December 4, 2018: Most Important Game

I’m coming back from vacation and the holidays.

The most important game for December 4, 2018 is Middle Tennessee vs. Troy. The MTSU Blue Raiders (6-2) are built around A’Queen Hayes and Alex Johnson. Hayes, a versatile guard, is averaging 13.9 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 3.1 APG. Johnson, the hometown 6’0″ forward, is averaging 13.2 PPG and 4.8 RPG. I had MTSU projected as a mid-table Conference USA team before the season.

The 6-1 Troy Trojans, my preseason prediction to win the Sun Belt, have only lost their season opener. That was a road game against Florida State. Troy’s currently led by Sky’Lynn Holmes (9.4 PPG, 8.3 RPG), though I expect more from Amber Rivers (13.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG) soon. Troy is interesting in that their 13 players who have played this year are averaging between 11.6 and 22.9 MPG.

Troy plays at a much higher pace than MTSU, so this will be an interested contrast of styles.

This game is on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. Eastern.

I think Troy will pull out the win.