Blake Mellinger previewed Carson-Newman in his weekly interview, found here.Â
TIP-OFF TIDBITS
- Benson and his Carson-Newman Eagles host UVA Wise on Saturday, Dec. 9 after taking down the Limestone Saints by 18 on Wednesday, Dec. 7. In the win, four Carson-Newman players hit double-digit scoring as Ben Beeker dropped 10, Luke Brenagan with 12, Bryant Thomas added 13, and Monty Johal led with 15. The Eagles held the Saints to a 35.1-percent from the field and whipped up a total 41 rebounds against their opponents' 27.
- Carson-Newman and UVA Wise have a long line of history together. UVA Wise Head Coach Blake Mellinger's grandfather, Arnold Mellinger, has the only retired Carson-Newman men's basketball jersey after an illustrious 1954-1957 Eagle career. According to Carson-Newman archives, A. Mellinger snagged 1, 826 career points.
- This will be the 17th meeting between the Cavaliers and the Eagles. The Cavaliers have yet defeat Carson-Newman.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bryant Thomas: The senior forward leads Carson-Newman in scoring with 14.9 points per game and was named SAC Player of the Week on Nov. 14 after averaging 24 points, seven rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks.
Ren Dyer: The sophomore guard leads the Eagles with 9.6 rebounds per game, and puts up 13.0 points per game (ranks second on Carson-Newman roster)
UVA WISE NEWS & NOTES
The Cavaliers went to battle against Tusculum on Wednesday, Dec. 7 but the Pioneers the final strike and took a 64-61 win. Team leading scorer Brad Dean was held to 1-6 from the arc and 2-12 from the field, but Ben Bryson came in relief dropping four-three-pointers in the matchup. The Cavs held Tusculum to only two-of-21 from three, the lowest three-point showing from a conference game this season.
CAVS RECEIVING VOTES IN THE POLLS
UVA Wise enters their third week receiving votes in the D2SIDA Southeast Region Rankings. In the poll, Lincoln Memorial ranks at the top with an 8-1 record, followed by Tusculum in the six-spot, Newberry in the nine-hole, and Wingate rounding out the top 10. UVA Wise snagged five votes and Carson-Newman received two.
