LOUISVILLE, Ky. - It is yet another year of transition for the Bellarmine University men's basketball team, as they begin their 76th season. Where last year marked the Knights' completion of their mandatory four-year Division I reclassification period, their eligibility for the NCAA championship and their return to Knights Hall, the 2025-26 season will be the first with Doug Davenport as head coach. Davenport's father, Scott, of course, manned the Knights' bench for 20 seasons for a run of success that included four Division II Final Four appearances, including a national championship, and the 2022 ASUN Championship.
 
The younger Davenport will now be the first new Knights head coach since the elder was hired ahead of the 2005-06 season and the 12th in program history.
 
After back-to-back last-place finishes in the ASUN, Davenport has brought in nine new players and a new assistant coach, Winston Yergler, to help the Knights get back on track.
 
Let's take a look at the Knights' roster and schedule ahead of their Wednesday night exhibition with Centre College.
 
WHO'S BACK
Jack Karasinski can score at all three levels and looks to build upon his .534 field goal percentage and team-best 15.4 scoring average as he returns for his senior season.
 
The Knights' leading three-point shooter in 2024-25 was guard Kenyon Goodin. The now junior returns after going 29 for 60 (.483) from deep. He came on strong at the end of the season averaging 12.7 points over his last nine games, all starts.
 
Tyler Doyle led Bellarmine with his .551 field goal percentage during his debut campaign. The reliable point guard was one of two Knights to appear in all 31 games and leads all returners having averaged 23.9 minutes.
 
In his first season at the Division I level, former junior college guard Myles Watkins came on for the Knights in conference play. He led the team with his .514 field goal percentage in ASUN play while getting to the rim frequently in his junior season.
 
Guard Grant Whitaker provided solid minutes and started the final 14 games. The now redshirt sophomore connected on 27 of his 62 field goal attempts (.425).
 
Redshirt sophomore Luke Anderson appeared in 15 games and scored 21 points on 7-for-10 shooting.
 
Guard Grant Neal looks forward to his first career action this season after redshirting during his freshman year.
 
WHO TRANSFERRED IN
Redshirt senior forward Brian Waddell joins the Knights after four seasons and 40 games played for Purdue. Among those games was a pair of NCAA tournament games in 2024 during the Boilermakers' run to the championship game.
 
Donovan Hunter comes to the Highlands from Kent State. The junior forward appeared in 26 games over two seasons, totaling 33 points and 18 rebounds.
 
Michael Wilson Jr. jumped up a level from Division II North Greenville by joining Bellarmine. The sophomore forward started 25 games as a freshman, averaging 16.9 points and 6.6 rebounds, 13th and 12th in the Conference Carolinas, respectively.
 
Fifth-year guard Darrius Bolden spent three seasons at Wisconsin-Stevens Point and one at John Wood Community College. He started 22 games as a senior, averaging 9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
 
WHO'S A FRESHMAN
Five true freshmen have joined Bellarmine. Guard Tommy Clark earned All-State Honorable Mention in Ohio as a junior. Guard/forward Ant McAfee was Kentucky's 2025 Fourth Region Player of the Year while at Warren Central. Forward Dominique Murphy is the all-time leading scorer in East Chicago, Ind., history with 2,048 points. Forward Sam Donald was twice named Class 2A First Team All-State in Illinois. Center Jacob Wassler was twice named to Cincinnati's Greater Catholic League All-Star First Team, and as a senior, was given All-State Special Mention.
 
WHO'S ON THE DOCKET
Bellarmine will take on 13 nonconference opponents and an 18-game ASUN schedule during the 2025-26 season. The nonconference schedule is highlighted by trips to four power conference schools including Georgia (season opener on Nov. 3), Kansas State (Nov. 8), Notre Dame (Nov. 19) and Kentucky (Dec. 23).
 
Bellarmine will play three additional games against Kentucky schools prior to visiting Rupp Arena to take on the Wildcats. The Knights host Midway (Dec. 3), visit Murray State (Dec. 6) and host former GLVC foe Northern Kentucky (Dec. 13) in consecutive games.
 
The early part of Thanksgiving week will be spent in Charleston, S.C., when the Knights visit The Citadel (Nov. 24) and then play a neutral game against Houston Christian (Nov. 25). The contest against The Citadel will be the second game of the ASUN/Southern Conference scheduling alliance after hosting Wofford (Nov. 15) in the first installment.
 
ASUN play begins on New Year's Day with the Knights' first visit ever to West Georgia. This year, the Knights will face seven repeat opponents: Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, Lipscomb, North Alabama, Queens and West Georgia.
 
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