NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball opens the 2014-15 season Friday at Wright State.
The Bruins went 26-10 last season, whichincluded a fifth consecutive regular season conference championship, a win at six-time National Champion North Carolina, and two victories in the Postseason NIT. Belmont nearly claimed a seventh NCAA Tournament bid in nine years, but dropped a 79-73 decision to Eastern Kentucky in the OVC Championship.
The Bruins will adjust to life after J.J. Mann, Blake Jenkins and Drew Windler, as all three were lost to graduation. Mann, who was named AP Honorable Mention All-America and OVC Player of the Year in 2014, scored a Belmont NCAA-era single-season record 660 points a year ago. Mann and Jenkins combined to win 109 games over their four years.
Belmont will turn to its experienced backcourt, fifth-year senior Reece Chamberlain (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) and junior Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.). The seasoned duo was named Preseason All-OVC.
Wright State went 21-15 last season, reaching the Horizon League Championship game and the second round of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.
This marks the fifth meeting between Belmont and Wright State. The teams last met during the 2009-10 season in Seattle, Wash.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app.
Live play-by-play can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network.
Game Notes - Belmont at Wright State
