s star power is blinding. Center K.J. Williams and guard Tevin Brown are record-breaking teammates that will be named to the OVC’s all-conference team and are battling one another for the ‘Player of the Year’ award.

Williams is the league’s 2nd leading scorer (17.6 ppg) and 2nd leading rebounder (8.6), while Brown is the OVC’s 4th leading scorer (16.5 ppg) and the most prolific three-pointer (89). He is the OVC’s all-time leader in that department.

But don’t overlook point guard Justice (Juice) Hill. The 6’ Hill is terrorizing opponents with his ‘drive and dish’ ability and he can hit from long distance. Hill is sturdy with the ball, runs the offense, hits big shots and electrifies fans with big-time dunks.

The supporting cast has very important pieces. Southern University transfer D.J. Burns and Davidson transfer Carter Collins round out the starting five. The 6’7 Burns is makes 59% of his shots and grabs 6.5 rebounds per game. He and Williams are a formidable frontcourt.

Collins is a senior guard who provides stability, ball-handling and the occasional three-point basket.

Matt McMahon’s bench is experienced and talented. Trae Hannibal is the team’s fourth leading scorer (8.8 ppg) and third leading rebounder (4.9). The 6’2, 220 pound guard is a South Carolina transfer that plays a physical game and can score in traffic.

Third year sophomore DaQuan Smith and second year freshman Nicholas McMullen both have significant starting experience. If and when Eastern Illinois transfer Skipper-Brown returns the Racers are the OVC’s deepest team.

For Belmont – Everything

Belmont is used to winning Ohio Valley Conference titles and they will not win the regular season crown this year. Winning this game could catapult them up the proverbial food chain. The game in Murray, Kentucky will be a Quad One game for Casey Alexander’s squad.

Over-shadowed by Murray’s 16 game winning streak, the Bruins have a ten-game streak of their own. Belmont (24-5, 14-2) has a constantly improving NET and bracketologists see the Bruins as one of those teams hovering around ‘the bubble’. Rocco Miller told us Belmont has a legitimate ‘at large’ chance. Defeating a Quad One foe would greatly enhance their postseason chances.

Belmont’s Lineup

Star power isn’t lacking in Nashville. Matching up with Murray’s Williams and Brown are Belmont’s Nick Muszynski and Grayson Murphy. While Brown has been setting three-point shooting records, Murphy has been crushing assists and steals records. During Williams’ highly decorated career ‘Moose’ has been closing in on 2,000 career points and ranks in the OVC’s all-time top ten list in blocked shots.

Belmont is loaded with talent. Ben Sheppard (16.3 ppg), freshman Will Richard (11.8 points and 5.9 rebounds) and Luke Smith (8.7) are Belmont’s scorers in between Moose (16.4) and Murphy (7.4). The Bruins lead the OVC in scoring (80.4 ppg), field goal percentage, free-throw percentage, assists and steals.

Their precision offense is legendary. While known for making triples, the Bruins routinely lead the nation in two-point percentage.

This game means everything to Belmont and Murray State. The winner potentially heads into the OVC Championships with a spectacular winning streak and an ascending national profile and will be almost guaranteed a Big Dance invitation. The loser’s path is less secure.

Oh, and then we’ll likely get a chance to see this all-everything matchup again in Evansville next week. What’s that? Oh yeah, Morehead State wants you to remember that they are the OVC’s defending tournament champion.

Do Good

 

Feature Photo courtesy of goracers.com.