Insider's look at the OVC Basketball Championship

From the catwalk to the parking deck of the Municipal Auditorium comes the unique perspective of the OVC Basketball Championship. The dust may not truly settle until the post season tournament formats are announced, but one thing is for certain, basketball in the OVC is on the up and up.

What OVC fans witnessed was the strength and competitiveness of the conference, as five games were decided by six points or less. What OVC fans may have missed was these attributes spill over behind the scenes.

Post game press conferences proved to be the place that showcased the desire, camaraderie and hard work that makes up the OVC. TSU head coach Tracee Wells and player Jasmin Shuler elaborated on what the season meant to them with tears in their eyes. That same night saw their counter part on the men's side, Head Coach John Cooper, stick up for Kenny Moore when asked about missing a crucial free throw in the last few minutes when their team lost to UTM. Two days after TSU had been brought to tears, Brooke Faulkner was in the same situation as she reflected back on her career at APSU after a loss to TTU in the semifinals. Truly good to see was TTU's Mike Sutton come into the Morehead press conference to congratulate Kenneth Faried and wish him well.

Behind the scene moments also provided comic relief. When EIU head coach Brady Salle was asked about loosing three straight tournament games to APSU he responded, "I need to start arm wrestling ( APSU Head Coach Daniels) Carrie. Maybe I could take her, I am not sure."

The 2010-2011 basketball season and the tournament sums up where OVC basketball is heading. Tight games like TTU edging out Murray State shows the level of competition. UT Martin winning the women's championship with so many freshman highlights the bright future of the conference. I have to point out that in all the behind the scenes moments I captured, I never heard a coach or player criticize the refs or the other team, and I think this speaks well of the professionalism around the league.

From witnessing the Morehead State mascot do the dougie at halftime to listening in as George Plaster did his radio show live from the Municipal I had a blast watching the OVC tournament unfold. I am sure next season will only get better.

The latest updates on college basketball bracketology can be found here. To see where Morehead State ends up tune in Sunday to CBS at 6pm ET for the men's NCAA tournament announcement, to keep tabs on UT Martin watch ESPN at 7pm ET for the women's selection. The NIT will more than likely see Murray State on the men's side and Tennessee Tech on the women's side featured, with that announcement coming at 9pm ET Sunday night as well.