VIDEO: Chuck Benson interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head men's basketball coach Chuck Benson unveiled the Eagles' 2014-15 schedule, which features a Final Four participant and three other teams who have made the NCAA tournament within two years.

"First of all we knew that we we're starting a new book with our program (because of the graduation of all-time greats Antoine Davis and Ish Sanders)," Benson said. "We wanted to challenge our young team early and often. So we went out and put together the toughest schedule on paper for our team in my time here as head coach."

C-N will welcome Final Four-participant USC Aiken to Holt Fieldhouse Nov. 29.  The Eagles will also meet Anderson and LMU twice during South Atlantic Conference play a year removed from both teams making the NCAA tournament. 

"USC Aiken has been as productive as anyone else in this region on a national stage," Benson said. "We hope to give our kids a quick dose of what it's like to play among the best of the best in Division II competition right out of the gate."

The Eagles open up the year at the 45-Second Classic in Wilson, N.C., on Nov. 14 against tournament host Barton and Mount Olive.  The Bulldogs are two years removed from an Elite Eight appearance.  The Eagles throttled Barton last year in Holt Fieldhouse last season 97-69. 

Benson's Bunch turns around the next day to face off with Mount Olive at 2 p.m.

C-N then opens up its 22-game conference schedule on Nov. 19 with a road game at Tusculum.  C-N and TC split the season series last year, with the Eagles winning at Mossy Creek and the Pioneers coming up victorious in Greeneville. 

"Once we start practice, we'll be as aggressive as they've ever been in going five on five frequently to get us ready for those road games," Benson said. "We've scheduled some scrimmages away from Holt Fieldhouse to help gear us up for that road trip right off the bat."

Coker pays a visit to Holt Fieldhouse on Nov. 22 to open up the gym for the year and home conference play. 

"Coker broke our hearts last year in the SAC tournament," Benson said. "Getting to play them here in our first conference schedule will no doubt be added motivation for some of our guys."

A week later, USC Aiken comes to town as the Eagles step out of conference play with a game against the Pacers and a road nonconference contest to open up December on the second at Clayton State.  Clayton State is a three-time champion of the Peach Belt and made the NCAA tournament in back-to-back seasons from 2007-2008.

The Eagles wrap up nonconference play against Tennessee Wesleyan at home on Dec. 13 and on the road Johnson C. Smith on Dec. 17. 

"We really hope this nonconference schedule keeps us in line with our processes," Benson said. "We'll be doing more teaching with daily hands on work to get our guys to understand that they have to have poise and self-discipline to handle any adversity that is thrown our way.  We still have to work toward a postseason where we are more focused toward processes than outcomes."

A two-week break for Christmas has the Eagles jumping back into conference play to start 2015 on Jan. 3 at home against Wingate.

Senior day is set for Feb. 28 against Newberry.

All Carson-Newman men's basketball games during the 2014-15 season can be heard on the Eagle Sports Network on Mountain Country 106.3 9 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.