Men's Basketball 11/26/2021 12:00:00 AM

Iona Preview

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - - Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Friday vs. Iona in the ESPN Events Invitational semifinal round.

Will Richard had 11 points and a career-high 14 rebounds Thanksgiving night vs. [rv/rv] Drake.

What's Bruin

Belmont defeated [rv/rv] Drake, 74-69, Thanksgiving night.
Nick Muszynski had a career-high 31 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots.
Grayson Murphy had 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and a career-high seven steals vs. Furman. The 6-3 guard went over 1,000 career points on a steal and score in the second half. Murphy is on pace to become the Ohio Valley Conference career leader in assists and steals.
Luke Smith scored a team-high 20 points vs. Furman. The 6-0 guard was named Preseason All-OVC after earning OVC All-Newcomer Team and DC Paradise Jam Most Valuable Player honors last season. Smith has 1,395 career points and 70 career double figure scoring games.
Ben Sheppard had 17 points vs. Drake. The 6-6 guard has scored in double figures in every game this season and has emerged as Belmont's top two-way player.
JaCobi Wood scored a season-high 13 points vs. Furman. The 6-2 guard had 20 double figure scoring games last season, including a career-high 21 points in his debut vs. Howard.
Belmont (2019) and Iona (2012) were the only two programs in the decade of the 2010s to receive NCAA Tournament at-large bids from traditional one-bid leagues.
This marks Belmont's first game vs. a member of the MAAC since defeating Fairfield, 73-61, Dec. 20, 2014.
Belmont won the OVC regular season championship last season while Iona won the MAAC tournament championship.
Former Belmont head coach Rick Byrd and Iona head coach Rick Pitino are among the winningest coaches in college basketball history. They have combined to win 1,593 games. Byrd and Pitino both reached the 700 win mark in the 2015 season and were honored at the annual NABC conference.
Belmont head coach Casey Alexander and Iona head coach Rick Pitino have each received national coaching honors.
Belmont won an MTE last season (DC Paradise Jam)
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.
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 first meeting between Belmont and Iona.

Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU 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 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

#4 Will Richard: G; 6' 5"; Freshman; Woodward Academy

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

#3 Luke Smith: G; 6' 0"; Graduate Student; The University of the South

#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

#4 Will Richard
: 6' 5"; Freshman; Woodward Academy
: G

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

#3 Luke Smith
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student; The University of the South
: G

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