Men’s basketball looks for new start in SBC Tournament

[Harry]

For the rest of the Mean Green men’s basketball season, it is win or go home. The single-elimination Sun Belt Conference Tournament starts tomorrow in Hot Springs, Ark.

No. 1 Middle Tennessee State University (27-4, 19-1) is the favorite to win the tournament. With only one conference loss and 16 straight wins, the Blue Raiders have a bye to the second round. Three MTSU players were named to all-conference teams including senior guard Bruce Massey – the Sun Belt’s defensive player of the year.

Middle Tennessee awaits the winner of the No. 9 Mean Green (12-19, 7-13) versus the No. 8 University of Louisiana-Lafayette (12-19, 8-12.)

ULL has won four of the last five meetings meetings with UNT, including both games this season. The lone Mean Green win came in last year’s Sun Belt tournament quarterfinals, 65-62.

Head coach Tony Benford said there is a specific game plan to limit Louisiana-Lafayette.

“They have a good team with two all-conference players,” Benford said. “They shoot the ball well with some great three-point shooters. We have to do a great job of keeping them out of transition and contest the three-point shot.”

Read more: http://wordpress1.cws.unt.edu/?p=2937

[CMJ]

Great thing about tourney basketball is it's a new start for everyone.