Mid-South Conference Tournament – Semifinals Preview

2021 Mid-South Tournament Bracket

Opening Round

February 22nd

6) Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) (14-8, 9-7) def. 11) Bethel (Tenn.) (9-11, 3-11) 100-66 Box Score

7) Pikeville (Ky.) (11-11, 9-10) def. 10) Campbellsville (Ky.) (9-15, 7-14) 84-74 Box Score

8) Cumberland (Tenn.) (9-12, 8-11) def. 9) Life (Ga.) (9-10, 5-10) 70-67 Box Score

#12 Lindsey Wilson – Forfeit @ Martin Methodist

Quarterfinals

February 28th – (Bowling Green)

1) Shawnee State (Ohio) (23-2, 18-1) def. 8) Cumberland (10-12) 90-75 Recap Box Score

5) Martin Methodist (15-8, 11-8) def. 4) Cumberlands (Ky.) (17-8, 11-8) 72-54 Recap Box Score

2) Georgetown (Ky.) (15-6, 12-6) def. 7) Pikeville (12-11) 76-74 Recap Box Score

3) Thomas More (Ky.) (14-8, 12-8) def. 6) Freed Hardeman (15-8) 78-61 Recap Box Score

Semifinals

March 1st-(Bowling Green)

Gm. 9 5 p.m. 1) Shawnee State (Ohio) (24-2) vs. 5) Martin Methodist (16-8) Live Stats Live Video

Gm. 10 7:30 p.m. 2) Georgetown (16-6) vs. 3) Thomas More (15-8) Live Stats Live Video

Finals

March 2nd- (Bowling Green)

League Notes:

The top seed: #6 Shawnee State
NAIA Locks: Shawnee State, Georgetown
NAIA Bubble Teams: Cumberlands, Thomas More
Best chances to win this tournament: Shawnee State, Georgetown, Thomas More,
Possible sleeper: Freed Hardeman- Eliminated

KEY PLAYERS:

EJ Onu 6’11 – Shawnee State: 17.53ppg, 7.7rpg, 3.96blg

Several of the scouts we have talked with think that EJ has the best pro ceiling of anyone in the NAIA right now. Hard to disagree when the big fella has been so good on both sides of the ball this season. EJ has developed so much over the past couple years and is one of the best players in the NAIA.

Kyran Jones 6’5 – Georgetown: 17.62ppg, 12.6rpg

Kyran is a walking double-double. While the Tigers haven’t been as dominant as years past, Kyran has really filled the shoes of former NAIA NPOY Chris Coffey, pretty well. He’s got a huge motor and seems to snag every rebound!

KEY TEAMS:

#1 Shawnee State – One and James Jones have led the Bears to 19 straight wins. This is a team that is tough to score on and tough to stop. One of the best teams in the NAIA.

#2 Georgetown – Limping into the tournament a bit, but if they come in fully healthy it’s hard to pick against a Chris Briggs led team. He will have his guys tournament ready!

UPSET SPECIAL:

#6 Freed Hardeman – IEliminated

Semifinal Game Notes:

Gm. 9 5 p.m. 1) Shawnee State (Ohio) (24-2) vs. 5) Martin Methodist (16-8) Live Stats Live Video

Shawnee State 2-0

Quite frankly, Shawnee has dominated Martin Methodist this season. Winning the two regular season matchups by a combined 50pts. Martin has some great guards, but the Shawnee size and length seems to give them fits. Today the RedHawks will get their 3rd chance to try and crack the code to see if they can do something different to beat Shawnee State.

Gm. 10 7:30 p.m. 2) Georgetown (16-6) vs. 3) Thomas More (15-8) Live Stats Live Video

Thomas More 2-0

Despite being the lower seed in the tournament, Thomas More has given Georgetown fits over the past two seasons. They swept the season series including getting their second straight win at Georgetown. The first matchup this year they beat Georgetown by 40pts. For whatever reason, Thomas More seems to be Georgetown’s kryptonite.

OTHER NOTES:

– Tournament Page: 2020-21 MSC Men’s Basketball Tournament

– Teams who play tonight will be reseeded after tonight’s games.

Best Semifinal Round Game: #2 Georgetown vs #3 Thomas More

Our Pick To Win It: Shawnee State – Winners of 19 straight games, hard to pick against them. They are so big, and so good on both ends of the floor. Even if they get beat in the MSC Tournament, they are one of our favorites to win a National Title this season!