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Thursday, November 9
Ohio Valley Conference Breakdown

ESPN.com

HOW THEY'LL STACK UP

AUSTIN PEAY: We'll give a nod to Governors in election year.

MURRAY STATE: Having Spencer return a big boost to Racers.

SE MISSOURI STATE: Defending champs need big year from Nyah Jones.

EASTERN ILLINOIS: Backcourt will carry Panthers' offensive load.

TENNESSEE TECH: Larrie Smith is OVC's top returning rebounder.

TENNESSEE-MARTIN: Made first OVC Tourney appearance last season.

TENNESSEE ST.: Here's a familiar name: Nolan Richardson III.

E. KENTUCKY: Former Kentucky guard Travis Ford now in charge.

MOREHEAD STATE: Only 3 returning scholarship players; See the problem?

Tuesday, Nov. 7
Two of the better hidden players in the country are in the OVC in Trenton Hassell of Austin Peay and Murray State's Isaac Spencer.

Spencer got a year back and could make the Racers another NCAA team with his appearance. NBA scouts are flocking to see the Governors play because of Hassell. His scoring ability should be enough to push Austin Peay back to the NCAA Tournament.

But it could be one of the closest races in the OVC with Austin Peay, Murray State and Southeast Missouri State.

ESPN.com All-Ohio Valley

Guard: Nick Stapleton
Senior, 6-1, Austin Peay

Guard: Kyle Hill
Senior, 6-2, Eastern Kentucky

Forward: Trenton Hassell
Senior, 6-5, Austin Peay

Forward: Larrie Smith
Senior, 6-5, Tennessee Tech

Forward: Isaac Spencer
Senior, 6-6, Murray State

Player of Year ...
Trenton Hassell, F, Austin Peay
He's in Playboy ... really! OK, so Hassell was part of the magazine's All-American squad, but the 6-foot-5 swingman is projected to be an NBA first-round pick after this season. And why not? He is the complete player, averaging 18.1 points and 7.4 rebounds a game.

Introducing ...
Clinton Sims, F/G, Eastern Kentucky
Travis Ford proved he could recruit in his first season, nabbing his 6-3 gem out of St. Catharine (Ky.) College, where he was a NJCAA second-team All-American. Sims originally came out of Maine Central Institute and averaged 18.1 points for the 35-0 prep team. His first college stop was Boston College, where he put up 8.7 points as a freshman.

Best frontcourt ...
SE Missouri State: Daniel Weaver, Nyah Jones and Emmanuel McCutchison: The key to this group is the 6-11 Jones, who originally signed with Missouri out of Kankakee (Ind.) Community College. Weaver is another transfer from Memphis, who can play either center or power forward. McCutchinson moves into departed Mike Branson's small forward spot.

Best backcourt ...
Murray State: Kevin Paschel and Johnny Mitchell. Paschel must fill a huge hole left by '99-00 OVC Player of the Year Aubrey Reese, while Mitchell will handle the ball. Another player to watch is Ray Cunningham, a 6-5 swingman who can play small forward or shooting guard.

Team on the way up ...
Tennessee-Martin: The SKyhawks earned their first OVC Tournament bid last season and nearly knocked off SE Missouri State in the first round. Expect more than 10 overall victories and maybe even .500 in a tough OVC.

Team on the way down ...
Tennessee State: Nolan Richardson III says he's looking forward to his first OVC campaign. We say good luck.

Tournament tough ...
NCAA: Austin Peay.

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