Men's Basketball 11/12/2021 12:00:00 AM

Evansville Preview

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Saturday vs. Evansville.

Junior Ben Sheppard scored a career-high tying 25 points Tuesday. Sheppard, among the most talented and versatile two-way players in the OVC, has 15 career double figure scoring games.

What's Bruin

Belmont went 26-4 last season, claiming its 12th regular season conference championship in 16 years, seventh in nine years of OVC membership. The Bruins entered Selection Sunday with the most wins in America (with Gonzaga).
Belmont returns 97 percent of its offensive production and minutes from last season. All-OVC performers Nick Muszynski and Grayson Murphy stand among the most accomplished players at their respective positions in college basketball.
The state of Indiana has been an essential part of the Bruin program. Recent Bruins from the Hoosier state include Cleveland Cavalier guard Dylan Windler (Indianapolis), Seth Adelsperger (Peru), Michael Benkert (Greenwood), Mack Mercer (Plymouth), Jeff Laidig (Mishawaka), Adam Mark (Bremen), Steve Drabyn (LaPorte) and Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis).
Former Belmont All-American Evan Bradds had 28 points on 13-for-13 shooting at Evansville (11/21/15).
Belmont plays the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament each season at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.
Belmont, Gonzaga and Buffalo are the only three programs outside the power conferences to win NCAA Tournament games in men's and women's basketball since 2019.
Belmont and BYU were the only two programs outside the power conferences to receive Preseason AP Top 25 poll votes in men's and women's basketball.
Belmont will join the Missouri Valley Conference July 1, 2022.

This marks the fifth meeting between Belmont and Evansville. Belmont won, 72-63, at Evansville last season.

JaCobi Wood paced four Bruins in double figures with 18 points.

Belmont Athletics and Puckett's are proud to present the Military Appreciation Game. All veterans and active-duty military members will be recognized from their seats during the first half. Additional recognitions during the game include CreatiVets and Bruin Vets. For this game and every game this season, all active and retired military personnel receive free single-game admission as part of the Military Ticket Appreciation Program presented by Puckett's. Tying into the Military Appreciation Game, Belmont Athletics has partnered with The Belmont Store to feature the Camo Flag Bruin Tee. This limited-edition item will be available to purchase at the game and is also available online. Belmont University and Puckett's sincerely thank all our military members and veterans for their sacrifice for our country.

All ticketing is mobile for the 2021-22 home basketball season at the Curb Event Center. Fans should download tickets before leaving home and add them to their mobile wallet to present at the gate. Please call or text 615-460-2255 with any questions or consult our Mobile Ticketing Guide.

Get all the information you need to know before you head to the game! Game Day Guidelines

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 of Steve Layman can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network. In-game updates will be available via Twitter @BelmontMBB.

Belmont University men's basketball has earned postseason invitations 14 of the last 16 seasons, including nine berths to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have won 20 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 11 consecutive seasons (BYU, Gonzaga, Saint Mary's (CA), San Diego State, Wichita State). Belmont is one of only four NCAA Division I programs to win 19 or more games 16 consecutive seasons (Gonzaga, Kansas, San Diego State). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 18 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

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Players Mentioned

#2 Grayson Murphy: G; 6' 3"; Graduate Student; Independence HS

#33 Nick Muszynski: C; 6' 11"; Graduate Student; St. Charles Prep

#22 Ben Sheppard: G; 6' 6"; Junior; Greater Atlanta Christian

#24 JaCobi Wood: G; 6' 2"; Sophomore; Cleveland HS

Players Mentioned

#2 Grayson Murphy
: 6' 3"; Graduate Student; Independence HS
: G

#33 Nick Muszynski
: 6' 11"; Graduate Student; St. Charles Prep
: C

#22 Ben Sheppard
: 6' 6"; Junior; Greater Atlanta Christian
: G

#24 JaCobi Wood
: 6' 2"; Sophomore; Cleveland HS
: G