OPENING TIP

Tennessee State opens its 2026-27 home schedule Thursday when the Tigers host East-West at the Gentry Center. TSU looks for its first victory after falling 94-64 to Murray State in Monday's Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon in Sioux Falls, S.D. Ty-Laur Johnson led the Tigers with 15 points, four assists and two steals, while Deondrea Lindsey scored 10 in his collegiate debut.

HISTORY VS. EAST-WEST

Tennessee State and East-West meet for the second time Thursday. The Tigers won the programs' first matchup 110-33 at the Gentry Center on Nov. 19, 2024. TSU built a 59-15 halftime lead and outscored East-West 51-18 after the break in the 2024 meeting. The 77-point victory gave Tennessee State a 1-0 advantage in the series.

BY THE NUMBERS — MURRAY STATE

Season opener • November 2, 2026

PLAYER NOTES

JOHNSON PUTS PRESSURE ON THE DEFENSE

Ty-Laur Johnson scored eight of his team-high 15 points at the free-throw line against Murray State, finishing 8-of-10. Johnson accounted for 32 percent of TSU's made free throws while adding four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

EIGHT ASSISTS FROM 300

Johnson enters the home opener with 292 collegiate career assists, eight shy of 300. His four assists against Murray State matched Arterio Morris for the team lead.

JAYDEN'S EXPANDED ROLE

Jayden Jones scored six points and collected four rebounds in 24:09 against Murray State. His six points were one shy of his seven-point total across four appearances last season, while his four rebounds exceeded his previous season total of one.

ALSTON PASSES 100 CAREER REBOUNDS

Christian Alston's team-high five rebounds against Murray State pushed his collegiate career total to 101. Three came on the offensive end, accounting for 60 percent of his rebounding total. Alston also supplied eight points, two assists and a steal in 16:19.

KAVIEN ADDS AN OUTSIDE DIMENSION

Kavien Jones connected on his third career 3-pointer in the opener, finishing 1-of-2 from beyond the arc. Jones made three of his six field-goal attempts for seven points and collected four rebounds, including three offensive boards.

MORRIS SHARES THE PLAYMAKING LOAD

Arterio Morris and Ty-Laur Johnson each recorded four assists against Murray State, combining for eight of the Tigers' 11. Morris also scored six points at the free-throw line and recorded one of TSU's two blocked shots.

LINDSEY MAKES HIS COLLEGIATE DEBUT

Deondrea Lindsey scored 10 points in 29:59 in his first collegiate appearance. Lindsey made all four free throws and contributed a steal and a blocked shot. He was one of two Tigers to reach double figures in the opener.

BRADSHAW GETS THE SEASON STARTED

Aaron Bradshaw scored Tennessee State's first points of the season with a 3-pointer at the 19:00 mark of the first half against Murray State. Bradshaw finished with seven points and four rebounds, with all four boards coming on the defensive end.

SIMMONS FINDS THE GLASS

Ajayi Simmons collected three rebounds in 3:42 off the bench in his TSU debut. Two came on the offensive end, making him one of three Tigers with multiple offensive rebounds against Murray State.

PATTERSON CONTRIBUTES AT BOTH ENDS

Presley Patterson made a 3-pointer and recorded a steal in 13:39 against Murray State. Patterson was one of five Tigers to connect from beyond the arc and one of five to register a steal.

RETURNERS SUPPLY THE BENCH SCORING

Kavien Jones, Jayden Jones and Maddux Bodenhamer combined for 15 points against Murray State, accounting for 83.3 percent of Tennessee State's bench production. Kavien scored seven, Jayden added six and Bodenhamer made both free throws for two points.

TWO MCDONALD'S ALL-AMERICANS

Bradshaw and Arterio Morris give the Tigers two former McDonald's All-Americans. Morris played in 38 games during Texas' 2023 Elite Eight season and scored 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting against Louisiana. He comes to TSU from Bethune-Cookman, where he averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 27 games last season. Morris opened that season with 20 points and 10 rebounds at Auburn.

BRADSHAW BRINGS SIZE AND SCORING

At 7-foot-1, Aaron Bradshaw is the tallest player on Tennessee State's roster. He arrives after averaging career highs of 8.6 points and 4.6 rebounds at Memphis, where he started 22 of his 29 appearances and shot 55.6% from the field. Bradshaw showed his range with a career-high 21 points at Florida Atlantic, making all three of his 3-point attempts. His college career also includes stops at Kentucky and Ohio State.

JOHNSON AND SMITH REUNITE

Ty-Laur Johnson reunites with Nolan Smith after playing at Louisville while Smith was an assistant coach in 2023-24. Johnson led the Cardinals in assists and steals that season and recorded 27 points and 11 assists against Florida State. He arrives at TSU following a season at San Diego in which he averaged 14.6 points, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals. Johnson scored at least 20 points eight times, including a career-high 28 in a win over Washington State.

