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Dance Card: UT-Martin, Ohio Valley

Who? The Skyhawks of Tennessee-Martin. Always Skyhawks, never Lady Skyhawks.

What? Specifically, red-tailed hawks, and Captain is explicitly non-gendered.

Where? Martin, Tennessee, on what Wikipedia describes as a "particularly scenic and well-landscaped" campus.

When? March 3rd, at Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Why? They won the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.

How? A second half run broke open a tight game, and the Skyhawks took out Tennessee Tech 82-65. Heather Butler had 35 points, while Jasmine Newsome had 26 points and 11 rebounds.

Surprise? Not particularly. UT-Martin was slated to finish second in the preseason poll, and took the top seed in the conference tournament.

RPI (as of 3/3): 108

SOS (as of 3/3): 299

Record: 23-8 (16-1 Ohio Valley)

Good wins: at Southern Miss might be a good win for an OVC school.

Bad losses: No really egregious ones; losing by only 13 at Louisville is fairly impressive.

Who's running this show? Kevin McMillan, since 2009. Did a bit of time at Middle Tennessee State.

Extra, Extra ! The Weakley County Press covers UT-Martin. The Skyhawks have also impressed on campus.


The Skyhawks were a good young team last year. They're a good, not quite as young, team this year. They're led by the high-scoring sophomore duo of Heather Butler (24.1 points per game) and Jasmine Newsome (19.9 points and almost six assists per game). Sophomore forward Jaclissa Haislip is the third piece of the puzzle, averaging 10.2 points and leading the team in rebounding with 6.4. UT-Martin's very fond of the three-point shot, second in the nation in makes and third in accuracy.

What I wouldn't give to see them go at it with Florida Gulf Coast...