Men's Basketball 2/27/2026 12:00:00 PM

Men’s Basketball Begins Tournament Play Against the Cumberlands

LEBANON, Tenn. -- The Phoenix open the first day of the Mid-South Tournament against the No. 18 Patriots in Bowling Green in the 3-seed vs. 6-seed matchup.

Cumberland (11-16, 3-9 MSC) is coming off of an absolute classic to end the season, which was a 101-93 double overtime thriller against Bethel. That win moved the Phoenix up to the six seed. However, Cumberland dropped their first two match-ups with the Cumberlands, 93-75 in Williamsburg and 66-51 in Lebanon.

This season, Cumberland is averaging 76.3 points per game on 45.1% shooting from the field, 32.4% from three, and 66.9% from the free throw line. Defensively, the Phoenix allow 79.2 points per game on 44.4% shooting from the field, 33.2% from three, and 69.9% from the free throw line. On the glass, the Phoenix average 37.2 rebounds per game (11.7 offensive rebounds) while allowing 37.7 rebounds per game (12.0 offensive rebounds per game). Looking at the ball control, Cumberland distributes 11.7 assists and commit 15.8 turnovers per game, while allowing 14.9 assists and forcing 15.7 turnovers per game.

Individually, the Phoenix are led by a strong backcourt, featuring sophomore guard Triston Conger, averaging 17.6 points per game on 47.2/30.4/79.1 shooting splits, while also distributing 3.7 assists per game and grabbing 5.6 rebounds per game. The Hendersonville native is looking to improve over the Patriots, as Conger was held to five points, five rebounds and three assists in the last matchup. Helping Conger in the backcourt, freshman guard Zaylin Rowland is coming off his best game as a Phoenix, scoring 25 points, getting four rebounds and distributing six assists. The Little Rock, Arkansas native is averaging 10.8 points per game on 46.2/35.4/54.1 shooting splits.

Sophomore guard Nick Brunetti is the third member of this backcourt trio, scoring 9.1 points and shooting 32.6% from three. In the frontcourt, freshman forward Michael Nwoye has become one of the best freshmen in the conference. The Antioch native is averaging 12.4 points on 54.8% shooting, while grabbing a conference leading 8.3 rebounds per game (3.3 offensive rebounds) and blocking 1.5 shots per game, which also leads the conference. In the last game against the Patriots, Nwoye was held to nine points and six rebounds. Riggs Abner (6.3 points), Jordan Jenkins (6.2 points), Jake Hatch (5.1 points) and Jaren Davis (4.8 points) add valuable scoring depth for the Phoenix as Cumberland hit 10 threes for the second time this season when they faced Bethel.

For the Cumberlands (22-6, 7-5 MSC), they slid one spot to No. 18 in the most recent coaches poll, but have won their last three games. The Patriots beat Campbellsville 76-66 and Lindsey Wilson 96-75 to earn the three-seed.

As a team, the Cumberlands score 86.1 points per game on 46.6% shooting from the field, 35.9% from three, and 68.1% from the free throw line. Defensively, the Cumberlands' defense allows 73.6 points per game while shooting 43.0% from the field, 32.8% from three, and 71.7% from the free throw line. On the glass, the Patriots collect 38.2 rebounds per game (12.0 offensive rebounds) and allow 32.5 rebounds per game (8.5 offensive rebounds). Looking at the ball control, the Cumberlands distribute 14.4 assists and commit 10.6 turnovers per game, while allowing 11.8 assists and forcing 12.5 turnovers per game.

Individually for the Patriots, they are led by a strong backcourt trio. Starting with senior guard Kyle Duke, averaging 20.7 points per game on 48.6/43.3/88.7 shooting splits. In the last matchup against Cumberland, Duke scored 19 points and grabbed six rebounds.. Senior guard Andrew McConnell is the second part of this potent Patriots offense, scoring 13.1 points per game on 43.8/39.0/79.4 shooting splits. Finally, redshirt junior guard Brant Smithers is the three-point specialist for this Cumberlands offense, averaging 11.5 points per game while shooting 40.5% from three, and making a conference leading 70 threes this season. In the frontcourt, redshirt junior Javecckio Thomas is the interior force for the Patriots, scoring 11.0 points on 51.4% shooting, grabbing 5.5 rebounds and distributing 2.1 assists per game.

Looking at the history between Cumberland and the Cumberlands, the Patriots lead the series 31-10 advantage, which includes a current eight game winning streak within the series. The Phoenix and Patriots have met in the postseason the last two seasons with the Cumberlands ending CU's year. Cumberland did beat the Cumberlands in the 2022 postseason to advance to the Mid-South Conference semifinals.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 and will be streamed for free on the Urban Edge Network. Jon Boyce being on the radio call on 98.9 WANT FM.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Riggs Abner: G; 6' 6"; Graduate Student

#77 Nick Brunetti: G; 6' 4"; Sophomore

#1 Triston Conger: G; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#2 Jaren Davis: G; 6' 3"; Freshman

#4 Jake Hatch: F; 6' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore

#7 Michael Nwoye: F; 6' 7"; Freshman

#42 Zaylin Rowland: G; 6' 2"; Freshman

#23 Jordan Jenkins: G; 6' 1"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#3 Riggs Abner
: 6' 6"; Graduate Student
: G

#77 Nick Brunetti
: 6' 4"; Sophomore
: G

#1 Triston Conger
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: G

#2 Jaren Davis
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: G

#4 Jake Hatch
: 6' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore
: F

#7 Michael Nwoye
: 6' 7"; Freshman
: F

#42 Zaylin Rowland
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: G

#23 Jordan Jenkins
: 6' 1"; Junior
: G