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LOCATION: Nashville, TN
CONFERENCE: Independent
LAST SEASON: 14-13 (.518)
CONFERENCE RECORD: N/A
STARTERS LOST/RETURNING: 0/5
NICKNAME: Bruins
COLORS: Navy Blue, Red & White
HOMECOURT: Striplin Gymnasium (2,500)
COACH: Rick Byrd (Tennessee '76)
record at school 298-128 (13 years)
career record 390-183 (18 years)
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ASSISTANTS: Casey Alexander (Belmont '95)
Brian Ayers (Lipscomb '93)
TEAM WINS: (last 5 years) 37-28-15-9-14
RPI (last 5 years) N/A
1998-99 FINISH: Lost final regular-season game.
ESPN.com Clubhouse
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When Belmont University announced its move into NCAA Division I status, eyebrows were raised. As for men's basketball long the bell cow for Belmont athletics how could the Bruins vacate the security of being one of the nation's premier NAIA programs? After all, Belmont had posted nine straight 20-win seasons in a stretch that also included three consecutive years of 30 or more wins. The best record in that span was 37-2 in 1994-95, a season in which the team achieved a No. 1 national ranking before an eventual top-four finish. Then came the move to NCAA Division I that included three seasons of provisional status in which the Bruins upgraded the schedule but, predictably, posted far less wins. Belmont coach Rick Byrd doesn't know of which he is the most proud the pre-NCAA emergence as a national NAIA power or the post-NCAA announcement that included a surprising winning record last season. "It's safe to say the 23-31 record (the last two seasons) was just as difficult to achieve as whatever winning percentage we had while competing in NAIA," said Byrd, the NAIA Coach of the Year in 1994-95.
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Blue Ribbon Analysis |
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BACKCOURT C+ BENCH/DEPTH C+
FRONTCOURT C INTANGIBLES C+
In Rick Byrd, Belmont has one of the brightest young coaches in the country. He cut his coaching teeth as a graduate assistant on the University of Tennessee staff of legendary Ray Mears and has gradually emerged as one of the most respected among his peers. Byrd has also tapped into the Nashville country music scene and received support from the likes of Vince Gill, who annually hosts a celebrity game to help fund the program. Byrd's no-nonsense approach has made Belmont competitive at the higher level in a hurry. Often outmatched athletically, his Bruins are always well-coached and play to their talents, while masking their weaknesses. The NCAA Tournament successes of such programs as Gonzaga, Valparaiso and College of Charleston offer hope for fledgling programs such as Belmont. Even so, the Bruins desperately need to align with a conference and begin construction as soon as possible on a new facility. Outdated Striplin Gym offers little to impress recruits, who are often swayed by the notion of playing in a modern city with much to offer. In the meantime, look for the Bruins to again be pesky opponents who win games on smarts and savvy as much as anything. And that can all be attributed to Byrd. |
"And last year's 14-13 record was a great year for our kids," he added. "We have not played an easy schedule, and we have not played many games at home. But we took some big steps last season by beating some teams who people know about." What teams were on Belmont's hit list? Try Butler, Samford, Winthrop, Tennessee State, Austin Peay and Middle Tennessee State (twice). And there were near-miss losses to Mississippi State, Navy, Western Kentucky and Valparaiso. "We have to continue to surprise some people," Byrd said. "The only way to gain respect and acceptance is by winning games. We need to have another winning season." With the NCAA provisional status lifted, Belmont can compete albeit as a longshot for a berth in the NCAA Tournament or NIT. But there are more immediate goals for the Bruins like finding a conference affiliation and building a new on-campus facility. And with those two items in place, Byrd thinks the next progression will be attracting better players, even though the NCAA status is already paying recruiting dividends. "It means a great deal in recruiting," Byrd said. "We are getting a lot more consideration from some good players that we didn't get before the move up." Not that the Bruins are devoid of talent this season. In fact, all five starters and the top 10 scorers return from last season. Belmont has been pointing to this season for its full-time NCAA emergence. The key returnee is 6-5 sophomore Wes Burtner, whose mismatches at power forward are used to force bigger and taller players to defend on the perimeter. Last season, he led the Bruins in scoring (14.5 ppg), rebounding (4.7 rpg) and three-point shooting percentage (.467). "Wes had a great freshman year," Byrd said of Burtner, who was chosen first-team all-freshman by College Hoops Insider. "He plays with a lot more maturity than a young player has the right to. And physically and mentally, he's a pretty tough kid." Returning at small forward is 6-4 senior Ryan Steger (9.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg), a three-year starter who led the team in scoring as a freshman and sophomore. His offense fell after shooting better than 40 percent on three-pointers in his first two seasons and 34 percent last season. The offensive drop-off, however, could be attributed to Steger's defensive prowess, which lands him the job of stopping the opponent's best perimeter player. "Ryan needs to come out of the junior shooting slump and shoot the ball with more confidence this season," Byrd said. The backcourt duo of 6-2 senior point guard Dougie Webb (10.1 ppg, 5.0 apg) and 6-5 junior shooting guard Jay Lannin (11.2 ppg, .342 3 PT) gives Byrd confidence on the perimeter. "Dougie is not a true point guard, but has developed into one," Byrd said of Webb, a team leader on and off the court. "I like his attitude. He practices very hard and sets a good example. He's scrappy and tough, physically and mentally." As for Lannin, the local product (Franklin HS/Franklin, Tenn.) has excellent range. And a major concern has been answered with the addition of needed strength and size. "Jay has worked as hard or harder than anybody between last year and this year," Byrd said. "He has great range on the three-point shot. I expect a breakout year from him. He needs to be a scorer for us and to become more consistent." Manning the post again is 6-8, 220-pound senior Jeremy Kees (9.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg), a player Byrd said, "You don't notice a lot, but he quietly does his job." There is also capable depth at all positions, including the team's only scholarship newcomer 6-8 redshirt freshman Omari Booker (the nephew of CBS basketball commentator and former Vanderbilt player Barry Booker). A local product with vast potential, Booker, from Nashville's Montgomery Bell Academy, will provide depth at center and power forward. Also providing depth along the front line again are 6-5 senior Davey Upton (6.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and 6-7 senior Jason Lathrem (2.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg), a Kentucky transfer. Michael Couey (4.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg), a 6-6 junior, is a solid reserve who can swing between shooting guard and small forward. Also back is 6-3 senior Jared Karnes (0.8 ppg, 0.4 rpg). Byrd hopes to regain the services of 6-1 junior point guard Tyrus Doss, a former starter who sat out last season after two back surgeries. His status was uncertain even during preseason drills. The Bruins plan to redshirt their only scholarship signee 6-10 freshman center Scotty Blackwell (Tioga HS/Pineville, La.), who averaged 11.5 points and 8.0 rebounds en route to being selected all-district and All-Cenla (Central Louisiana). The Bruins are also gaining the services of two former Nashville prep stars. Transferring from neighboring rival Lipscomb University (which is also beginning a move from NAIA to NCAA Division I) is 6-7 Adam Sonn, who will sit out this season and have three years of eligibility remaining. Also in the fold are two walk-ons: 6-4 freshman guard Wil Howard-Downs (University School/Nashville, Tenn.), who was twice voted Mr. Basketball for the state in Division II; and 5-10 sophomore guard Matt Roberts (Caverna HS/Horse Cave, Ky.).
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