Mid-South Conference Tournament – Championship 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)

Noon 1) Shawnee State (Ohio) (23-2, 18-1) vs. 8) Cumberland (10-12) Live Stats Live Video

2:30 p.m. 4) Cumberlands (Ky.) (17-8, 11-8) vs. 5) Martin Methodist (15-8, 11-8) Live Stats Live Video

5 p.m. 2) Georgetown (Ky.) (15-6, 12-6) vs. 7) Pikeville (12-11) Live Stats Live Video

7:30 p.m. 3) Thomas More (Ky.) (14-8, 12-8) vs. 6) Freed Hardeman (15-8) Live Stats Live Video

Semifinals

March 1st-(Bowling Green)

1) Shawnee State (Ohio) (24-2) def. 5) Martin Methodist (16-8) 91-82 Recap Box Score.

3) Thomas More (15-8) def. 2) Georgetown (16-6) 65-49 Recap Box Score

Finals

March 2nd- (Bowling Green)

1)
Shawnee State (Ohio) (25-2) vs. 3) Thomas More (16-8) 7:30pm ET Live Video $$$

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, Cumberlands
Possible sleeper: Freed Hardeman

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.

James Jones 6’4 – Shawnee State: 19.28ppg, 5.8rpg, 4.84apg

While EJ gets all of the attention, James Jones is a stud in his own right. He has been a great addition to help this Shawnee offense out this season. The best part about Jones is that he isn’t always about getting his own. He is great at finding the open guy as well.

Reid Jolley 6’7 – Thomas More: 20ppg, 6.9rpg

Reid is coming off being named the MSC Freshman of the Year and this year was named 1st Team all Mid-South. He is a stud who fits their offense well and can really shoot it.

Ryan Batte 6’5 – Thomas More: 17.7ppg, 6.7rpg

He’s a bit undersized for his position, but that hasn’t limited him much this season against other bigs. Batte is so great from the mid and high post areas. He creates a lot of issues on matchups. He is tough and has a good motor.

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.

#3 Thomas More- This team just battles. They trust in their system and they trust in one another. They execute offensively and force teams to play the way they want to play. Sneaky and dangerous group.

UPSET SPECIAL:

#6 Freed Hardeman – Eliminated

Championship Round Game Notes:

1) Shawnee State (Ohio) (25-2) vs. 3) Thomas More (16-8) 7:30pm ET Live Vid eo $$$

Shawnee State 2-0

Shawnee has had their way with Thomas More this season. Winning by 24 and 9pts. Although the 9pt win was a game win which Thomas More went on a big run late in the game to make it close. They seem to be the only team that has given Thomas More fits this season. This Shawnee team though has won 21 straight games and have given everyone fits. We had put Thomas More into our Final Top 25 poll and got some comments about it, but we truly believe they have proven they have been the 2nd best team in the MSC this season. They proved it again last night by sweeping the season series over Georgetown 3 games to none. We will see if they can overcome their struggles against Shawnee State tonight.

OTHER NOTES:

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

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!