MARCH EXPERIENCE

Tennessee State's newcomers bring experience from deep NCAA Tournament runs. Arterio Morris played on Texas' 2023 Elite Eight team, while Presley Patterson was a member of Auburn's 2025 Final Four squad. Aaron Bradshaw also saw NCAA Tournament action with Kentucky in 2024, recording three points and three rebounds against Oakland in the first round.

RIVERA HAS DELIVERED LATE

Josh Rivera brings experience making decisive shots. At Fordham in 2024-25, he hit a game-winning 3-pointer with six seconds remaining against Bryant and another game-winning 3 against Duquesne. Rivera averaged 10.7 points and 4.3 rebounds that season before moving to Seton Hall, where he appeared in 30 games in 2025-26. His college career began at Lafayette, where he earned Patriot League All-Rookie honors and helped the Leopards reach the conference tournament championship game.

KAVIEN'S EFFICIENCY

Kavien Jones brings the most 2025-26 game experience among TSU's returning players who recorded statistics last season. The Franklin, Tennessee, native appeared in 30 games and shot 58.7% from the field. Of his 71 rebounds, 30 came on the offensive glass — 42.3% of his total. Jones averaged 2.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in 10.5 minutes per game.

HOWARD'S NEXT STEP

Damon Howard Jr. enters his sophomore season after appearing in 21 games as a freshman. The Indianapolis native recorded 18 assists against seven turnovers, an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.57. Howard moves from No. 1 to No. 11 this season.

KNICKS IN 5 CONNECTION

Aaron Bradshaw and Tennessee State director of player development Sam Serata share a connection to Rick Brunson's Camden High School program. Bradshaw played for Brunson while Serata served as an assistant coach during the Panthers' 2021-22 season. Camden finished 31-3, captured the New Jersey Group 2 state championship and advanced to the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions final. The two reunite at TSU in 2026-27, with Bradshaw joining the Tigers' frontcourt and Serata working in player development.

ALSTON RETURNS TO TENNESSEE

Memphis native Christian Alston returns to his home state after appearing in 51 games over two seasons at Abilene Christian. The 6-foot-7 guard scored more than 1,000 points at Bartlett High School before beginning his college career in Texas. Alston averaged 4.7 points and 1.9 rebounds last season, scoring a career-high 18 points at Utah Valley. He also recorded three steals in games at Arizona and Utah Valley.

LINDSEY'S HOME-STATE OPPORTUNITY

Deondrea Lindsey returns to Tennessee after a season at Iona in which he did not see game action. The Knoxville native began his high school career at Knoxville Catholic before spending two years at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. A national top-150 prospect, Lindsey helped Knoxville Catholic finish 20-8 as a sophomore. The 6-foot-8 forward joins a TSU roster that also includes fellow Knoxville Catholic product Presley Patterson.

PATTERSON'S CHAMPIONSHIP SHOT

Presley Patterson helped Knoxville Catholic win its first boys basketball state championship in 2020, earning championship-game MVP honors after scoring 15 points on five 3-pointers in seven attempts. He later joined Auburn as a walk-on and appeared in the 2024 SEC Tournament championship game. The Knoxville native arrives at TSU after a season at Rice, bringing college experience in both the SEC and American Athletic Conference.

SIMMONS DOUBLED HIS PRODUCTION

Ajayi Simmons doubled his scoring average between his two seasons at North Idaho College, improving from 5.7 points as a freshman to 11.4 as a sophomore. The 6-foot-8 guard/forward also averaged 6.4 rebounds last season. Across 58 games at North Idaho, Simmons made 64 3-pointers and shot 36.2% from beyond the arc. His sophomore highlights included 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting against Central Arizona and 20 points with nine rebounds against Utah State Eastern.

VIEIRA-TUCK'S INTERNATIONAL ROUTE

Daniel Vieira-Tuck brings a background that includes basketball in Portugal, Overtime Elite and Texas A&M–Texarkana. He represented Portugal at the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship Division B and later played for Overtime Elite's Diamond Doves. In seven appearances at Texas A&M–Texarkana last season, the 6-foot-5 guard made six starts and averaged 13.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He scored in double figures five times, including 20 points against LSU Shreveport.

STEWART KNOWS THE OPENING HOME OPPONENT

Isaiah Stewart recorded his season-high five points against East-West University last season at Northern Illinois, adding six rebounds and two assists. East-West is also TSU's scheduled opponent for its 2026-27 home opener. Stewart appeared in 13 games for Northern Illinois after a prep career that produced 2,004 points. The 6-foot-6 guard/forward averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists during his time at BigTyme Prep.

