NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Thursday vs. Tennessee Tech.
The Bruins defeated Eastern Kentucky, 83-70, Feb. 22. Sophomore Adam Kunkel (Hebron, Ky.) scored a game-high 22 points despite early foul trouble. The 6-3 guard has a team-high 27 double figure scoring games this season and ranks seventh in the OVC in scoring at 17.1 points per game. Kunkel has seen the second-biggest year-to-year scoring increase in the nation this season, increasing his scoring output by 14.8 points per game. He is averaging 21.3 points per game over his last three games and had a career-high 35 points in Belmont's victory at Boston College.
Sophomore Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio) played through a left ankle injury sustained at Morehead State to make his 26th consecutive start at Eastern Kentucky. The 6-11 center has 24 double figure scoring games this season and ranks among OVC leaders in five statistical categories, including points per game (14.8), rebounds per game (6.4) and blocked shots per game (1.6). He was named to the Lou Henson Award Midseason Watch List. Muszynski had a team-high 19 points in the meeting with Tennessee Tech earlier this season.
Sophomore Grayson Murphy (Franklin, Tenn.) has been one of the most impactful players in the OVC this season. Murphy has nine career double-doubles, including 16 points and 10 rebounds at Morehead State Feb. 20. The 6-2 guard leads the nation in rebounding from the point guard position (7.5) and is second in assist-turnover ratio (4.04). Murphy also ranks top 10 nationally in total steals (79), steals per game (2.72) and total assists (182). He has multiple steals in 12 of his last 13 games, and with a career-high tying seven steals at Eastern Kentucky set the Belmont NCAA Division I era single-season record for steals.
Graduate student Tyler Scanlon (Centreville, Va.) had 14 points and three steals at Eastern Kentucky. The 6-7 forward ranks among OVC leaders in scoring (12.2), field goal percentage (.502), 3-point field goal percentage (.385) and 3-point field goals per game (1.8).
Senior Michael Benkert (Greenwood, Ind.) scored a career-high 15 points at Western Kentucky and had 11 points at Tennessee Tech. One of the top perimeter defenders in the OVC, Benkert has made 33 consecutive starts for the Bruins.
Freshman Ben Sheppard (Atlanta, Ga.) had a career-high three steals vs. Murray State Feb. 6. The 6-6 guard has made 28 game appearances, including 10 points and three rebounds at Eastern Kentucky.
Sophomore Caleb Hollander (Nashville, Tenn.) has provided a huge lift off the bench in recent weeks. The 6-8 forward has five double figure scoring games and had a season-high 14 points vs. Austin Peay. Hollander scored a career-high 22 points vs. Morehead State last season (1/10/19).
Junior Nick Hopkins (Fayetteville, Tenn.) scored 33 points over his last four games. The 6-0 guard ranks among OVC active leaders in career 3-point field goals (146).
The Bruins currently rank first in the Ohio Valley Conference in 13 statistical categories, including scoring offense (81.2), 3-point field goals per game (10.1) and defensive rebounds per game (28.55). Belmont is top 25 nationally in 10 statistical categories, including first in assists per game (18.8) and third in assist-turnover ratio (1.57).
Belmont and Tennessee Tech rank first and second in the OVC in assists per game in league games.
Senior Seth Adelsperger (Peru, Ind.) has two of his six career double figure scoring games vs. Tennessee Tech. Adelsperger, who was named Academic All-District last week, scored eight points at Eastern Kentucky.
Former Belmont head coach Rick Byrd served as an assistant coach at Tennessee Tech from 1980-83.
This marks the 26th meeting between Belmont and Tennessee Tech. Belmont had six double figure scorers and handed out 24 assists on 30 made field goals in the victory earlier this season.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT. 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.
Scanlon, Benkert and Adelsperger will be honored prior to the game.
Tennessee Tech 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 seven NCAA Division I programs to win 19 or more games 15 consecutive seasons (BYU, Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Louisville, 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.
