JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (16-4, 9-3 South Atlantic Conference) wraps up a three-game stretch against three of the top five teams in the SAC standings when it visits Catawba (11-4, 8-3 SAC) for a 4 p.m. tip Saturday in Goodman Gym.
The Eagles have collected three straight wins, including back-to-back victories over Coker and Lincoln Memorial, who sat fourth and first in the league standings, respectively, when C-N played the pair.
Now the Eagles take on Catawba, who sits a half game back of C-N and LMU, who are tied for second in the SAC standings.
"We have a veteran crew," head men's basketball coach Chuck Benson said. "The LMU game is a good win. But we know we have to build on it with a tough game at Catawba ahead."
The Indians, who lead the league in offensive rebounds, blocks, steals and turnover margin, have thrived on creating chaos. Catawba has won three straight and four of their last five after dropping back-to-back decisions to Wingate and Lincoln Memorial.
Nick Brenegan's 4.47 made triples per game are the most in the country. He has buried 85 this season. also first nationally among all divisions by pure volume. If he were to maintain this pace, he would break Ish Sanders' single-season record of 99 and become the first Eagle with triple-digit threes in a seaosn. There have been 11 triple-digit three-point seasons in SAC history. He also ranks third nationally and second in the SAC in percentage at 51.5 percent for the season.
Brenegan has made more threes this season than 17 teams in NCAA Division II. His 85 threes are already the fifth most in a single-season in Carson-Newman basketball history. One three will draw him even with fourth-place Calvin Owen (86 in 2001-02), while three will bring him level with Malik Abraham for second. Abraham hit 88 in both 2017-18 and 2018-19.
Since scoring eight points in a loss to Wingate, John Zhao has been on another level. He's produced 30-point nights in two of his last three contests and has scored at least 25 in three straight. In the Eagles' last three contests, Zhao is averaging 32.33 points per game in that stretch with an absurd 75.0/68.4/85.7 slash line. He is 33-of-44 from the field and 13-of-19 from three in that stretch. Zhao leads the nation in three-point efficiency.
Brenegan, John Zhao, Jack Browder and Trey Hubbard account for a third of the top 12 in the SAC in scoring. The quartet combines to average 74.2 points per game. They average more points per game than 90 NCAA Division II schools do as a team. There are 11 NCAA Division II institutions with two players averaging 17 points per game. The Eagles are the only one with three.
Carson-Newman has been on another level offensively at home. C-N has topped triple digits in seven of its nine home games. The Eagles average 103.4 points at home, while shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 45.3 percent from three. Those numbers fall to a strong, but nowhere near as insane levels on the road. C-N averages 82.0 points per game in true road games with 47.5 percent shooting from the field and 43.8 percent from three.
This iteration of the Eagles has the most 100-point performances since moving to NCAA Division II with 10. There have been just five seasons in Carson-Newman men's basketball history with double-digit 100-point games in a season. The last was in 1987-88 when a fourth straight Chris Jones-coached team accomplished it with 11. The 1970-71 team holds the record with 12 such games.
Carson-Newman leads the country in rebounding margin, averaging an 11.2 rebound advantage per game. Carson-Newman has outrebounded 15 of 20 opponents this year by double digits. Tusculum is the only team this season to outrebound Carson-Newman. C-N has outrebounded four teams this year by 20 or more. Eight teams this season have grabbed six or fewer offensive rebounds against the Eagles. Catawba is the SAC's best offensive rebounding team.
Tipoff between the Eagles and Indians is set for 4 p.m. Saturday. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 3:45 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mountain Talk 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
