RICHMOND, Ky. – March Madness has officially arrived and the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team tips off action in the 2011 OVC tournament Wednesday night against Southeast Missouri. Game time is set for 9 p.m. ET.

This is the ninth straight year EKU (15-15) has qualified for the OVC tournament. However, since winning the league title in 2007, the Colonels have lost three straight tourney games.

As the No. 6 seed, Eastern Kentucky begins tournament play against the No. 7 seed, Southeast Missouri. The Colonels have won seven straight meetings over the Redhawks and lead the all-time series by a count of 22-17. In two games against Southeast Missouri this year, Eastern Kentucky shot 51.0 percent (53-of-104) from the floor. Seniors Josh Daniel and Justin Stommes combined for 30 ppg and shot 67.7 percent (21-of-31) from the field.

Southeast Missouri (9-21) is led by second team all-conference performer Leon Powell. The forward averages team highs in scoring (14.5 ppg) and rebounding (7.8 rpg). Powell ended the regular season leading the nation in field goal percentage at 64 percent. The Redhawks dropped four of their last five OVC games, but notched a critical win at regular season champion Murray State on Feb. 16.

If Eastern Kentucky defeats SEMO, the Colonels would then face No. 3 Austin Peay in the quarterfinals Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET. The Governors held EKU to an average of 51.5 ppg in two meetings this season.

The OVC tournament has a new format in 2011 as all seven games will be played at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. The combined men’s and women’s championship has been held at Municipal Auditorium five previous times – 1994, 1995, 1996, 2004 and 2008. The men also held its championship at the venue in 1989.


OVC TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

Official Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Web Page
--Click here

Tournament Bracket
--Click here for the men’s bracket!

Game Notes
--Click here for game notes!

Television
--None on March 2 and March 3. ESPNU will televise the semifinals on March 4 and ESPN2 will televise the finals on March 5.

Video Streaming
--Games on March 2 and March 3 can be seen on the web for FREE as part of OVCSports.tv. Click here for live video stream!

Live Audio
--All of EKU’s games can be heard locally on WCYO 100.7 FM. Click here for live radio broadcast!

Live Stats
--Click here for live stats!

Tickets
--Tickets in the EKU section are available by calling the EKU ticket office at 859-622-2122.

Directions
--Click here for directions to the Nashville Municipal Auditorium.

Storylines
--Senior forward Spencer Perrin has made at least five field goals in 10 consecutive games. Perrin posted game highs in points (20) and rebounds (nine) the last time these two teams played on Feb. 10.

--Over the last two games, the Colonels are shooting just 28.6 percent (12-of-42) from three-point range. EKU leads the league in three-pointers made per game (8.0) and ranks third in three-point shooting (37.3 percent).