The Sun Belt Conference put three men’s basketball teams in post season play this year in. While the women find one team in post season action. North Texas went to the NCAA Tournament, Troy the NIT, and Middle Tennessee State both in the CollegeInsider Tournament. With all the men coming home only Middle Tennessee State is left to carry the Sun Belt Banner.

 

The Eagles fell to Kansas State, 62-82 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament held in Oklahoma City. 

 

In the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), the first round game between Mississippi (22-10) and regular season Sun Belt Champion Troy (20-13) was held in Oxford. With the scored tied at 25-25 inn the first half, the Rebels went on a 20-5 run and never looked back on their way to an 84-65 win.    

 

Middle Tennessee State (19-14) won a share of the Sun Belt Conference Championship for the first time in twenty years with a 13-5 record earning them a trip to post season play for the first time since 1989.

 

The Blue Raiders drew Missouri State (21-12) in the first round of the CIT Tournament which was played in Springfield, Missouri.

 

MTS ran into a buzz saw as the Bears shot a season-high 60.4%from the field to take an 87-79 win. It was a back and forth game and was in doubt until there was 42 seconds left on the clock. There were six lead changes in the game and the Blue Raiders stayed within five for most of the second half but could not get back into the lead.

 

Three point shooting was the call of the day as in the second half as Middle Tennessee hit nine of eleven three point shots while Missouri State answered by hitting when eight of nine.

 

Woman’s Basketball finds #10 Middle Tennessee State taking on #7 Mississippi State. Women’s competition begins March 20^th.