Belmont Bruins NCAA Basketball News

“Any and every success that our basketball program has enjoyed, credit must begin with Rick Byrd”

Byrd, who with 541 career victories is one of 15 active Division-I men's basketball coaches with 500 or more career victories, was named 2008 Atlantic Sun Conference Coach of the Year. via The Tennessean

Belmont coach Rick Byrd agreed to a five-year contract extension to stay with the school he has led into three straight NCAA tournaments. via Fox Sports

“I think Belmont would have given most anybody in the country trouble the way they played tonight. Moving without the basketball and playing together, Belmont played the game of basketball very, very well tonight.”

FGCU Page: A-Sun happy with Belmont pushing Duke to brink By DANA CALDWELL 12:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 2, 2008 ESTERO - As this weekend's Final Four approaches, Atlantic Sun Conference coaches and officials ... via Naples Daily News

“We played against a team that played an amazing game”

Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Sports The upstart Belmont Bruins had never won an NCAA tournament game coming into the 2008 tournament. via The Battalion

When I looked at my TV listings for last night, my original thought was, "March Moronitude." Here we had Michael Beasley going up against O.J. Mayo in a meeting of two of the top five pro prospects in college ... via New York Sun

“I joke that she was one of my students”

Minnie Pearl was known for her homespun humor, shrill "How-DEE!" and flowered straw hat with a dangling $1.98 price tag. via New York Times

National bonding is rare in American sports. We break into groups to root for our favorite pro and college teams, and this factional fandom means our games are zero-sum - when my guys win, somebody else's guys ... via Slate

“We played against a team that played an amazing game. They're very good. I mean, they're just -- we were ready to play. You wouldn't hear any of our players say that we overlooked them; there's no way.”

With less than six minutes left, a good portion of press row began Googling the words 'Belmont University.' They weren't trying to make sure a player's name was spelled right or find a three-point statistic; they wanted to know where this team rattling Mike Krzyzewski's cage was from. When someone inquired whom the Bruins' best player was, the reply came, 'Secretariat?'

Shame on us cynics, no? We had no right to dismiss such a quality team, a program that showed it had just as much right to play in the second round of the NCAA tournament as determined and fortunate Duke. Read more

“You have a better chance of playing like you normally play if you're comfortable”

Next up on the Belmont Bruins' tour of top college basketball programs: Duke. Each of the previous two years, Belmont's prize for winning the Atlantic Sun Conference championship and a trip to the NCAA ... via HendersonvilleNews.com

“But medicine is my future. I see myself moving on and pursuing a career in the healthcare field.”

A word of warning to those who plan on playing pickup basketball in the gym at Lincoln Memorial University next school year: There's a ringer headed your way. via The Tennessean

“We've played two historic programs already so far so I think that will give us a little experience and give our coaching staff help in preparing to play that game”

Many teams would be scared to face No. 2 seed Duke in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. via The Knoxville News-Sentinel

“How does the selection committee look at that?”

Belmont is no longer a newcomer to the NCAA Tournament, but that doesn't mean the selection committee will treat the Bruins any differently. via The Tennessean

NASHVILLE - Belmont coach Rick Byrd put a sign outside his team's locker room at the beginning of the season that read "Make History." The Bruins earned their place in the record books Saturday night. via DNJ.com

“I don't understand people who say they are frustrated by having to play two good teams in the first two rounds,'”

Lipscomb's men's basketball team finished the regular season hungry, but the Bisons like the potential menu being served up in the Atlantic Sun Tournament. via The Tennessean

The Atlantic Sun Conference championship game pits the top-seeded Belmont Bruins against the second-seeded Jacksonville Dolphins with a trip to the NCAA Tournament on the line. via Sports Network

“Any time you can create momentum and put them in a place where they have to scrape and claw, it puts us at an advantage.”

In 10 previous matchups in Tennessee, Belmont's men's basketball team had never lost to Campbell. via The Tennessean

A preseason development could help Belmont's men make a run in the postseason. A playing tour in London and France in August helped the Bruins develop depth. via The Tennessean

“I think we're in (the national tournament) with this win,'”

NAIA No. 19 Trevecca rallied for a 55-51 win over Cumberland on Saturday before a capacity crowd at Moore Gym to earn the No. via The Tennessean

After giving Belmont the lead, Wicke then sank two free throws to secure the victory. via Fox Sports

“This is one of the greatest honors in the history of our basketball program”

University of Texas sophomore point guard D.J. Augustin has been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America University Division Men's Basketball First Team, the College Sports Information Directors of ... via Big 12 Conference