OVC – Opening Weekend

(St. Louis, MO) – Ohio Valley Conference teams fought through the first weekend of the college basketball season with mixed results. Two teams were manhandled by nationally ranked ‘money conference’ teams and first year coaches started their seasons well.

OVC teams went 8-6 this weekend.

The Positives

Three new head coaches won their debuts. Murray State (Matt McMahon), Eastern Kentucky (Dan McHale) and Southern Illinois Edwardsville (Jon Harris) were victorious for their first-year coaches. EKU and Murray were two of the three OVC schools that scored more than 100 points.

Belmont took down another ‘money conference’ team, with an 83-80 win at Big East Conference foe Marquette’s home floor. Evan Bradds led the way with 24 points and nine rebounds. The Bruins nailed a Belmont-like 12 three-point baskets.

Jacksonville State split two games scoring more than 80 points in each contest. The Gamecocks dropped a narrow decision at Central Michigan (89-83) and returned to Alabama and defeated Fort Valley State 81-68. Malcolm Drumright scored 26 and 14 points in the two contests and in Saturday’s win Jared Hamilton recorded a double-double.

The Struggles

Southeast Missouri lost their first two games. In both contests the Redhawks were heavily out rebounded and struggled to make their free throws. Ricky Ray’s team opened against A-10 favorite Dayton and CIT champion Evansville.

Eastern Illinois was outmanned at #15 Indiana and Austin Peay experienced the same feat at #18 Vanderbilt. The Governors missed their first 14 shots, fell behind 21-0 and never recovered.

What’s Ahead?

These OVC teams don’t rest very much. Nine of them are on the court Monday. Austin Peay tangles with another top 25 team in Bloomington, Indiana against the Hoosiers. Belmont travels to Pac-12 foe Arizona State.

Only two of Monday’s games are on OVC home courts.

Do Good