Belmont Bruins (21-10) vs Indiana State Sycamores (20-11)
Game Info: Friday, March 3, 2023 at 3:30 pm (Enterprise Center)
Betting Odds: Belmont Bruins -- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Indiana State Sycamores and the Belmont Bruins will meet in St. Louis to battle in the quarterfinals of the MVC Tournament at the Enterprise Center.
Indiana State finished at 21-11 after defeating Evansville in the first round of the MVC Tournament. The Sycamores unloaded on the Aces, and picked up a massive 39-point win, 97-58. Indiana State is scoring 78.7 points per game, while allowing 68.9 ppg, and shooting 47.9% from the floor.
Indiana State overcame a mid-season skid by winning eight of their last ten games, and they’ll look to avenge a one-point loss to Belmont here in round two. The Sycamores got the large first round win without much from leading scorer Courvoisier McCauley (16.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg), and he’ll look to respond here against the Bruins. Senior guard Cooper Neese has scored 16 points or more in three of the last five games, and he’s up to 10.6 ppg. Freshman center Robbie Avila is averaging an identical 10.1 ppg after going for a team-high 21 points.
Belmont closed the season at 21-10 after beating Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. The Bruins pulled away from the Panthers in the second half, and left with an eight-point win, 83-75. Belmont is scoring 76.0 points per game, while allowing 71.1 ppg, and shooting 47% from the floor.
Belmont enjoyed a successful inaugural season in the Missouri Valley Conference, and they’ll look to leave a mark early. Ben Sheppard led the way again for Belmont this season. The senior guard has been one of more consistent scoring threats in the country, and he’s among MVC leaders with 18.8 ppg. Freshman forward Cade Tyson is second on the team at 13.3 ppg, and his frontcourt mate Drew Friberg is right behind him with 11.3 ppg. Freshman guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie led the team with 24 points in the season finale win over UNI, and he’s up to 9.4 ppg.
Indiana State is 19-11 against the spread this season, with a 15-15 over/under record. Belmont is 16-13-1 ATS this year, with a 17-13 o/u record.
Belmont's first Missouri Valley Tournament game will be no walk in the park, and with both schools worthy of a postseason bid, this will be a fight until the finish Friday afternoon. With a one-point loss fresh in their minds, Indiana State might have something special for Belmont here, and this contest could mirror their 89-88 outing a few weeks ago. Both teams have been consistent offensively, and I like the over for this quarterfinal matchup of the MVC Tournament.
Corey’s Pick ISU/BEL to go Over
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