SHELTON BRINGS A CHAMPIONSHIP BACKGROUND

Garrett Shelton helped Frisco Heritage win the 2025 Texas Class 5A Division I state championship, the first boys basketball state title in school history. The Tigers' lone freshman led his high school team in assists, steals and deflections during his senior season while averaging 3.7 assists and 1.8 steals. Shelton also made 42 3-pointers and recorded 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists against The Colony.

TENNESSEE ROOTS

Six of the Tigers' 15 players list Tennessee hometowns: Christian Alston, Maddux Bodenhamer, Jayden Jones, Kavien Jones, Deondrea Lindsey and Presley Patterson

PROGRAM NOTES

THE PRESEASON PICK

Tennessee State enters 2026-27 selected to finish first in the Ohio Valley Conference by three preseason forecasts — the official OVC poll, Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook and Athlon Sports. The Tigers received 13 of 18 first-place votes and 125 points in the league's poll of head coaches and athletics communications directors, finishing 18 points ahead of second-place Southeast Missouri. The expectations follow TSU's sweep of the OVC regular-season and tournament championships in Nolan Smith's first season.

CHAMPIONS ENTER YEAR TWO

Tennessee State enters Nolan Smith's second season after finishing 23-10, sharing the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championship and winning the OVC Tournament in 2025-26. The Tigers' 23 victories were the most in the program's Division I era. Smith earned OVC Co-Coach of the Year honors after guiding TSU to a 15-5 conference record.

A TITLE GAME FOR THE RECORD BOOK

TSU ended its 32-year OVC Tournament championship drought with a 93-67 victory over Morehead State. The Tigers established championship-game records for points scored and margin of victory. The title joined TSU's 1993 and 1994 tournament championships and sent the Tigers to their third NCAA Division I Tournament.

FAMILIAR FACES, NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Maddux Bodenhamer, Damon Howard Jr., Jayden Jones and Kavien Jones return from last season's roster. Kavien Jones, Howard and Jayden Jones combined for 55 appearances in 2025-26, all in reserve roles. With none of last season's five players who started at least 24 games appearing on the current roster, the Tigers enter the season with opportunities throughout the lineup.

THE FINISH SET THE STANDARD

Tennessee State won eight consecutive games before its NCAA Tournament appearance, closing the regular season with six straight victories before sweeping its two games in Evansville. The Tigers held their final four opponents before the NCAA Tournament to 58.8 points per game, including a 67-42 road win at UT Martin and a 68-55 tournament semifinal victory over the Skyhawks.

A CHAMPIONSHIP ANNIVERSARY SEASON

The 2026-27 campaign culminates in the 70th anniversary of Tennessee State's first NAIA national championship in 1957. Led by John McLendon, Tennessee A&I became the first historically Black college to win a national collegiate basketball championship. The Tigers followed with titles in 1958 and 1959, establishing the three-year championship run that remains central to the program's identity.

SCHEDULE & SHOWCASE NOTES

BANNERS GO UP AGAINST FISK

Tennessee State will celebrate its 2025-26 championship season by raising its OVC championship and NCAA Tournament banners when the Tigers host Jefferson Street neighbor Fisk at the Gentry Center. TSU captured a share of the OVC regular-season title and its first OVC Tournament championship since 1994, earning its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 32 years.

A TESTED NONCONFERENCE SLATE

Tennessee State's seven Division I nonconference opponents combined for a 137-99 record last season, a .581 winning percentage. Four reached the 20-win mark, and four earned NCAA Tournament or NIT berths. Tennessee and South Florida played in the NCAA Tournament, while Murray State and Oklahoma State participated in the NIT.

BACK-TO-BACK NCAA TOURNAMENT OPPONENTS

The Tigers' November road schedule includes consecutive games against 2026 NCAA Tournament participants Tennessee and South Florida. The Bulls finished 25-9 and captured the American Conference Tournament championship before falling 83-79 to Louisville in the NCAA first round. Tennessee and South Florida each won 25 games last season.

ELITE EIGHT EXPERIENCE ON THE SCHEDULE

Tennessee made the deepest postseason run among TSU's nonconference opponents, reaching the 2026 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. The Volunteers defeated Miami (Ohio), Virginia and Iowa State before falling to eventual national champion Michigan. Tennessee finished 25-12, giving TSU a November road matchup against a team that won three NCAA Tournament games last season.

ANOTHER 20-WIN OPPONENT IN STILLWATER

Oklahoma State gives TSU its fourth Division I nonconference opponent coming off a 20-win season. The Cowboys finished 20-15 and reached the second round of the NIT before falling to Wichita State. Oklahoma State went 15-6 at home last season.

