Men's Basketball Plays in MVC Quarterfinal Round Friday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont men's basketball returns to game action Friday in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament quarterfinal round.
 
It was a remarkable regular season for Belmont, as the Bruins were ranked Top 50 nationally and among the top programs in field goal percentage offense and defense. Belmont has earned national Top 25 poll votes in 12 of the last 16 seasons.
 
Six Belmont players earned all-conference honors this week, headlined by Tyler Lundblade being named Larry Bird MVC Player of the Year and State Farm Scholar-Athlete of the Year and head coach Casey Alexander named MVC Coach of the Year.
 
Belmont (26-5) defeated Indiana State, 87-70, Feb. 21, to secure the outright Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship – the program's 13^th regular season conference championship in the last 21 seasons.
 
Interestingly, the last two times the outright MVC regular season championship was secured that early, 2018 Loyola Chicago went to the Final Four and 2014 Wichita State earned an NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed and went 35-0.
 
Belmont joins Houston and Louisville in an exclusive fraternity of programs to win men's basketball conference championships in three different leagues over the last two decades.
 
Belmont enters the week ranked No. 29 in the national 'Power 37' by college basketball reporter Andy Katz, No. 39 in KPI, No 42 in adjusted ELO, No. 47 by ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas, No. 50 in WAB, and No. 53 in strength of record.
 
In fact, Belmont's composite KPI, WAB, and SOR average ranks ahead of numerous national programs, including, USC, Indiana, Seton Hall, Cal, Cincinnati, and San Diego State.
 
Through games played March 3, Belmont is tied for 10^th nationally in victories (26) – with Virginia, Saint Louis, McNeese State, and UNC Wilmington.
 
Belmont has 13 victories away from home this season – fourth nationally behind Michigan, Duke, and Miami (OH).
 
Belmont ranks Top 50 nationally in 11 statistical categories, including first nationally in effective field goal percentage, fourth in field goal percentage, and 26^th in field goal percentage defense.
 
And since Alexander became head coach prior to the 2019-20 season, Belmont's 166 victories rank 14^th nationally – ahead of the likes of Tennessee, Auburn, Creighton, Baylor, and North Texas – all with a transition to the Missouri Valley Conference.
 
In going over the century mark in victories over Murray State and Drake, Belmont became the first Missouri Valley Conference program since Wichita State in 1988 to eclipse 100 points in back-to-back games.
 
Per Ken Pomeroy, Belmont is believed to be just the third team in America this season to record back-to-back offensive efficiency games over 145.0 against NCAA Division I opponents – joining Illinois and Iowa.
 
In victory over Murray State Jan. 31, Belmont joined Gonzaga, Kansas in exclusive company as programs to win 20 or more games in 16 consecutive seasons (Oregon can join).
 
Belmont is one of 11 programs to earn 20 or more victories in the first three months of the season (Nov.-Jan.) joining the likes of Arizona, Gonzaga, Miami (OH), UConn, Saint Louis, Michigan, Duke, Nebraska, George Mason, and High Point.
 
Belmont is also just the fifth team in Missouri Valley Conference history to reach 20 victories by Jan. 31, joining 2014 Wichita State, 1986 Bradley, 2012 Creighton, and 2015 Northern Iowa – each of whom earned Top 8 seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
 
Belmont and Saint Louis have been 1-2 nationally in effective field goal percentage all season long – which accounts for 2-point and 3-point field goal attempts. Belmont is the only program in America to rank Top 5 nationally in 2-point field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage per Ken Pomeroy.
 
Moreover, Belmont joins Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Duke, North Carolina, Louisville, Saint Louis, and Utah Valley as one of nine programs to rank Top 45 nationally in 2-point field goal percentage offense and 2-point field goal percentage defense.
 
Annually one of the nation's top assist teams, Belmont leads the Missouri Valley Conference and ranks 10^th nationally in assists per game (18.4). Belmont has nine games of 20 or more assists, including a season-high 26 assists vs. Saint Francis Nov. 24. The Bruins have 193 assists over their last 10 games.
 
