Mid-South Weekly Review

By Jeremy Wright

2020-21 MEN’S BASKETBALL STANDINGS

SCHOOL	MSC	%	OVERALL	GB	STREAK
Freed-Hardeman	2-0	1.000	5-0	—	Won 5
Martin Methodist	2-0	1.000	5-0	—	Won 5
RV Thomas More	1-0	1.000	3-0	0.5	Won 3
Campbellsville	1-0	1.000	3-1	0.5	Won 1
RV Shawnee State	2-1	.667	5-2	0.5	Won 1
Cumberland (TN)	2-1	.667	2-2	0.5	Won 2
15 Cumberlands (KY)	1-1	.500	6-1	1	Lost 1
1 Georgetown	1-1	.500	3-1	1	Won 1
Lindsey Wilson	1-2	.333	3-3	1.5	Lost 1
Life	0-2	.000	4-2	2	Lost 2
Pikeville	0-2	.000	1-2	2	Lost 2
Bethel	0-3	.000	2-3	2.5	Lost 2

Freed-Hardeman (TN) (5-0,2-0)- Idle last week. The Lions are back in action on Monday as they visit Blue Mountain (Miss). The team is also competing in the Southeastern University Classic this weekend in Tampa,Fl where they will face Florida College on Friday and (RV) Southeastern on Saturday. The Lions lead the MSC in team scoring (minimum 2 games played) at 86.5 points per game, and are second in the NAIA in 3-pt field goals made per game at a 13.8 average. Kortland Martin, Wanya King, and John Musselwhite all average 16 points per game for the team while Martin also leads the MSC with an 8 assist per game average.

Martin Methodist (TN) (5-0,2-0)- The Redhawks made a statement in their MSC debut weekend. The team picked up impressive wins over Pikeville (Ky) and (15) Cumberlands (Ky) to remain perfect on the season. The team will continue MSC play this week as they visit Shawnee State (Ohio) on Thursday, and visit Thomas More (Ky) on Saturday. Adarian Hudson was outstanding in Saturday’s win vs (15) Cumberlands, as he put together a 33-point performance. Hudson leads the team in scoring with 21 points per game overall, and leads MSC in conference scoring at 25 points per game (minimum two conference games played). Darrin Jenkins also averages 17.4 points per game and the team ranks 22nd in the NAIA in points defense, allowing 66 points per game.

(RV) Thomas More (Ky) (3-0,1-0)- Idle last week. The Saints resume MSC play this week as they have a key matchup with Martin Methodist (TN) on Saturday. Ryan Battle leads the team and the MSC in overall scoring at 26.3 points per game. The team ranks 17th in the NAIA in scoring defense, allowing 65.3 points per game, and 27th in the NAIA in field goal percentage at 49% so far this season.

Campbellsville (Ky) (3-1,1-0)- The Tigers picked up an impressive win over Bethel (TN) to open conference play on Thursday. The team is back in action this week to resume MSC play at Pikeville (Ky) on Tuesday. Taiveyhon Mason leads the team in scoring and assists with 18.5 points per game, and 4.7 assists per game.  The team ranks 20th in the NAIA in scoring defense, allowing 65.7 points per game, and 25th in assists per game at 17.5 per game.

(RV) Shawnee State (Ohio) (5-2,2-1)- The Bears fell to MSC opponent Cumberland (TN) on Thursday, but responded on Saturday with a win over MSC foe Lindsey Wilson (Ky). The team is back in action on Thursday as they host Martin Methodist (TN) for more MSC play. EJ Onu ranks second in the conference in rebounds with 8.6 boards per game. James Jones, who already has a MSC Player of the Week under his belt this season, leads the team in scoring with 19.6 points per game.

Cumberland (TN) (2-2,2-1)- The Phoenix picked up their first win of the season on Thursday against Shawnee State (Ohio) and took a double overtime thriller vs Pikeville (Ky) on Saturday. The Phoenix are back in action on Friday at Bethel (TN) to continue MSC play. Tavion King leads the team in scoring with 21.5 points per game and ranks 2nd in the MSC for conference scoring (minimum two games played) averaging 22.6 points per contest in MSC play. Isaac Stephens averages 10.5 rebounds overall, and leads the MSC in rebounds during conference play averaging 11.3 boards per conference contest.

(15) Cumberlands (Ky) (6-1,1-1)- The Patriots opened MSC play with a key win over (1) Georgetown (Ky) on Thursday, but fell to Martin Methodist (TN) on Saturday. The team is back in action on Saturday as they host West Virginia Institute of Technology. Tevin Olison leads the team in scoring with 19.5 points per game, and is 2nd in the MSC for scoring (minimum of two conference games) with 22.6 points per conference contest.

(1)Georgetown (Ky) (3-1,1-1)- The Tigers fell in their conference opener to (15) Cumberlands (Ky) and picked up a win over Bethel (TN) on Saturday. The team is back in action on Wednesday vs Indiana University Southeast and Jake Ohmer leads the team in scoring with 19.2 points per game and Kyran Jones averages 11.7 rebounds per game. The team ranks 14th in the NAIA with 10.2 steals per game.

Lindsey Wilson (Ky) (3-3,1-1)- The Blue Raiders fell to (RV) Shawnee State (Ohio) on Saturday. The team won’t be back in action until December 31st against (1) Georgetown (Ky).The team is led by reigning MSC Player of the Week Colen Gaynor and Elijah Jordan. Jordan leads the team in scoring with 15.5 points per game.

Life (Ga) (4-2,0-2)- Idle last week, idle this week.Isaiah Hart leads the team in scoring averaging 20.5 points per game. The Runnin’ Eagles are 10th in the NAIA in steals per game at 11.1 steals per game, and 16th in the NAIA in scoring defense, allowing 64.3 points per game.

Pikeville (Ky) (1-2,0-2)- The Bears had a rough weekend coming out of a hiatus. The team lost their MSC opener vs Martin Methodist (TN) and dropped a double OT thriller to Cumberland (TN). The team is back in action on Tuesday as they host Campbellsville (Ky) and (1) Georgetown (Ky) on Saturday. Jordan Perry leads the team in scoring with 24.6 points per game.

Bethel (TN) (2-3,0-3)-  The Wildcats fell to Campbellsville (Ky) on Thursday and (1) Georgetown (Ky) on Saturday. The team is back in action on Tuesday at Oakland City University, Friday as they host Cumberland (TN), and at Crowley’s Ridge (Ark) on Saturday .  Chandler Clements leads the team in scoring with 19.4 points per game.

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Wright’s Wonder Rankings

1.Martin Methodist (TN) 

2.Freed-Hardeman (TN)

3.(15) Cumberlands (KY)

4.(1) Georgetown (Ky)

5. Thomas More (Ky)

6.Campbellsville (Ky)

7.Cumberland (TN)

8. Shawnee State (Ohio)

9.Life (Ga)

10.Lindsey Wilson (Ky)

11.Pikeville (Ky)

12.Bethel (TN)

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MSC Schedule (Predictions in bold)

Freed-Hardeman (TN) vs Florida College

Saturday, December 12th

Bethel (TN) @ Crowley’s Ridge (Ark)

(15) Cumberlands (Ky) vs WVU Tech

Martin Methodist (TN) @ Thomas More (Ky)

Georgetown (Ky) @ Pikeville (Ky)

Freed-Hardeman (TN) vs (RV) Southeastern (Fl)