2021 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Info, Facts, & Preview Links

Quarterfinals (at Evansville, IN; Ford Center)

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Game 1: (8) SIU-Edwardsville (9-16 overall; 7-12 conf) vs. (1) Belmont (24-3 overall; 18-2 conf) at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Game 2: (7) Southeast Missouri (11-15 overall; 9-11 conf) vs. (2) Morehead St. (20-7 overall; 17-3 conf) at 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Game 3: (5) Murray St. (13-12 overall; 10-10 conf) vs. (4) Jacksonville St. (17-8 overall; 13-6 conf) at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Game 4: (6) Austin Peay (14-12 overall; 10-10 conf) at (3) Eastern Kentucky (21-6 overall; 15-5 conf) at 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Semifinals (Evansville, IN; Ford Center)

Friday, March 5, 2021

Game 5: Semifinal #1 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPNU)

Game 6: Semifinal #2 at 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU)

Championship Game-(at higher seed campus site)

Saturday, March 6, 2021

Game 7: Championship Game (Auto Bid) at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Tournament Winners (last 10 years):

2020: (1) Belmont (26-7 overall; 15-3 conf)

2019: (2) Murray St. (28-5 overall; 16-2 conf)

2018: (1) Murray St. (26-6 overall; 16-2 conf)

2017: (4) Jacksonville St. (20-15 overall; 9-7 conf)

2016: (8) Austin Peay (18-18 overall; 7-9 conf)

2015: (3) Belmont (22-11 overall; 11-5 conf)

2014: (3) Eastern Kentucky (24-10 overall; 11-5 conf)

2013: (1) Belmont (26-7 overall; 14-2 conf)

2012: (1) Murray St. (31-2 overall; 15-1 conf)

2011: (2) Morehead St. (25-9 overall; 13-5 conf)

NET ratings through games of 3/2/21 (347 teams)

Belmont-81

Morehead St.-137

Eastern Kentucky-154

Jacksonville St.-162

Murray St.-190

Austin Peay-250

SEMO-274

E. Illinois-304 (did not qualify for conference tournament)

Tennessee Tech-316 (did not qualify for conference tournament)

SIU-Edwardsville-320

Tennessee St.-324 (did not qualify for conference tournament)

UT Martin-337 (did not qualify for conference tournament)

Kenpom ratings as of 3/3/21

Belmont-88

Morehead St.-136

Murray St.-157

Jacksonville St.-158

Eastern Kentucky-171

Austin Peay-211

SEMO-271

E. Illinois-307 (did not qualify for conference tournament)

Tennessee Tech-313 (did not qualify for conference tournament)

Tennessee St.-319 (did not qualify for conference tournament)

SIU-Edwardsville-320

UT Martin-348 (did not qualify for conference tournament)

Here are some links for previews of the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference tournament and the official tournament championship page (in no particular order):

Ohio Valley Conference official Tournament page: http://ovcsports.com/feature/evansville2021

Sports Betting Dime preview link: https://www.sportsbettingdime.com/news/ncaab/2021-ohio-valley-tournament-odds-preview-pick/

FanSided/Busting Brackets preview link: https://bustingbrackets.com/2021/03/01/ovc-basketball-2020-21-conference-tournament-preview-postseason-outlook/2/

Three-Man-Weave preview link: https://www.three-man-weave.com/3mw/ohio-valley-tournament-preview-2021

Turnover Sports preview link: https://www.turnoversports.com/ohio-valley-tournament-preview-2021/

The Game Haus preview link: https://thegamehaus.com/college-basketball/ohio-valley-conference-tournament-bracket-breakdown/2021/03/03/

My brief take: Belmont and Murray State have dominated this conference tournament and especially the last six years with each winning it twice in that span. Over the last 10 years, they each have won it three times. Murray State is down this year and Belmont is slumping as they enter the tournament after a great run most of the season. This seems like a tournament ripe for an upset winner. I think Morehead State or Jacksonville State will win it; if I have to choose one, I will go with Jax State. Enjoy!