JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (2-2) gets together with No. 5 Lincoln Memorial (3-1) to do battle in one of the oldest rivalry games in the state of Tennessee for the 200th time Tuesday at 8 p.m. at LMU's Tex Turner Arena.
The margin between the two schools is a razor's edge. C-N leads the all-time series 100-99.
"This is always a big game on the schedule and our kids understand that in the sense of the rivalry," head coach Chuck Benson said. "But that being said, our preparation, planning and processes don't really change at all because our focuses have to be on us to learn what this 2015-16 team is about. I like where we're sitting; we just have to go perform at a high level."
Carson-Newman took two of three from LMU last season, although on aggregate the teams were even. C-N won in Harrogate and snapped a 22-game win streak for the Railsplitters 87-72. LMU responded by handing C-N its worst defeat in Holt Fieldhouse 91-61. Then the Eagles took the SAC tournament title 63-48 holding the Railsplitters to a SAC title game record low of 48 points while outrebounding them by 20, the second largest rebounding margin in SAC title game history.
The combo of Charles Clark (Mufreesboro, Tenn.) Carson Brooks (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Sawyer Williams (Owenton, Ky.) willed the Eagles to victory in last season's 15-point win in Tex Turner Arena, combining for 64 of Carson-Newman's 87 points. Clark had 30 points, Brooks posted 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Williams contributed 14 points and seven boards.
In the SAC title game, Williams, Brooks and Josh Rogers (Bristol, United Kingdom) all had at least 10 boards while Clark trailed with nine rebounds.
However, when the Railsplitters blew out C-N in Holt, Brooks, William and Clark were limited to a combined 27 points. Meanwhile Luquon Choice went off for 34 points.
"Both teams are averaging 80 points a game," Benson said. "This could be one of the higher scoring affairs in the series because they've got versatility and a lot of players who can score the ball. Jalen Steele should be considered one of the more capable players in this conference."
The Railsplitters have featured a balanced offense this year that sees seven players all average at least nine points per game. Sophomore forward Emmanuel Terry leads that group with 13.5 points while Mississippi State transfer Jalen Steele adds 13 a game.
The senior shooting guard is coming off a season-high 18 point performance in LMU's win over Hiwassee. Steele was on the floor all of 16 minutes and connected on 6-of-9 field goal attempts and 4-of-5 threes.
"This seems like the first time they are more of a perimeter dominant team rather than a post dominant team," Benson said. "They have exceptional players in both areas, but this particular season – and again its early – they seem to be more reliant on their perimeter players to create and it's a different feel from what they've done in years past with great post players in Jake Troyli, Vinny Bailey and Keenan Peterson."
Carson-Newman snapped its two-game losing streak Saturday with an eight-point win over USC Aiken. The Eagles turned it over a season low 11 times, a trend Benson looks to continue Tuesday night.
"We've started taking care of the basketball," Benson said. "That was an obvious change from Smith to USC Aiken. We cut the turnovers way down and still maintained good offensive production and very efficient play. We need to do that to give ourselves a chance against the Railsplitters."
Brooks sits six points away from his 1,000th career point. The senior forward can become the 22nd Eagle to hit that mark if he hits it.
Tipoff for the Eagles and Railsplitters Tuesday is set for 8 p.m. at Tex Turner Arena. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 7:45 on the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mountain Country 106.3 (WPFT-FM Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