Annually one of the nation's top 3-point shooting teams, Belmont has outscored its opposition in points in the paint by a combined +352 points through 31 games. The Bruins have outscored 26 of 31 opponents in points in the paint, including College of Charleston and Middle Tennessee by +22 points each.
 
Tyler Lundblade has a team-high 28 double figure scoring games this season. Lundblade scored 22 points vs. Toledo Nov. 26 en route to Coconut Hoops Most Valuable Player honors. He ranks among MVC and NCAA leaders in 3-point field goals per game and free throw percentage. Lundblade leads the MVC in five statistical categories, including 3-point field goals made and minutes per game. He scored a career-high 31 points vs. Northern Iowa Feb. 12 and 27 points vs. Murray State Jan. 31. The Dallas, Texas native was named to the Lou Henson Award early season watch list and E*TRADE Men's 3-Point Championship watch list. He is second nationally in made 3-point field goals since the start of the 2024-25 season (216).

Drew Scharnowski was named First Team All-MVC, All-MVC Defensive Team, and MVC Most-Improved Team earlier this week. He has 17 double figure scoring games this season, including four double-doubles. He had 19 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists vs. Murray State Jan. 31. Scharnowski scored the go-ahead basket with 11 seconds left vs. Valparaiso Jan. 13. The 6-9 forward ranks among MVC leaders in defensive blocked shot rate, offensive rebounding rate, and effective field goal percentage per Ken Pomeroy. Scharnowski had seven or more rebounds in eight straight games through Jan. 13. For a four-week stretch from mid-December to mid-January, the forward averaged over 14 points and eight rebounds per game. The Burlington, Illinois native was also named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete Team.
 
Brigham Rogers continues to provide consistent production for the Bruins. The 6-9 forward was named to the MVC All-Bench Team and was an All-Defensive Team candidate. He has eight double figure scoring games this season. His basket with 1:07 left helped Belmont defeat UIC. He had nine points, five rebounds, and five assists vs. Northern Iowa Feb. 12. He ranks 17^th nationally in 2-point field goal percentage. Rogers ranked among MVC leaders in offensive rebounding and blocked shots last season. He had a career-high 17 points and nine rebounds vs. Southern Illinois last season. The Woodstock, Georgia native was also named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete Team.
 
Sam Orme ranks among the most versatile and consistent players in the MVC. He was named Second Team All-MVC after earning MVC All-Freshman Team honors last season. The Carmel, Indiana native has 20 double figure scoring games this season, including a career-high 22 points vs. Drake Feb. 3 and 15 points vs. Northern Iowa Feb. 12. The forward had 12 points and 12 rebounds at UC Irvine. Orme has multiple 3-pointers in 16 games this season. Orme had the game-winning basket at Drake Jan. 10.

Nic McClain has been an important two-way player for Belmont this season. The Jennings, Florida native has eight double figure scoring games, and ranks among MVC leader in assists per game. McClain had 12 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists at College of Charleston. He scored a season-high 20 points at Middle Tennessee.
 
Bez Jenkins has been an impactful two-way player for Belmont this season. The Covington, Georgia native has 14 double figure scoring games this season. He had a career-high 18 points and seven rebounds vs. Bradley and posted a team-high 17 points vs. Valparaiso Jan. 13. Jenkins has been a galvanizing force in home games during conference play, averaging nearly 12 points, six rebounds, and three steals at the Curb Event Center. He has steals in seven straight games.
 
Isaiah West has been a mainstay for Belmont this season. The Springfield, Tennessee native has 87 career game appearances, and made his first career start for Belmont Jan. 7 at Northern Iowa. The 6-2 guard had nine points, five rebounds, three assists, five steals, and the game-winning assist at Drake. He ranks among league leaders in steals and had a career-high eight assists vs. Illinois State. West had four points and three steals – including a huge driving basket with 1:26 left vs. Northern Iowa Feb. 12. He had a career-high seven rebounds and four assists vs. Indiana State. West has been praised by Coach Alexander and his teammates for consistent play and his defensive attentiveness.
 
