Benkert looks forward to conference tournament

<p><strong>B</strong>elmont basketball player Michael Benkert knew that if he wanted to play more minutes, he had to make defense his top priority.</p><p>The backup junior guard who is now all about preventing points knows his biggest challenge could be coming in a matter of days.</p><p>A potential Belmont-Murray State matchup at the Ohio Valley Conference tournament at the Ford Center in Evansville could mean occasionally defending Racers guard Ja Morant, a 6-foot-4 human highlight reel projected to be drafted either second or third in June’s NBA draft.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]<p>Benkert, who averages 21 minutes of playing time per game, said his knowledge of the Bruins’ system as an upperclassman has benefitted both him and his team. He averaged 6.3 minutes last season and six as a redshirt freshman the 2016-17 season.</p><p>“I feel like my role has grown with my age and knowing what our team needs,” Benkert said. “Last year is when it really started to kick in. It was something I brought on myself. I knew I had to be that way to get on the floor.”</p><p>Belmont won at Murray State, 79-66, during the regular season. Morant finished with 20 points, four rebounds and nine assists.</p><p>Benkert, who played eight minutes in the victory, would figure to play a bigger role should there be a rematch. He’s averaging 26.7 minutes of court time in the Bruins’ last seven games.</p><p>“I guarded him for a little bit, but Kevin McClain, one of our senior captains, was the main one guarding him,” Benkert said. “Once (Morant) passes the ball, it’s trying to make it as difficult as you can for him to get the ball back.</p><p>“Guarding a player of his caliber is something I would look forward to. Being a basketball player, that’s what you look forward to, getting a chance to guard one of the best players in college basketball.”</p><p>The OVC tourney runs from Wednesday through Saturday. Benkert, one of four Indiana players on the Belmont roster, hopes the return home nets a guaranteed calling of the Bruins’ name on Selection Sunday.</p><p>“It’s going to be amazing, especially for a chance to be in the Big Dance,” Benkert said.</p><p>Top-seeded Belmont (25-4) takes a 13-game win streak into the OVC tournament. The Bruins have made either the NCAA or NIT tournament 12 of the last 13 years under longtime coach Rick Byrd, and this season should only add to the résumé.</p><p>Byrd, who won his 800th career game with last week’s 99-58 defeat of visiting Eastern Illinois, said Benkert’s noticeable jump in playing time is no accident.</p><p>The junior has averaged 8.9 points over Belmont’s last seven games.</p><p>“Michael has always been a pleasure to coach and is valued by his teammates. But this season he has taken tremendous strides on both ends of the floor,” Byrd said. “His defensive versatility is invaluable for our team, and his shooting has provided major lifts in a number of games this season.</p><p>“I’m happy for Michael that his personal commitment and offseason work has paid off.”</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="If you go" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p><p><strong>Ohio Valley Conference tournament</strong></p><p>Where: Ford Center, Evansville</p><p>Wednesday: (1) Belmont vs. (8), Southeast Missouri, 1 p.m.; (2) Morehead State vs. (7) Jacksonville State, 3 p.m.</p><p>Thursday: (4) Tennessee Tech vs. (5) Austin Peay; 1 p.m.; (3) Tennessee Martin vs. (6) Murray State, 3 p.m.</p><p>Friday: Semifinals, 1 and 3 p.m.</p><p>Saturday: Championship, 2 p.m.</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]