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Ohio Valley Conference overview

Three teams stand atop OVC entering season

Special to CNNSI.com

Order of Finish 1. Murray State 2. Austin Peay 3. Southeast Missouri 4. Eastern Illinois 5. Tennessee Tech 6. Tennessee-Martin 7. Morehead State 8. Eastern Kentucky 9. Tennessee State

Top storylines

The return of Isaac Spencer to Murray State for another season turned the championship race in the Ohio Valley into a three-team affair. Murray State, Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri could be listed as tri-preseason favorites to take the league title.

Spencer's return will give the Racers a tremendous boost while Trenton Hassell will be fantastic again for the Govs with guard Michael Stokes leading Southeast Missouri, last year¹s NCAA qualifier.

New coaches entering the league are Nolan Richardson III at Tennessee State and Travis Ford at Eastern Kentucky.

Players to Watch

Top Three Players

Kyle Hill, G, Eastern Kentucky • A 6-2 senior, Hill (19.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.0 spg) earned first-team All-OVC honors last year. He was third in the league in scoring, fourth in steals, ninth in three-point percentage (.376) and seventh in three-pointers per game (2.0). Trenton Hassell, F, Austin Peay • A 6-5 senior swing player, Hassell (18.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 5.2 apg) was the only player in the nation ranking among the top five in his respective conference in scoring, rebounding and assists last year. Isaac Spencer, C, Murray State • A 6-6 senior forward, Spencer (19.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg) was the OVC's second-leading scorer and ranked third in rebounding last year.

Top Newcomer

Clinton Sims, G, Eastern Kentucky • Sims (18.2 ppg, 5.4 apg, 7.3 rpg) played last season and was a NJCAA second-team All-American at St. Catharine (Ky.) College.

Coaches

Hot Coach

Tevester Anderson, Murray State • In only two years as the Racers' head coach, Anderson has compiled a 50-15 record.

Coach on the Hot Seat

Nolan Richardson III, Tennessee State • The son of Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson will be under the gun in his first job as a Division I head coach.

Mark Your Calendar

Nov. 27, Austin Peay at Tennessee • This one will reveal whether the Govs are ready to play with the big boys this season. Jan. 11, Murray State at Southeast Missouri • An early test for league supremacy. It always is. Jan. 23, Austin Peay at Murray State • If the Govs are going to be a contender for the championship, they need a strong effort on the road against the Pacers.

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