NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Thursday at Tennessee Tech.
The Bruins currently rank first in the Ohio Valley Conference in 11 statistical categories, including scoring offense (81.1), 3-point field goals per game (10.4) and defensive rebounds per game (30.52). Likewise, Belmont is top 25 nationally in 11 statistical categories, including first in total assists (394) and fifth in assist-turnover ratio (1.48).
Sophomore Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio) has 18 double figure scoring games this season and is on pace to become the fastest Belmont player to 1,000 career points in the NCAA Division I era.
Sophomore Grayson Murphy (Franklin, Tenn.) had a career-high 23 points and 10 assists at Austin Peay for his eighth career double-double. The 6-2 guard leads the nation in rebounding from the point guard position (8.0) and assist-turnover ratio (3.89).
Sophomore Adam Kunkel (Hebron, Ky.) has a team-high 19 double figure scoring games this season and ranks seventh in the OVC in scoring at 17.0 points per game. The 6-3 guard had a career-high 35 points in Belmont's victory at Boston College.
Graduate student Tyler Scanlon (Centreville, Va.) has recorded double figures in 10 of his last 11 games, and ranks among OVC leaders in scoring, 3-point field goal percentage and 3-point field goals per game. The 6-7 forward scored a season-high 21 points at Southeast Missouri.
Senior Michael Benkert (Greenwood, Ind.) scored a career-high 15 points at Western Kentucky. One of the top perimeter defenders in the OVC, Benkert has made 25 consecutive starts for the Bruins.
Senior Seth Adelsperger (Peru, Ind.) had two of his six career double figure scoring games vs. Tennessee Tech last season, including 10 points and three rebounds in the last meeting.
Former Belmont head coach Rick Byrd served as an assistant coach at Tennessee Tech from 1980-83.
This marks the 25th meeting between Belmont and Tennessee Tech. The Bruins won both meetings last season.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU 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 at Tennessee Tech 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.
