NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Saturday vs. Alabama in the 2019 Rocket City Classic.
The Bruins defeated Kennesaw State, 83-44, Wednesday. Sophomore Adam Kunkel (Hebron, Ky.) scored a game-high 24 points. The 6-3 guard has earned two OVC Player of the Week awards already this season and leads the nation in year-to-year scoring increase (+16.8 ppg). Kunkel ranks among OVC leaders in five statistical categories, including first in 3-point field goals per game (3.5) and second in scoring (19.1).
Sophomore Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio) continues to provides a quality inside presence on both ends of the floor for the Bruins. The 2019 Freshman All-American is averaging 15.4 points per game on 59 percent shooting from the field. Muszynski is on pace to become Belmont's NCAA Division I era career blocked shots leader later this season; he has 90 blocked shots in 43 career games.
Senior Michael Benkert (Greenwood, Ind.) has established himself as one of the most versatile and dependable defensive players in the Ohio Valley Conference. Led by Benkert's efforts, Belmont leads the OVC in defensive efficiency per Ken Pomeroy.
Belmont has a number of connections to the state of Alabama.
Program legend and two-time conference tournament MVP Kerron Johnson ('13) is a native of Huntsville. Kerron led Madison Academy to three state titles and was named 2009 Alabama Mr. Basketball. Johnson's brother, Kerryon, is a running back with the Detroit Lions and former SEC Offensive Player of the Year for Auburn.
Former Belmont guard/forward Dylan Windler and former Alabama guard Collin Sexton are teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Assistant coach Tyler Holloway is a native of Decatur and has been longtime friends with former Alabama and All-SEC forward Richard Hendrix.
Head coach Casey Alexander and UAH head coach John Shulman are close friends; assistant coach Sean Rutigliano previously served on the coaching staff at UAH under Lennie Acuff.
Assistant coach Mick Hedgepeth is a native of Crossville.
This marks the second time this season that Belmont will play in an arena that accommodates hockey and basketball; Belmont defeated Boston College, 100-85, at Conte Forum Nov. 16.
Belmont has won two consecutive games vs. the Southeastern Conference; the Bruins defeated Vanderbilt 69-60 (11/13/17) and won at Georgia 78-69 (3/15/17) in the 2017 Postseason NIT.
This marks the second meeting between Belmont and Alabama. The Bruins won in Tuscaloosa, 85-83, Nov. 19, 2007. Justin Hare hit the game-winning shot with 2.2 seconds remaining.
Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. CT from the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network 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.
Belmont vs. Alabama 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.
