TENNESSEE STATE (0-2)
vs BELMONT (6-1)
Friday, Dec. 18 | 6 p.m.
Gentry Center | Nashville, Tenn.

LIVE STATS: StatBroadcast
VIDEO: ESPN+
LISTEN: Big Blue Network
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GAMEDAY
The Tennessee State University men's basketball team hosts crosstown Ohio Valley Conference rival Belmont in its home opener Friday, Dec. 18 with a 6 p.m. tip on ESPN+.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Four hours away from home, the Tigers took on its first nonconference opponent in IUPUI Saturday afternoon in an empty Indiana Farmers Coliseum. After forty minutes of action, Tennessee State men's basketball is now 0-2 on the year.
 
Shakem Johnson led the team with 17 points, eight rebounds, while sophomore point guard Mark Freeman led in assists and steals (3).
 
Nashville's own Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. scored the final three points for Big Blue with 49 seconds left on the clock to make it a one-possession game. IUPUI, who had gone 16-23 from the free throw line, received four more chances within the final minute of competitive action to win the night 69-66.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT
The Bruins lead the OVC in wins with a 6-1 record, but rank second behind Jacksonville State who has won two league matchups compared to BU's one. The one conference win was to the Tigers just 10 days ago at the Curb.
 
Three weeks in and Sewanee transfer Luke Smith has been named OVC Newcomer of the Week twice and Player of the Week once. The Knoxville, Tenn. Native averages 19.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Nick Muszynski, 6-11 center who scored 21 points against the Tigers earlier this month averages 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds through seven games.

SERIES INFORMATION
Friday's matchup will be the 37^th meeting between the crosstown rivals. Belmont leads the all-time series 23-13. The Bruins have defeated Big Blue in the last six matchups. Collins is 0-5 against his alma mater and is 0-3 against Belmont's head coach Casey Alexander, who was the assistant for Belmont when Collins played for the Bruins.
 
COVERAGE
Watch the game live on ESPN+. Live stats will be available on StatBroadcast. Follow along on social media @TSUTigersMBB on Twitter and Instagram.
 
UP NEXT
The Tigers have a quick 25-hour turnaround before hitting McLendon Court once again. Big Blue will play Crowley's Ridge Saturday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Gentry Center. Catch the action on ESPN+ or the Big Blue Sports Network.