NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Wednesday vs. Kennesaw State.
The Bruins defeated Lipscomb, 81-71, Saturday in posting their second consecutive wire-to-wire victory. Junior Luke Smith (Knoxville, Tenn.) continued his fine play with a team-high 19 points and a season-high five steals.
Smith, who became the first player in Belmont's NCAA Division I era to score 100 or more points in his first five games, leads the OVC in eight statistical categories, including first among players who have played multiple games (20.0 ppg).
The 6-0 guard ranks second nationally in 3-point field goals and seventh in steals.
Smith was named DC Paradise Jam Most Valuable Player and Monday became the first player in nearly three years to earn OVC Player of the Week and OVC Newcomer of the Week honors the same week.
Junior Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio) has provided consistent inside scoring for Belmont. The 6-11 center has 58 career double figure scoring games following his 14-point performance at Lipscomb and is one of only three post players in America to score 975 or more points over the last two seasons.
Muszynski is 11 points shy of Taylor Barnette for 19th on Belmont's NCAA Division era scoring list.
Junior Grayson Murphy (Franklin, Tenn.) has continued his astounding rebounding rate from last season. After leading the nation in rebounding from the point guard position, Murphy has already recorded three double figure rebounding games this season, including two of his 11 career double-doubles. The reigning OVC Defensive Player of the Year ranks second in the OVC in rebounding (9.6 rpg) and is on pace to threaten OVC career records in assists and steals.
Freshman JaCobi Wood (Cleveland, Tenn.) recorded 11 points, eight assists and zero turnovers at Lipscomb. The dynamic playmaker has five double figure scoring games and leads the OVC in scoring among freshmen (13.0 ppg).
Sophomore Ben Sheppard (Atlanta, Ga.) had 10 points, four rebounds and three assists at Lipscomb. The 6-6 guard made 32 game appearances last season, emerging as a valuable two-way player for Belmont.
Sheppard and Class of 2021 Will Richard are natives of Atlanta.
Belmont head coach Casey Alexander faced Kennesaw State two times per season from 2012-19; 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 18th meeting between Belmont and Kennesaw State. Belmont has won 12 consecutive meetings, including last season at the Curb Event Center.
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 14 of the last 15 seasons, including nine berths to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have won 19 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 rankings 10 consecutive seasons (BYU, Gonzaga, Saint Mary's (CA), San Diego State, Wichita State). Belmont is one of only six NCAA Division I programs to win 19 or more games 15 consecutive seasons (Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Michigan State, 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.
