Men's Basketball Rings in New Year Wednesday at Northern Iowa

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball rings in the new year Wednesday at Northern Iowa.

Belmont fell to [rv/rv] Drake Sunday. The Bruins entered Christmas as one of only five programs undefeated in true road games with at least three victories (Duke, Memphis, St. Bonaventure, Longwood).
 
Sam Orme and Brody Peebles each scored in double figures to lead the Bruins.
 
Belmont ranks top 3 in the Missouri Valley Conference in eight statistical categories, including first in assist-turnover ratio and assists per game.
 
Belmont is one of six MVC teams to rank Top 50 nationally in effective field goal percentage – which accounts for 2-point and 3-point field goals.

The Bruins enter the season alongside Gonzaga, Kansas, and Oregon as one of four programs to win 20 or more games 14 consecutive seasons.
 
This marks the first time since its inaugural NCAA Division I season of 1996-97 that Belmont enters a campaign having to replace all five starters.
 
Belmont went 20-13 last season, finishing fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference.

What's Bruin

• Belmont is the only NCAA Division I institution in the nation to win 20 or more games nine consecutive seasons in men's and women's basketball.
• Belmont has 127 victories since the start of the 2020 season, ranking T-13 nationally to open the season.
• Belmont has won 20 conference championships (eight tournament, 12 regular season) since 2006. Only Gonzaga and Kansas have won more conference championships over that span.
• Belmont's 439 victories since 2007 leads the state of Tennessee - including Tennessee, Memphis, and Vanderbilt.
• This marks the first time since the 2013-14 season that Belmont enters a campaign without a returning all-conference player. That season, led by OVC Player of the Year and AP All-America Honorable Mention selection JJ Mann, Belmont won the OVC, won 26 games and reached the Postseason NIT Elite 8.
• Belmont finished Top 3 in the Missouri Valley Conference in 10 statistical categories in 2023-24 and ranked among national leaders in 3-point field goal percentage, effective field goal percentage, assists and scoring offense.
• Belmont head coach Casey Alexander is one of six NCAA Division I head coaches to win 20 or more games in eight consecutive seasons, joining Dana Altman (Oregon), Mark Few (Gonzaga), Greg McDermott (Creighton), Kelvin Sampson (Houston), and Bill Self (Kansas).

 
Isaiah Walker made two game-clinching free throws in Belmont's 76-72 victory vs. Northern Iowa Jan. 14, 2023.

Win Miller scored seven points vs. Northern Iowa Jan. 17, 2024 - his highest scoring output vs. a MVC opponent.

Belmont's defensive efficiency rating (points per possession) vs. Northern Iowa in the 2024 MVC Tournament (.891) was its best defensive performance in a setback since holding Morehead State to .830 PPP in the 2022 OVC Tournament.

This marks the sixth meeting between Belmont and Northern Iowa. Belmont won, 90-70, last season at the McLeod Center.
 
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on Gray Media local television affiliates (check your local listings for availability in your area), ESPN+ and the ESPN app. The live play-by-play can be heard on Belmont Bruins Radio. In-game updates will be available via Twitter @BelmontMBB.

Belmont tickets are on sale now at BelmontBruins.com/Tickets, in addition to Puckett's flex packs, single-game tickets and group experiences. Fans can also call or text 615.460.BALL (2255).

To become a Bruin Club member, contact Russell Grimm at (615) 460-5668 or russell.grimm@belmont.edu.

Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
 
Belmont University men's basketball has been a postseason fixture for the last two decades, including nine berths to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have won 20 conference championships since 2006 - third-most nationally over that span (behind Gonzaga and Kansas). Belmont has won 20 or more games in 14 consecutive seasons (alongside Gonzaga, Kansas, and Oregon) and 19 or more games in 19 consecutive seasons (alongside Gonzaga, Kansas, and San Diego State). Belmont is among select programs with two or more first-round selections in the NBA Draft over the last five years (Ben Sheppard, Dylan Windler). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 19 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 its existence. Belmont is the only NCAA Division I institution in America whose men's and women's basketball programs have won 20 or more games in nine consecutive seasons.