NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Wednesday vs. Carson-Newman.
Belmont defeated Lipscomb, 80-75, Dec. 3; the Bruins have won 15 of the last 17 meetings in the Battle of the Boulevard series.
Sophomore Adam Kunkel (Hebron, Ky.) scored a game-high 27 points en route to his second OVC Player of the Week honor.
The 6-3 guard has been one of the top stories in college basketball this season, leading the nation in year-to-year scoring average increase (+16.5 ppg).
Kunkel ranks among OVC leaders in five statistical categories, including first in 3-point field goals per game (3.44) and second in points per game (18.8).
He already has three games of 25 or more points, including a career-high 35 points at Boston College Nov. 16 and 28 points vs. Samford Nov. 11.
Sophomore Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio) scored 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting vs. Lipscomb, his 33rd career double figure scoring game. The 6-11 center was named OVC Player of the Week Dec. 2 and is part of the Lou Henson Award Watch List.
Sophomore Grayson Murphy (Franklin, Tenn.) leads the nation in rebounding from the point guard position (8.9 rpg). The 6-2 guard has flirted with triple-doubles in four games this season. Murphy, like Muszynski, was named Preseason All-OVC.
Senior Michael Benkert (Greenwood, Ind.) has emerged as a trusted two-way player for the Bruins. Regarded as one of the top perimeter defenders in the OVC, the 6-4 guard recorded nine rebounds in two of his last three games. Benkert has made 52 career 3-point field goals.
Graduate student Tyler Scanlon (Centreville, Va.) provided 13 points, six rebounds and six assists vs. Lipscomb. The Boston University transfer ranks among NCAA leaders in assists per game among frontcourt players (3.44).
This marks the 42nd meeting between Belmont and Carson-Newman, but first since Dec. 7, 1992. Belmont won, 99-66.
Belmont head coach
Casey Alexander was a sophomore at Belmont, and played in the game.
Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. CT from the Curb Event Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. The live play-by-play of
Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network. In-game updates will be available via Twitter @BelmontMBB.
Carson-Newman at Belmont Game Notes
Belmont University men's basketball has earned postseason invitations 13 of the last 14 seasons, including eight berths to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have won 17 conference championships since 2006 - third-most nationally over that span (Gonzaga, Kansas). Belmont is one of only six NCAA Division I programs outside the Power 5 to post Top 100 RPIs nine consecutive seasons (BYU, Gonzaga, Saint Mary's (CA), San Diego State, Wichita State). Belmont is one of only nine NCAA Division I programs to win 19 or more games 14 consecutive seasons (BYU, Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina, San Diego State). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 17 CoSIDA Academic All-America selections since 2001 and is the only NCAA Division I program to make the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Honor Roll every year of existence.
