Belmont Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for the Bruins

JACKSONVILLE, FL - MARCH 21: Nick Muszynski #33 of the Belmont Bruins tries to get around Jalen Smith #25 of the Maryland Terrapins during the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on March 21, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

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LSU Tigers Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Non-conference schedule outlook for Belmont

Casey Alexander has built a schedule worthy of a team poised for success. Belmont will be challenged by at least five teams in last season’s N.E.T. top 100 and two more in the top 150. The Bruins’ own N.E.T. of 92 means they are squarely competing with several teams on their 2021-22 schedule.

Two of their first three games are with mid-major challengers Ohio (88) and Furman (80). Game five finds them at Southeastern Conference power LSU (25) and then they head to Kissimmee, Florida, for the ESPN Events Invitational.

The Bruins open with Drake (43) and then face either Alabama (8) or Iona (141). A third game with a quality opponent remains after that second contest.

Belmont’s schedule is ripe with opportunities.

Saint Louis (52) and Chattanooga (137) are part of the final non-conference portion of the Bruin schedule. Ohio, LSU, and Saint Louis are all on the road. Clearly, Belmont has numerous chances to impress and create a solid N.E.T. resume.

Last season’s covid-affected schedule did not afford these types of opportunities and Belmont’s loss to four-win Samford didn’t help their ‘at large bid’ chances.

Belmont opens in Athens, Ohio on November 9.