TIGERS TAKE THE NBA ALL-STAR STAGE

Tennessee State will make its first appearance in the NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T when it faces Howard on Saturday, Feb. 20, during NBA All-Star 2027 in Phoenix. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Central on ESPN and NBA TV at Hardwood Central inside the Phoenix Convention Center. Howard returns for its second appearance after winning the inaugural Classic in 2022. As part of the event, the NBA and AT&T will jointly contribute $50,000 to each university.

THREE EVENTS, THREE NATIONAL STAGES

Tennessee State's 2026-27 schedule features three regular-season showcase events, up from two in each of the previous two seasons. The Tigers also competed in three events in 1988-89 and 1995-96.

2026-27: TSU opened against Murray State in the Field of 68 Marathon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Tigers will meet Grambling State and Florida A&M at the Toyota Chris Paul HBCU Classic in Washington, D.C., and Howard in the NBA HBCU Classic during NBA All-Star weekend in Phoenix. The three events account for four regular-season games.

1995-96: The Tigers finished 2-2 across three events. TSU lost to Iowa State, 75-67, and defeated Texas-Pan American, 74-68, at the Cyclone Classic in Ames, Iowa. The Tigers fell to Mississippi Valley State, 86-70, at the HBCU Classic in Dallas before defeating Southern, 84-79, at a separate HBCU Classic in Memphis.

1988-89: TSU played six games across three events. The Tigers lost to Florida A&M, 70-57, and U.S. International, 94-85, at the Ball State Tournament in Muncie, Indiana; Northern Illinois, 75-65, and Morgan State, 81-61, at the John McLendon Classic in Chicago; and Chattanooga, 86-79 in overtime, and UAB, 86-56, at the Coca-Cola Classic in Chattanooga.

SIX HBCU MATCHUPS

Tennessee State will face six HBCU opponents during the 2026-27 regular season, with games in Nashville, Washington, D.C., and Phoenix. The Tigers host Jefferson Street neighbor Fisk, Oakwood and Alabama A&M at the Gentry Center, meet Grambling State and Florida A&M at the Toyota Chris Paul HBCU Classic in Washington, and face Howard in the NBA HBCU Classic during NBA All-Star weekend in Phoenix.

A FEBRUARY NONCONFERENCE SHOWCASE

Tennessee State steps outside OVC play on Feb. 20 to face Howard in the NBA HBCU Classic during NBA All-Star weekend in Phoenix. The Tigers have previously played nonconference games this late in the regular season, hosting Loyola Maryland on Feb. 23, 2013, in BracketBusters. TSU also hosted Arkansas State on March 2, 1985, during its years as an independent.

STAFF CONNECTIONS

ONCE ON OPPOSITE BENCHES

Nolan Smith and Vince Taylor were on opposing staffs during the 2019 NCAA Tournament matchup between Duke and UCF. Smith worked on Mike Krzyzewski's Duke staff, while Taylor served as an assistant under Johnny Dawkins at UCF. The Blue Devils edged the Knights, 77-76, to advance to the Sweet 16. Both former Duke players now work together at Tennessee State.

FROM DUKE TO THE NBA

Nolan Smith worked with future NBA standouts Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Paolo Banchero during his six seasons on Duke's staff. His time in Durham included the 2022 Final Four, when Banchero helped lead the Blue Devils through Krzyzewski's final season.

GARNETT TO TACKO

Vince Taylor's frontcourt development experience includes working with Kevin Garnett during his two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2005-06 and 2006-07. Taylor later mentored Tacko Fall at UCF, helping the 7-foot-6 center earn all-conference recognition during the Knights' breakthrough 2018-19 season.

HILL'S NBA RECRUITING ROOTS

Dalonte Hill helped recruit future NBA players Michael Beasley and Bill Walker to Kansas State. Hill served as associate head coach during their shared 2007-08 season, when Beasley earned Big 12 Player of the Year and national freshman of the year honors. Their arrival helped fuel the Wildcats' return to the NCAA Tournament.

THE HUGGINS CONNECTION

Dalonte Hill and DerMarr Johnson both worked under Bob Huggins before joining Tennessee State. Hill served on Huggins' Kansas State staff in 2006-07, while Johnson played for Huggins at Cincinnati in 1999-2000 and later joined his West Virginia staff in January 2023. Johnson's Cincinnati team finished 29-4 and held the nation's No. 1 ranking for 12 weeks.

COLLEGE TEAMMATES, NBA TEAMMATES

DerMarr Johnson and Kenyon Martin shared the court at Cincinnati in 1999-2000 before becoming top-six selections in the 2000 NBA Draft. Martin went No. 1 overall and Johnson was selected sixth, marking the first time Cincinnati produced two top-10 picks in the same draft. They later reunited with the Denver Nuggets, where Johnson also played alongside Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson.