Monday, October 16, 2006

Ten Days of A-Sun Basketball tips off with a closer look at the Belmont Bruins. The defending tournament champions reached the NCAA Touranment for the first time last year and top the league's preseason polls and are led by preseason All-Atlantic Sun choices Boomer Herndon and Justin Hare.

Coach Rick Byrd on the Bruins

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SEASON PREVIEW - (Courtesy Belmont Media Relations)

It was Peter Parker's Uncle Ben who uttered the phrase, "With great power, comes great responsibility." And much like Spiderman himself, the Belmont Bruins sprung onto the scene in 2006 to claim their first-ever Atlantic Sun Championship and resulting trip to the NCAA Tournament. However, with great achievement (20 wins, regular season and tournament titles, and a second post-season berth in three years) comes greater pressure ... and even greater expectations. Nevertheless, with a nice blend of seasoned returnees and talented newcomers, Belmont is poised for an encore performance. "Last year's success was a result of a different set of players and this year's team has accomplished nothing to this point," Head Coach Rick Byrd said recently. "Anyone who is concerned about the pressure that comes with the expectations of others is not focused on what is important."

Belmont's backcourt must carry on without one of the most dynamic and productive players in school history, Brian Collins. The Nashville native graduated with 1, 199 career points, 489 rebounds, and 452 assists. But the leadership and swagger void left by Collins should be filled capably by senior Josh Goodwin. The sharpshooter from nearby Pegram, Tenn., who actually roomed with Collins for much of his career, ranked among the Atlantic Sun's leaders in three-point field goal percentage (.456) and free throw percentage (.825). Goodwin scored in double figures 20 times in 2005-06, and had 13 games with three or more three-pointers. Moreover, his toughness and consistency will set an example from the first day of practice.

"As a fifth year senior, Josh has been around for the turn of fortunes for Belmont in Division I basketball and has been one of the big reasons for that," Byrd said of talented left-hander.

Teaming up with Goodwin will be the reigning Atlantic Sun Tournament MVP, Justin Hare. The junior from Cleveland, Tennessee was virtually unstoppable in registering a career-high 32 points in the Bruins' title win over Lipscomb. Hare led the team in scoring (15.6 ppg) and free throws made (103) in 2005-06 en route to Second Team All-Atlantic Sun honors. His combination of strength, quickness, and shot variety makes him a difficult cover anywhere on the court. Furthermore, Hare's superior ball handling and passing ability could mean extended time running the offense as well.

"A good three point shooter in past years, Justin continues to improve his ability to score behind the arc to go with his outstanding ability to drive it and finish in the lane," Byrd said. "Our coaching staff looks for Justin to be a leader for this season's team."

Read the full season preview

10 Days of A-Sun Basketball Schedule
Oct. 16 - Belmont
Oct. 17 - Campbell
Oct. 18 - ETSU
Oct. 19 - Gardner-Webb
Oct. 20 - Jacksonville
Oct. 23 - Kennesaw State
Oct. 24 - Lipscomb
Oct. 25 - Mercer
Oct. 26 - UNF
Oct. 27 - Stetson