Jack Smiley has keyed outstanding contributions this season as he was named MVA All-Freshman Team and MVC All-Bench Team earlier this week. The Indiana native had a career-high 21 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals at Murray State Feb. 15. He recorded 19 points and six assists at Northern Iowa. Smiley had 17 points in 13 minutes vs. Saint Francis in the Coconut Hoops opening game. He scored 11 second-half points vs. UIC en route to MVC Freshman of the Week honors. Smiley had a clutch basket with 24 seconds left to help secure the victory at Evansville. The 6-2 guard had a career-high seven assists vs. Bradley. Smiley made three straight 3-pointers in a 92-second span at Valparaiso and provided 14 points and three assists at Southern Illinois Jan. 17. He also provided the go-ahead basket vs. Northern Iowa Feb. 12. He has 12 double figure scoring games.
 
Eoin Dillon was named MVC All-Freshman Team. The forward earned MVC Freshman of the Week honors for the third consecutive time Feb. 2. Dillon had a career-high 23 points at Valparaiso Jan. 28. He also played lead roles in numerous games during conference play, including 19 points at Murray State Feb. 15. The Peoria, Illinois native had 14 points – all in the second half – at Drake. He scored 12 points at UC Irvine. The 6-9 forward has made game-tying or go-ahead baskets in the final minutes of six games this season. He had the game-winning assist vs. Valparaiso Jan. 13. Per CBB Analytics, Dillon is one of only three players in college basketball (minimum 300 minutes) to reach the exclusive 50/40/90 shooting splits of elite shooters.
 
Aidan Noyes battled injuries during the first two months of the season, returning Jan. 24 vs. Illinois State. The Cincinnati, Ohio native went 17-for-35 from 3-point distance during conference play, including standout performances vs. Murray State and Bradley. His nine points also contributed to victory at UIC Feb. 6. Noyes was part of an Atlantic 10 championship team at Richmond in 2023-24.
 
Win Miller has provided quality bench contributions for the Bruins. The Vestavia Hills, Alabama native scored nine points in 14 minutes vs. Bradley. He has posted two double figure scoring games this season, including 10 points in 19 minutes at Oral Roberts. Miller scored six points at Drake. He has a 3-pointer in 11 games this season.
 
Belmont went 22-11 last season. The Bruins' 56 conference wins over the last three-plus seasons rank first in the MVC.
 
With 21 conference championships and 377 conference wins – second only to Gonzaga – over the past two decades, Belmont is a respected national program.

What's Bruin

• Belmont is the only NCAA Division I institution in the nation to win 20 or more games 10 consecutive seasons in men's and women's basketball.
• Belmont has 166 victories since the start of the 2020 season, ranking Top 20 nationally.
• Belmont has won 21 conference championships (eight tournament, 13 regular season) since 2006. Only Gonzaga and Kansas have won more conference championships over that span.
• Belmont's 478 victories since 2007 leads the state of Tennessee - including Tennessee, Memphis, and Vanderbilt.
• Belmont head coach Casey Alexander is one of three NCAA Division I head coaches to win 20 or more games in 10 consecutive seasons, joining Mark Few (Gonzaga), Kelvin Sampson (Houston), and Bill Self (Kansas). Dana Altman (Oregon) and Greg McDermott (Creighton) can join.
• Matt Norlander of CBS Sports picked Belmont to win the Missouri Valley Conference and had the Bruins ranked No. 84 nationally in his preseason rankings. Belmont was picked fifth in the MVC Preseason Poll and third by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook.
• Missouri Valley Conference teams are 13-4 in their first game in the NCAA tourney dating back to 2012. The league has combined for 21 wins in the NCAA Tournament in the past 12 NCAA championships and has had multiple bids 16 times since 1994.

 
Tyler Lundblade is the only player in college basketball to walk-on and earn a scholarship at three different schools (SMU, TCU, Belmont).
 
Belmont defeated Illinois State in the 2025 MVC quarterfinal round.
 
Belmont will play the winner of Thursday's first round game between No. 8 Southern Illinois and No. 9 Drake.

Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. CT from the Enterprise Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. The game will also air on select Gray Media local affiliate stations (check your local listings; Comcast Nashville Ch. 230 & 1171). The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Steve Layman can be heard on Belmont Bruins Radio. In-game updates will be available via Twitter @BelmontMBB.

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; Oregon can join) 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 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 10 consecutive seasons.
 
How to Follow
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