Belmont Aims to Continue Dominant Season Against Struggling Indiana State NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — A stark contrast in fortunes will be on display Saturday when the surging Belmont Bruins host the reeling Indiana State Sycamores in a Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball matchup at Curb Events Center. The Bruins (24-4 overall) enter as one of the conference’s elite, having won 10 of their last 11 games. Their potent offense, which has eclipsed 100 points twice in the last month, is averaging 86.2 points per game during that stretch. Belmont is coming off an 87-70 road victory at Murray State on Feb. 15, where guard Jack Smiley scored 21 points in just 22 minutes. Smiley, a player to watch, has been a consistent scoring threat, including an 18-point, 6-assist performance in a win over Drake on Feb. 3. Conversely, Indiana State (10-18) has lost seven of its last eight games, including a 60-81 home defeat to Northern Iowa on Wednesday. The Sycamores’ season has been defined by narrow losses, with five of their last eight defeats coming by six points or fewer, including two in overtime. Guard Ian Scott has been a bright spot for Indiana State, scoring in double figures in seven of the last eight contests. He logged 32 minutes and led the team with 14 points in the loss to Northern Iowa. The teams’ most recent meeting was a thriller, with Indiana State edging Belmont 81-80 in overtime on Dec. 29, 2025, in Terre Haute. That result guarantees nothing for the rematch, given the divergent paths the teams have taken since. Belmont will look to leverage its high-powered attack and home court, where it is 13-1 this season, to solidify its conference standing. Indiana State seeks to recapture its December form and derail the Bruins’ momentum, relying on Scott’s production to fuel an upset bid. Tip-off is set for Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. Belmont’s next game is at home against Evansville on Feb. 25. Indiana State travels to face Southern Illinois on Feb. 25.