Getty Images JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Seth Adelsperger #50 of the Belmont Bruins makes the slam dunk against the Maryland Terrapins in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at VyStar Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on March 21, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
The college basketball season finally returns on Monday after seven months and hoops can rejoice. One of the more interesting mid-major opening night matchups will see the Ohio Bobcats travel to Nashville and take on the Belmont Bruins.
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The game (7:30 p.m. ET start time) won’t be on a regular TV channel anywhere, but everyone in the US can watch Ohio vs Belmont live on ESPN+ right here:
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Once signed up for ESPN+, you can watch Ohio vs Belmont live on the ESPN app or ESPN.com.
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Ohio vs Belmont Preview
This is a matchup of mid-major programs that have strong traditions and could produce a really good game. Ohio is coming off of a 25-10 season that saw them go 14-6 in conference play.
Belmont also had a strong season as they finished 25-8 overall and 15-3 in conference play. Ohio lost a lot from last season’s team as their top two players, Mark Sears and Ben Vander Plas transferred to power five programs.
The loss of both is a big void to fill as Sears averaged 19.6 points, 6.0 reb, and 4.1 assists per game last season. Vander Plas put in 14.3 points and grabbed 6.8 rebounds per game.
The Bobcats also lost Jason Carter to graduation and his 10.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. That doesn’t mean the cupboard is completely bare though as Ohio does bring back Miles Brown and Ben Roderick who both contributed last season.
Brown averaged 6.9 points and 2.5 rebounds, while Roderick chipped in 6.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. The Bobcats also added a couple of transfers that should be able to contribute.
They landed ODU transfer Jaylin Hunter, who averaged 9.7 points and 4.0 assists per game last season. They also added some needed size in Lousiville transfer Gabe Wiznitzer.
Belmont on the other hand brings back their top player from last season, Ben Sheppard. The senior averaged 16.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game last season while also shooting 37.1% from three.
However, after Sheppard, there is some drop-off for the Bruins. The team lost the rest of their key contributors from last season to either transfer or graduation.
Belmont was able to land a couple of transfers that should be able to make an impact. The team added Tennessee Tech transfer Keishawn Davidson, who averaged 10.4 points and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 40.5% from three.
They also added Drew Friberg from Princeton and his 9.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Beyond that, the Bruins will need players that will have increased roles like E.J. Bellinger who only played 6.1 minutes per game last season and averaged 3.0 points per game.
Both teams have a lot of changes and new pieces on their rosters this season but these are two teams that have a proven track record. It should be a good opening night matchup for both teams.