NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont men’s basketball kicks off its regular season on Monday against Air Force. The Bruins had a solid exhibition game against Tennessee Tech, winning 85-72. Nic McClain stood out with nine points, 14 rebounds, and six assists.
Last season, the Bruins finished with a record of 22-11, and they’ve been making waves in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). Over the last three years, Belmont has earned 40 conference wins, ranking them third in the MVC. With 20 conference championships under their belt, only Gonzaga has a stronger record.
Belmont is returning 11 players, including standout guard Tyler Lundblade, along with forwards Sam Orme and Brigham Rogers. Both Lundblade and Orme are recognized on the MVC Preseason Watch List.
Here are some interesting facts about Belmont basketball:
– Belmont is unique as the only NCAA Division I school where both the men’s and women’s teams have won 20 or more games for ten consecutive seasons.
– Since 2020, they have achieved 140 victories, tying for 19th nationally.
– The Bruins have claimed 20 conference titles since 2006, with only Gonzaga and Kansas surpassing that.
– Their 452 wins since 2007 lead all Tennessee schools, including Tennessee, Memphis, and Vanderbilt.
Head coach Casey Alexander is impressive too. He’s among only six NCAA Division I coaches who have won 20 or more games for nine consecutive seasons. Notably, Matt Norlander from CBS Sports has picked Belmont to win the MVC and placed them at No. 84 nationally.
Interestingly, in the past decade, MVC teams have performed well in the NCAA tournament, holding a 13-4 record in their first games since 2012. The league has also produced multiple tournament bids since 1994.
Looking at history, Belmont earned a significant win against Air Force on November 30, 2003, during their early NCAA Division I days. At that time, Air Force was a nationally-ranked team, which made the victory notable.
This matchup marks the fourth meeting between Belmont and Air Force. Belmont leads the series 2-1, having won their last encounter by a score of 79-71 in Colorado Springs.
Belmont has shown great strength at home, winning 20 of their last 21 home openers. The game against Air Force is set to tip off at 6:30 p.m. CT at the Curb Event Center.
For those following the game, you can watch it on ESPN+ or listen to the play-by-play on Belmont Bruins Radio.
With the Bruins’ strong tradition, including multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and a track record of academic excellence (they’ve had 19 Academic All-America selections), fans are looking forward to another exciting season.
For more updates, connect with Belmont men’s basketball on social media, and check out their official app for the latest news.
Source link
