Joe Behling Elected For Induction Into Small College Basketball Hall of Fame

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball legend Joe Behling has been elected for induction into the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame, the organization announced Sunday in Kansas City, Missouri.
 
The Class of 2026 induction ceremony will take place Friday, Nov. 6 at Polk Theatre in Lakeland, Florida.
 
Behling ranks among the most decorated athletes ever to wear a Belmont uniform.
 
A member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and NAIA Hall of Fame, Behling became the first three-time national All-American in Belmont history.
 
The 6-7 forward was named NAIA National Player of the Year and Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Male Amateur Athlete of the Year.
 
His career marks of 2,823 points and 1,163 field goals made are Belmont records likely to stand the test of time.
 
Moreover, his historic 58-point game at No. 1 Lipscomb March 4, 1989 led Belmont to its first-ever NAIA national tournament appearance.
 
His No. 54 jersey is one of only three retired men's basketball jerseys at Belmont – joining Robert Barnes (15) and Ian Clark (21).
 
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.
 
How to Follow
Follow Belmont men's basketball on social media - @BelmontMBB on X, formerly Twitter and @belmont_mbb on Instagram - for complete coverage of the Bruins. 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.