Coach Rick Byrd and the Belmont Bruins continues the tear through the A-Sun through almost half way through conference play at 8-0 and 16-3 overall. With an average margin of victory of just over 28 points per game in conference play, it doesn't seem like they have seen a challenge to this point. However, six of the next eight conference games for the Bruins will be away from the Curb Event Center in Nashville. With games at USC Upstate, ETSU, Lipscomb, North Florida, Jacksonville and Campbell, it will be a true test for Byrd and his team after this stretch. Belmont had an 07-08' record of 14-2 in A-Sun play, and that could be bested before the middle of February. Probably the scariest part about the success that Coach Byrd and his Bruins have had is that they only have 2 Seniors, and the majority of their production are currently only Sophomores and Juniors. Continue to keep an eye on Belmont this week, as they visit Johnson City in battle of the top two teams in the conference to this point.
Around the A-Sun:
- Coach Murray Bartow and the ETSU Bucs are the another team streaking in the A-Sun. With 8 straight victories and having not lost in almost a month (12/23/10) they are hosting Lipscomb and Belmont this upcoming week. 2009-2010 Pre-Season POY and 5th year returnee Mike Smith is playing like he was in his Junior season in 08-09' and is back to 1st Team All A-Sun form after two straight 20 point games and a 20 rebound game as well.
- Jacksonville University and North Florida both are on the cusp of being a challenger to ETSU, Lipscomb, and Belmont in the Top 5 in the A-Sun. With both teams making the annual trip to the state of Georgia and the road swing to Kennessaw State and Mercer this upcoming weekend we will see what will happen. If both teams come away with 2 more victories this upcoming weekend, I believe we will have a solid Top 5 heading into the final 10 games heading into the A-Sun tournament.
- Kennessaw State earned two wins this past weekend against both Stetson and FGCU. Including a buzzer beater by Spencer Dixon in Deland, FL against Coach Derek Waugh and Stetson on Monday in a matinee match-up.
- Both FGCU and USC-Upstate continued to struggle in conference play this past weekend as well. USC-Upstate competed hard on the trip to Jacksonville, Florida. With an overtime loss to Jacksonville University on Thursday night and a tought defeat at North Florida on Saturday, they are yet to get a conference win on the road. FGCU continues its struggles as well both at home and on the road and couldn't prevent a late 3 pointer by Justin Cecil and Mercer got by FGCU on Monday.
Belmont is really Good They might lose one r two games in league Play They would be a tough team to play in the first round of the Tourney
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