VIDEO: Nick Brenegan Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the second part in a two-part series chronicling Carson-Newman's men's basketball's positions for the 2023-24 season. This preview breaks down the Eagles' guards with help from Nick Brenegan.
Carson-Newman graduates one of three players in program history to start 100 games from its backcourt. Luke Brenegan exits stage right as a 1,000-point scorer. However, the backcourt is still loaded with veteran status, with Nick Brenegan playing without his brother for the first time collegiately.
"It was great playing with Luke for three years," the younger Brenegan said. "He was a coach on the floor, now he's an ear on the sideline. He will give us feedback and I know it will be huge having him on the bench for us this year."
Nick Brenegan was injured for the early portions of the season, but turned it on in the back off of his redshirt-sophomore campaign. The Greenville, S.C.-native scored in double-digits in a career-best seven consecutive games to close the regular season. He averaged 8.3 points per game on 46.6 percent shooting from the field, 40.6 percent shooting from the three and 84.6 percent shooting from the stripe. He had a career-best 23-point effort at Wingate on Feb. 18. Brenegan started the final six games of the season. As a starter, he averaged 16.83 points per game on a 49.2/48.3/85.7 slash line. He averaged 2.5 made threes per game in that stretch.
"I went through every up and down last year," Brenegan said. "A lot of confidence was built from that knowing that I can handle adversity. I took that into the offseason and kept that moving forward."
Joining him in the backcourt will be Queens transfer Trey Hubbard. Kenny Dye's understudy at point guard the last two years for the Royals, Hubbard was a pivotal player off the bench for the Royals in first season averaging 13.2 minutes per game across all 34 games. He scored 5.3 points per game, grabbed 1.6 rebounds per game, and kicked out the second most assists on the team with 66. He posted a highlight performance in the season opening victory over Young Harris pouring in 20 points, dishing out eight assists, and swiping six steals. The six steals tied Daniel Carr for the most in a single game in program history
"He is a jet," Brenegan said. "I think he's the fastest guy in this region. He will change our transition offense. Defensively, he should be top five in the league in steals and a contender for defensive player of the year."
Thanks to CoVID, Carson-Newman can count on sixth-year players Caleb Bridewater and Jarius Satterfield.
"They can keep us steady and consistent," Brenegan said. "They've been through so much basketball, they know how to respond. We have some youth in the lockerroom and Bridge and Jarius bring some maturity to what college basketball really is."
Bridgewater had breakout performances in his red-shirt junior year. He appeared in 24 games and started in five. The Charlotte, N.C.-native averaged a career-best 5.8 points per game on 47.3 percent shooting from the field and 43.1 percent shooting from three. He converted on 31-of-72 attempts from beyond the arc. Bridgewater also chipped in 1.9 rebounds per game. He led Carson-Newman in scoring twice, including a career-high outburst against Tennessee Wesleyan (Dec. 19). The junior erupted for 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field. He was 8-of-12 from deep. The eight made threes are tied for the fifth-most in a game in program history.
"We have so much experience and that should give us the confidence to perform," Brenegan said. "We've had every type of scenario from winning a championship to struggling through a losing streak. We know how to move forward and respond to everything."
The Eagles also return starting experience at the small forward position with Ren Dyer and Jack Browder.
Dyer wrapped up his redshirt-sophomore season as one of two players on the roster to start and appear in all 28 games for the Eagles. Dyer averaged 10.6 points per game and 6.3 boards per game with a quintet of double-doubles. He finished the year shooting 39.8 percent from the field and 38.8 perent from three. He canned 83-of-103 free throws on the season to shoot a career-best 80.6 percent from the line. He topped 20 points on three occasions.
"Junkyard Jack and The Standard Ren," Brenegan said. "They are two huge pieces. Both of them are elite rebounders and glue guys. You love playing with them and having them on the floor with what they bring to the table."
Browder made an instant impact as a freshman for Carson-Newman. The Dobyns-Bennett product appeared in 25 games with a start on the road against Lincoln Memorial (Jan. 7). The freshman averaged 6.8 points per game while knocking down 46.2 percent of his shots and 33.9 percent of his threes. He was 69.8 percent from the line. Browder averaged 3.1 boards per game. He finished the year with six double-digit scoring efforts and seven games where he had at least five boards. His top contest came in the penultimate game of the regular season against Emory & Henry (Feb. 22). Browder eviscerated the Wasps to the tune of 25 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. He also canned all five of his free throws.
Carson-Newman can also count on red-shirt freshman Jayme Peay, as well as Clayton State transfer Bryce Weinmunson and true freshman Matt Bilbrey.
Peay earned all-tournament team honors twice while helping Providence Academy to an NCSAA Division 3 championship as a senior. In two years with the program, he averaged 14.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, scoring 676 points as a junior and senior.
Weinmunson played in 27 games for the Lakers and made eight starts. He logged 493 minutes (18.3 minutes a game) while scoring 90 points, grabbing 39 rebounds, making 12 three-pointers, dishing out 48 assists, stealing 25 passes and rejecting five shots. He had a pair of double-digit scoring efforts including a career-high 11 against nationally-ranked Augusta. He shot 41 percent from the three-point line.
Bilbrey played basketball at Stone Memorial High School for coach Neil Capps. In his senior year, he became a member of the 1,000 point club and averaged 18.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. He shot 49.6 perent from beyond the arc and 55.6 percent from the field. Bilbrey was named the District 7 AAA MVP for the 2022-2023 season and earned numerous other accolades, including All-Region Tournament Team and All-District Tournament Team honors.
Carson-Newman opens the season Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m. against Lees-McRae in the SAC/Conference Carolinas Challenge at the Prior Center in Wise, Va.
