Halfway through the Ohio Valley Conference men’s basketball schedule, the standings are starting to sort the teams one by one.

With most teams already six games into conference play, there is already a noticeable separation between the nine teams.

Preseason favorite Tennessee Tech has proven themselves to be the team to beat by posting the only undefeated record in conference play through their first five games.

“As the preseason indicated, Tennessee Tech has been the front-runner that teams are trying to catch,” Eastern head coach Rick Samuels said.

Eastern, along with Tennessee-Martin and Austin Peay, are the teams fighting to keep close to Tech with records of 4-2. Morehead State is also in the hunt after compiling a 3-2 record.

The Golden Eagles have not shown many weaknesses up to this point in the season, making it more difficult for teams to contend with on the court. Tennessee Tech has shown that it can get offensive production by having four players average double digits in points.

Tech is not only having success with points on the scoreboard, but by holding a strong defense on the court. The Golden Eagles are ranked first in the OVC in points allowed with an average of 67.3.

But all these statistics doesn’t cause doubt in Samuels that Eastern can’t defeat Tech.

“They have some dangerous road games ahead them and we have not had the chance of playing them,” Samuels said.