Under the Radar Game of the Day: Tennessee Tech at Tennessee-Martin, 7:00 PM Eastern, ovcdigitalnetwork.com
The Under the Radar Game of the Day heads to the Ohio Valley Conference tonight for an OVC game that does not involve either Belmont or Murray State — something which has become a rarity in recent seasons. However, the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech do enter play tonight with the best conference record in the OVC while the Skyhawks of UT-Martin are the only team in the conference’s West Division with a winning overall record. TTU is currently 12-5 overall and 4-0 in early conference play (half a game better than Belmont and Tennessee State), including two conference road wins at Murray State and at Austin Peay. The Golden Eagles have been led so far this season by Torrance Rowe, who has made five or more three-pointers in a game four times already this year. Rowe, a senior, is joined by senior Ryan Martin as the top scorers for the team. Ryan Martin has already scored 20 or more points four times this season and has recorded four double-doubles. Having two veterans to lead this team could make the Golden Eagles a surprise contender this season — at least for second best in the conference behind Belmont (though that would only give them the #3 seed in the conference tournament).
The Skyhawks of UT-Martin have been the best looking of the six West Division teams so far this season, though that does not say much given the overall weakness of the division. They enter play tonight at 1-1 in conference play and 9-8 overall. They also have the West Division’s best KenPom rating, though at 204, it is certainly not a number to write home about. The Skyhawks are led by Twymond Howard, who is coming off his best game of 2015-16 in a losing effort against Morehead State. Howard scored 22 points while grabbing 14 rebounds in that game. If he and his teammates can continue to perform well this season, they will certainly be in contention for the West Division title, which does bring with it the #2 seed in the OVC Tournament and a bye into the conference tournament semifinals.
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