In the season’s first game, Carson-Newman, coached by Chuck Benson, will face the No. 22 Fort Lewis Skyhawks, a dangerous opponent. This matchup will occur at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic. With a record of 44-23 in the first game of the season and an 8-4 record in the previous 12 lidlifters, the Eagles are anxious to demonstrate their dominance against the best opponents in the league. Nick Brenegan, a senior shooting guard, will be an important player to watch since he just needs four three-pointers to hit the 200-point mark for his career.
Fort Lewis comes into the game with a 32-week run in the rankings, indicating they are now rated 22nd in the NABC Coaches Poll. They had an amazing record of 29-4 from the previous season, which includes a victory in the RMAC Tournament for the second consecutive year and participation in the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament. Throughout the previous season, the Skyhawks’ defense was so effective that it allowed opponents to score just 62.7 points per game.
Even though Carson-Newman has a solid record at the start of the season, and Brenegan may reach a significant milestone, Fort Lewis is the favourite because of its steady performance and defensive brilliance. It is anticipated that the final score will be something in the neighbourhood of 75-65 in favour of the Skyhawks, and the wager is placed on Fort Lewis to cover the spread.