JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the first part in a two-part series breaking down Carson-Newman men's basketball's positions for the 2025-26 season. This preview chronicles the forwards with help from Dave Gorianskii.

In one sense, Carson-Newman will be in a transition year in the post, in another, Carson-Newman returns one of the Southeast Region's best passing big man.

Gone is multi-year All-SAC selection and two-time Academic All-American power forward John Zhao to Spain's Segunda FEB and the Azulejos Moncayo CB. However, Braden Ilic returns for his senior season after finishing second on the team in assists last year.

C-N's sweet-shooting stretch five, ETSU transfer Braden Ilic averaged double-digits in his first season for C-N. Ilic buried 54 threes on the year at a 38 percent clip

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