VIDEO: Chuck Benson Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (10-17, 7-14 South Atlantic Conference) will pay homage to Reece Anderson (Douglasville, Ga.), the Eagles' lone senior, when it wraps up the 2019-20 season with a matchup with Newberry (13-14, 9-12 SAC) Saturday at 4 p.m. inside Holt Fieldhouse.
The Eagles will recognize Reece Anderson on senior day, the lone four-year player and senior with the men's basketball program. Anderson has tallied 574 points in his Carson-Newman career with a career high 23 plunked down against Mars Hill his junior year and earlier in his senior season against Coker.
"Reece graduates in May and we're very proud of that," Carson-Newman head men's basketball coach Chuck Benson said. "He'll go off into the adult world and more than hold his own. During his four years he's been a part of a lot of success and been able to play in the NCAA tournament. This year in a difficult season, he has demonstrated leadership and been a voice of encouragement in helping us try to be successful on the court."
Anderson has one of two double-doubles for points and assists for Carson-Newman in the last 13 seasons. He ranks in the top 20 all-time in Carson-Newman basketball history in minutes played and assists with 229. He is tied for ninth for a single-game in school history for most free throws made, knocking down 13 at Mars Hill on Dec. 19, 2018.
Carson-Newman's defense has picked up since switching to a zone defense on Feb. 1 against Anderson. While the Eagles are 3-5 in that span, they've limited all but one of their last eight foes to 80 points or less. Since the switch, Eagle opponents are averaging 71.3 points per game, while shooting 38.7 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from three. All of those totals are well below the Eagles' season averages.
Carson-Newman will be trying to prevent Newberry from sweeping the season series for the first time since 2011-12. Carson-Newman has won 17 of the last 20 meeting since being swept nine years ago.
"Someone's going to win a national title, but we have a chance to go out on a win just like a national champion," Benson said. "Our guys know this is senior day and they want to honor Reece with a win. We definitely want to finish with an exclamation point."
While Carson-Newman has been eliminated from postseason contention, Newberry is very much battling for the final spot in the league standings. The Eagles spoiled the Wolves senior day last year, but had already wrapped up the final spot in the league tournament. For the Wolves, if they win, they're in. A loss for Newberry could still get them in as long as Wingate lost to Tusculum on the road. Even if the Wolves lose and the Bulldogs win, Newberry could still find itself with a first-round game at Lincoln Memorial in the SAC tournament if Catawba beats Lenoir-Rhyne and secures the third seed in the league tournament. Based on the league tiebreakers, the Wolves will be in as long as Catawba is a higher seed than Tusculum in the league standings.
"Our guys have stayed locked in on trying to improve," Benson said. "It says a lot about their character and how they've been raised. It's been a good season for growth both players and staff, and we'll be better from it."
Newberry has a familiar foe on the sidelines after former head coach Dave Davis left to take an assistant's job at Winthrop. Former Anderson head coach Jason Taylor returns after a four-year absense from the conference after he spent nearly half a decade as an assistant at Tennessee Tech. Taylor coached Anderson to two Sweet 16s and an Elite Eight. Chuck Benson has a 6-7 record against Taylor as a head coach.
Tipoff between the Eagles and Wolves is set for 4 p.m. Saturday. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network starts 15 minutes prior to gametime with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on The Mountain 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
