UT Martin Preview

The Bruins defeated Southeast Missouri, 77-66, Thursday. Junior Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio) recorded his 64th career double figure scoring game vs. Southeast Missouri with a season-high 26 points. The 6-11 center is a two-time First Team All-OVC selection. Muszynski passed Josh Goodwin and Matthew Dotson on the career scoring list vs. Southeast Missouri, now standing at 1,171 points, and is on pace to challenge Evan Bradds' NCAA Division I era career scoring record (1,921 points).

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 (8.6 rpg) and is on pace to threaten OVC career records in assists and steals. Murphy had eight points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals vs. Southeast Missouri.

Sophomore Ben Sheppard (Atlanta, Ga.) had eight points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals vs. Southeast Missouri. Sheppard was named OVC Player of the Week Monday. The 6-6 guard made 32 game appearances last season, emerging as a valuable two-way player for Belmont.

 

Junior Luke Smith (Knoxville, Tenn.) had 12 points and a season-high seven rebounds vs. Southeast Missouri. Smith became the first player in Belmont's NCAA Division I era to score 100 or more points in his first five games.

The 6-0 guard leads the OVC in seven statistical categories, and ranks eighth in the league in scoring (15.6 ppg).

He ranks fifth nationally in steals and 3-point field goals.

Smith was named DC Paradise Jam Most Valuable Player and Dec. 14 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.

Speaking of instant impact, freshman JaCobi Wood (Cleveland, Tenn.) led the Bruins in scoring in victories over Tennessee State and Evansville. The dynamic playmaker has been named OVC Freshman of the Week twice, has posted nine double figure scoring games and leads the OVC in scoring among freshmen (12.2 ppg). He had 11 points vs. Southeast Missouri.

Belmont set several program records in the 2019 victory at UT Martin, including most points in a regulation game in the NCAA Division I era (112) and most assists by a Belmont player in a single game (Grayson Murphy, 16).

2019 graduate Dylan Windler had 55 points and 25 rebounds in his final two games vs. UT Martin.

2018 graduate Austin Luke had 19 points, 10 assists, three steals and zero turnovers in victory at UT Martin three seasons ago - one of Luke's four career double-doubles. He graduated second in OVC history in assists (681).

Nick Smith ('17) tied the Curb Event Center single-game record for made 3-point field goals vs. UT Martin (10) (1/5/17). The Bruins set a Curb Event Center record with 14 first half 3-pointers.

This marks the 43rd meeting between Belmont and UT Martin. Belmont won, 90-69, Jan. 2 at UT Martin.

The Bruins handed out a season-high 27 assists and recorded 46 bench points.

Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. CT from the Curb Event Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. The live play-by-play can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network. In-game updates will be available via Twitter @BelmontMBB.

Belmont is proud to partner with FirstBank as game sponsor.

UT Martin 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