NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball returns to action Tuesday vs. Lipscomb.
Belmont dropped an 82-73 decision at [23/25] Rhode Island Friday. Sophomore Dylan Windler (Indianapolis, Ind.) had a career-high 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Bruins.
Belmont head coach Rick Byrd and Lipscomb head coach Casey Alexander have a bond that dates back to the early 90's. Alexander, a product of nearby Brentwood Academy, played point guard for Byrd at Belmont from 1991-95. He won 119 games as a player and helped lead Belmont to the top of the NAIA. As a senior in 1994-95, Alexander directed the then-Rebels to a 37-2 record, a No. 1 national ranking, and an appearance in the NAIA National Semifinals. From there, he spent 16 seasons as a part of Byrd's coaching staff. Belmont won 287 games with Alexander on staff.
This marks the ninth time Byrd and Alexander have coached against each other, which includes two games in the 2011-12 season when Alexander was at Stetson.
Lipscomb associate head coach Roger Idstrom was a member of Belmont's staff from 2000-11.
Lipscomb assistant coach Steve Drabyn was an All-Atlantic Sun guard for Belmont from 2000-04. Drabyn led the nation in free throw percentage in 2003, and ranks 10th on the Bruins' NCAA era career scoring list with 1,237 points. Drabyn was recently inducted into the Belmont University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Belmont associate head coach Brian Ayers played for Don Meyer at Lipscomb from 1989-93. Ayers coached with Alexander at Belmont from 1998-2011 and Idstrom from 2000-11.
Lipscomb junior Asa Duvall is the son of former Belmont player Danny Duvall ('81).
Belmont and Lipscomb have a combined five members in the NAIA Hall of Fame (Belmont: Rick Byrd, Joe Behling; Lipscomb: Don Meyer, Philip Hutcheson, John Pierce).
Belmont senior All-America candidate Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) averaged 23.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game in Belmont's two victories over Lipscomb in 2015-16.
This marks the 139th meeting between Belmont and Lipscomb. The Franklin American Mortgage Battle of the Boulevard series dates back to 1953.
Belmont holds an 18-9 series lead in the NCAA Division I era of the rivalry (2004-present). Belmont has won the last nine meetings, including 105-89 and 93-84 last season.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT from the Curb Event Center. The game will be broadcast on OVC Digital Network. The live play-by-play can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network and 104.5 The Zone. Live in-game updates will be available on Twitter @BelmontMBB.
Lipscomb at Belmont Game Notes
