Dillon, Smiley Named to MVC Watch List

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball players Eoin Dillon and Jack Smiley were named to the 2026-27 Missouri Valley Conference Watch List, the league office announced Wednesday.
 
Dillon was named to the 2025-26 MVC All-Freshman team after playing an integral role in the Bruins' conference championship team.
 
The Peoria, Illinois native recorded 10 double figure scoring games, including a career-high 23 points – and game-clinching free throws – at Valparaiso (1/28/26). Dillon led the MVC in 3-point field goal percentage and ranked among league leaders in effective field goal percentage.
 
He became the first Belmont player of the NCAA Division I era to earn conference freshman of the year honors three consecutive weeks.
 
Dillon averaged 7.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game last season.
 
Smiley was named to the 2025-26 MVC All-Freshman Team and MVC All-Bench Team, bursting on the scene as one of the top young guards in the country.
 
The Valparaiso, Indiana native recorded 12 double figure scoring games, including a career-high 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists at Murray State (2/15/26). Smiley ranked among league leaders in assists and assist/turnover ratio, and was ranked in the MVC in assist rate.
 
He was listed as one of the top Breakout Candidates in college basketball for 2026-27 by respected national reporter Ryan Hammer and JPR Scouting.
 
Smiley averaged 8.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game last season.
 
Belmont season tickets – which include the entire men's and women's basketball home schedule – are on sale now at belmontbruins.com/tickets. 
 
To become a Bruin Club member, contact Russell Grimm at (615) 460-5668 or russell.grimm@belmont.edu.
 
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 21 conference championships since 2006 - third-most nationally over that span (behind Gonzaga and Kansas). Belmont has won 20 or more games in 16 consecutive seasons (alongside Gonzaga and Kansas) and 19 or more games in 21 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 six years (Ben Sheppard, Dylan Windler). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 20 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 11 consecutive seasons.
 
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