Battle For Nashville: Vanderbilt To Host Belmont In NIT Opener

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Pictured (L-R): Nick Muszynski and Scotty Pippen Jr.

For the first time in five years, Belmont and Vanderbilt will play each other at Memorial Gym on Tuesday, March 15 after both teams were selected in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

This will be the first time the two programs will play each other since 2017 when the Bruins beat the Commodores 69-60 at the Curb Event Center.

“We are excited about the opportunity to continue our season in the NIT,” says Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse. “Our players have competed at a high level throughout the season and we are thankful that the selection committee has extended an invitation to our program. We are looking forward to more games together on the court starting Tuesday in Memorial.”

Vanderbilt finished its season extremely strong with wins against Georgia and Florida in the SEC Tournament. The ‘Dores lost in the quarterfinals to Kentucky in a nail-biter with a final score of 77-71.

Junior All-Conference player Scotty Pippen Jr. has been the star of Vanderbilt’s season. Throughout his college career, he has scored 1,507 points and is 14th on Vanderbilt’s all-time scoring list. This season Pippen Jr. averaged 20.2 ppg, assisted 142 buckets and shot for 42% in the field.

Belmont had another successful season, winning 25 games with a OVC record of 15-3. Belmont struggled a bit this year, failing to hold its own against nationally ranked Murray State who blew out the Bruins in both of their meetings. Belmont ended its season losing to Morehead State in the OVC Tournament semifinals 53-51.

The Bruins were led by four graduate students, including Nick Muszynski and Grayson Murphy. Junior Ben Sheppard had a breakout year, averaging 16.4 and shot 38% from the 3-point line. Muszynski also had a good year offensively, averaging 15.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg and blocking 51 shots.

Vanderbilt currently holds a 4-0 record when playing Belmont at home. The Commodores are the No. 4 seed and will host Belmont on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN2.

Steven Boero
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