By Kyle Schwartz, Ohio Valley Conference & Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – With basketball season approaching faster than ever, Tennessee Tech head men's basketball coach Steve Payne made his way to Nashville for his fifth Ohio Valley Conference media day at the helm of the Golden Eagle program Tuesday afternoon, eager to answer questions about the 2015-16 edition of the TTU squad.
"It's good to get here and promote our team and our league," Payne expressed. "There's been a great run of OVC basketball recently and we're looking forward to our basketball team competing for a conference championship. That's the goal and what we strive for every day. If we can mix our new guys in with our old guys and get everyone working together and on the same page, I think we have a chance."
Tennessee Tech has eight players returning from last year's team, although just six saw the floor with Savonte Frazier sitting out the year as a redshirt and Ryan Martin sitting out due to NCAA transfer rules. With the two set to make their collegiate debuts, as well as six newcomers added to the mix, the Golden Eagles are sure to have a much different feel from last year's squad.
Among the returning players is senior guard Torrance Rowe who ranked third on the TTU team in scoring last year, averaging 11.4 points per game. Rowe knocked down a team-high 52 3-pointers in starting all but one game during the 2014-15 season. Also back is senior forward Josiah Moore (8.9 points, 4.9 rebounds per game) and sophomore guard Aleksa Jugovic (5.8 points, 2.0 assists per game).
In a vote of Ohio Valley Conference head men's basketball coaches and sports information directors Belmont was selected as the preseason favorite for the 2015-16 season.
Belmont, the defending OVC Tournament Champions, picked up 21 of 24 first-place votes in being picked the preseason favorites as overall regular season champions. The Bruins were also tabbed the East Division favorites, picking up 22 of 24 first-place votes in that category, while defending regular season champion Murray State was picked the West Division favorites.
In the overall champion voting, in addition to Belmont picking up 21 first-place votes, other teams with first-place votes included UT Martin (2) and Murray State (1).
Since Belmont was picked as the overall champion, they were also an overwhelming favorite to take first place in its own division; the Bruins have finished first in the East in each of the first three years of divisional play. Belmont received 132 total points to top the East and were followed by Morehead State (1 first-place vote and 105 points), Eastern Kentucky (1 first-place vote and 88 points), Tennessee Tech (67), Jacksonville State (52) and Tennessee State (48).
The 2015-16 season kicks off with an exhibition contest on November 2 while the first regular season games will be played on Friday, Nov. 13. The 2016 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament will be held March 2-5 at Municipal Auditorium in Nashville.
2015-16 Preseason OVC Men's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
Overall OVC Champion: Belmont (21 first-place vote)
Other Teams Receiving Overall First-Place Votes: UT Martin (2), Murray State (1).
East Division
1. Belmont (22 first-place votes) – 132 points
2. Morehead State (1) – 105
3. Eastern Kentucky – 88
4. Tennessee Tech – 67
5. Jacksonville State – 52
6. Tennessee State – 48
West Division
1. Murray State (15 first-place vote) – 125 points
2. UT Martin (9) – 115
3. Eastern Illinois – 88
4. Southeast Missouri – 72
5. Austin Peay – 57
6. SIUE – 35
2015-16 Preseason All-OVC Men's Basketball Team
Alex Anderson, UT Martin
Trae Anderson, Eastern Illinois
Brent Arrington, Morehead State
Craig Bradshaw, Belmont
Evan Bradds, Belmont
Antonius Cleveland, Southeast Missouri
Chris Horton, Austin Peay
Twymond Howard, UT Martin
Cornell Johnston, Eastern Illinois
Jeffery Moss, Murray State
Preseason Player of the Year: Craig Bradshaw, Belmont
Photo by Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
