JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (6-2, 1-1 South Atlantic Conference) closes out the league section of its 2023 schedule with a road trip to the Abney Athletic Center to take on Anderson (5-5, 0-2 SAC) Saturday at 4 p.m.
The Eagles lead the all-time ledger with AU 17-10. Carson-Newman has won six of the last seven meetings between the two teams in the Abney Center and two straight. Anderson snapped a three-game Carson-Newman win streak in the series with an 80-65 decision last year in Holt Fieldhouse, rallying from a 14-point first-half deficit to do so.
"In year two for Jimmie Williams, they are defending at a much better level than they did last year," Carson-Newman head men's basketball coach Chuck Benson said. "They have some quality wins and are just better all the way around. That venue is a tough place to go compete and win. They are trending in the right direction, but I think we are too."
The Carson-Newman - Anderson matchup breeds familiarity. Assistant coach Joe Laravie is in his first year on Jimmie Williams' staff. Laravie spent two years as a graduate assistant coach with the Eagles. Laravie is the first member of Chuck Benson's coaching tree that Benson has had to square off against.
"Joe is a great guy," Benson said. "I told Joe when he got this job, that he needed to do everything in his power to help Jimmie Williams beat us. Does it put a little bit extra on this game? Yeah, cause they are going to have some perspective other teams won't. But our players had a really tight bond with Joe, so it probably means a little bit more to them than it does our staff."
Nick Brenegan has scored in double digits in 14 consecutive games. He is the only Eagle with a double-digit scoring effort in every game this year for C-N. Brenegan is averaging 16.5 points per game in his 18 career starts.
Brenegan's 3.75 made triples per game are the most in the SAC and fourth nationally. He also ranks 18th nationally and tops in the SAC in percentage at 48.4 percent for the season. Brenegan has buried multiple threes in every game this season. He's made a three in 14 straight games dating back to last season.
The quarter of John Zhao, Brenegan, Jack Browder and Trey Hubbard all average more than 14 points per game, with Zhao leading the way at 20.4 points per game - second in the SAC. Carson-Newman is the only school in the league with four players in the top 20 in scoring.
"It's been organic," Benson said. "All four guys spend a ton of time on their craft. All four have got a lot of college experience. Those guys are putting their best foot forward, and we have a team that collectively wants to continue to see them be the best versions of themselves."
Wingate and Limestone both have three players in the top 20 in scoring in the league.
Garrett Denbow is third in the SAC in scoring at 19.5 points per game. The West Liberty transfer has scored in double-figures in everygame this season for the Trojans with the exception of a nine-point outing in game two of the season against Clayton State. Denbow exploded for 38 in game one against Flagler, and had 34 two games ago in an 86-70 rolling of Belmont Abbey.
The contest features the South Atlantic Conference's two best rebounding teams. The Eagles lead the league in boards and rebounding margin (43.5 and 10.5, respectively) and rank in the top 10 nationally in both categories. The Trojans are 32nd nationally with 40.4 boards per game and second in the league with a +3.1 rebounding margin. The Trojans won the rebounding battle last year against C-N.
Tipoff between the Eagles and Trojans is set for 4 p.m. Saturday. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 3:35 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mountain Talk 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
