NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Wednesday vs. Kennesaw State.
The Bruins defeated Carson-Newman, 105-56, Dec. 11. Belmont had six double figure scorers and set an NCAA Division I era program single-game record with 33 assists on 40 made field goals.
Freshman Ben Sheppard (Atlanta, Ga.) scored a career-high 18 points in 16 minutes en route to OVC Freshman of the Week honors.
Sophomore Adam Kunkel (Hebron, Ky.) continues to provide consistent offensive production for the Bruins. The 6-3 guard leads the nation in year-to-year scoring average increase (+16.3 ppg).
Kunkel ranks among OVC leaders in five statistical categories, including first in 3-point field goals per game (3.50) and second in points per game (18.6).
Sophomore Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio) had 15 points and six rebounds in 20 minutes vs. Carson-Newman. The 6-11 center was named Preseason All-OVC and to the Lou Henson Award Watch List. Over his last four games, Muszynski is averaging 19.8 points per game on 67 percent shooting.
Belmont head coach Casey Alexander faced Kennesaw State two times per season each of the last eight years; the previous six years as head coach at Lipscomb and two prior at Stetson.
Belmont assistant coach Tyler Holloway was coached by Kennesaw State head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim as a senior at Murray State in 2009. Abdur-Rahim served as an assistant coach under Billy Kennedy.
Former Belmont All-American and 2014 OVC Player of the Year J.J. Mann is a native of Smyrna, Georgia.
Belmont and Kennesaw State met 14 times as Atlantic Sun Conference foes from 2005-12.
This marks the 17th meeting between Belmont and Kennesaw State. Belmont has won 11 consecutive meetings, including 91-53 last season in Kennesaw.
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.
Kennesaw State 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.
