Men's Basketball 12/12/2016 12:00:00 AM

Belmont-Middle Tennessee Game Preview

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action following semester exams Wednesday vs. Middle Tennessee.

The Bruins defeated Lipscomb, 78-76, in overtime Dec. 6. Senior Taylor Barnette (Lexington, Ky.) hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds remaining.

Last season, Belmont's Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) led the nation in field goal percentage (.714) while Middle Tennessee's Giddy Potts led the nation in 3-point field goal percentage (.506).

Bradds and Middle Tennessee's Reggie Upshaw have been named to the Lute Olson Award Watch List.

Belmont senior Nick Smith and Middle Tennessee freshman Tyrik Dixon both hail from Bentonville, Arkansas.

In 2014, Belmont and Middle Tennessee each graduated conference player of the year and AP All-America Honorable Mention honorees: Belmont's J.J. Mann was OVC Player of the Year and Shawn Jones was Conference USA Player of the Year.

Mann's 32-point performance in victory at Middle Tennessee (12/3/13) - without Craig Bradshaw and Reece Chamberlain due to injury - was described by Coach Byrd as one of the great single-game performances in program history.

Bradds and Middle Tennessee guard Edward Simpson are both candidates for the Allstate NABC Good Works Team.

Belmont and UAB are the only programs in America to tally multiple victories at Middle Tennessee over the last six seasons.

This marks the 14th straight season Belmont and Middle Tennessee have played during the non-conference slate.

This marks the 37th meeting between Belmont and Middle Tennessee. Belmont has won seven of the last nine contests, with the Blue Raiders winning last year in Murfreesboro.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT from the Curb Event Center. The game will be broadcast on the American Sports Network (check local listings). The live play-by-play can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network and 104.5 The Zone. In-game updates will be available via Twitter @BelmontMBB.

Middle Tennessee at Belmont Game Notes

Television Local Listings on the American Sports Network

Belmont Basketball welcomes the Belmont University College of Law faculty, staff, students and friends. Belmont Law is home to over 250 current students and over 200 alumni. Belmont Law proudly boasts the state's highest two-year bar pass rate average at 91 percent.

The game will be Star Wars Night, with Bruin fans encouraged to dress up as their favorite Star Wars' character. Chewbacca, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, Boba Fett, and Stormtroopers are scheduled to be in attendance.

Four fans will WIN a FREE pair of tickets to see Rogue One - A Star Wars Story on opening week (Dec. 15 & 16)!

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#23 Craig Bradshaw: G; 6' 3"; Senior; Christ Presbyterian Academy

#20 Taylor Barnette: G; 6' 3"; Senior; Virginia

#35 Evan Bradds: F; 6' 7"; Senior; Greeneview HS

#2 Nick Smith: F; 6' 8"; Senior; Bentonville HS

Players Mentioned

#23 Craig Bradshaw
: 6' 3"; Senior; Christ Presbyterian Academy
: G

#20 Taylor Barnette
: 6' 3"; Senior; Virginia
: G

#35 Evan Bradds
: 6' 7"; Senior; Greeneview HS
: F

#2 Nick Smith
: 6' 8"; Senior; Bentonville HS
: F