Adam Barnes scored 12 points off the bench against ETSU and had 5 boards in a game where the Bruins needed a bounce-back win after a tough loss against USC-Upstate a few days before.  Barnes went 5-6 in only 16 minutes of playing time, injecting life into the guard play that Belmont had been lacking lately.

Ian Clark and Kerron Johnson scored 14 and 12 points, respectively, but perhaps the biggest story is how Blake Jenkins tied Mick Hedgepeth for rebounds at 7.  With Jenkins’ play stepping up and him getting the start, i’m hoping some gained confidence will help in the small forward position going from here on out.

Previewing the Jacksonville Dolphins

Jacksonville comes practically limping to the Curb Event Center Saturday to play the Bruins with a cumulative 4-16 record, but we all know that this Belmont team is certainly not in any position to overlook  opponents, as one of Jacksonville’s wins this season was against USC-Upstate.

Jacksonville’s greatest weakness is their Field Goal Percentage (FGP), ranking 285th in the NCAA at .409.  Facing 49th ranked in FGP Belmont, the Bruins needs to put this game away immediately by making shots in the paint and on the perimeter.  But before we go any farther, let’s take a look at the Dolphins.

The Boys

Glenn Powell, 6-5 Junior Center, is the Dolphins’ leading scorer, averaging 11 points per game and 7 boards.  He’s had four double-doubles this year, and while his size may be questionable, he has shown that he can rebound and put points up in their losses.

Delwan Graham, 6-7 Senior Forward, averages about the same as Powell a game, 7 boards and 10.5 points, showing the Dolphins’ strength is under the basket.

My Three Wishes

1.  Hedgepeth/Saunders dominate under the basket (Double-doubles all around).

(Just because we can shoot better, doesn’t mean we only try that strategy here)

2.  Kerron Johnson gets 18 points.

(We can shoot better, and it will show)

3.  Jenkins gets 25 minutes of play time, makes 5-8 attempts with 8 boards, gaining confidence.

(Just because John Jenkins plays down the road doesn’t mean there isn’t another Jenkins ready to fill an important gap in a Nashville offense)

-bMm

Belmont plays at the Curb Event Center Saturday night.  Tip-off is at 7:15.