TENNESSEE STATE (0-0)
vs BELMONT (3-1)
Tuesday, Dec. 8 | 6:30 p.m.
Curb Event Center | Nashville, Tenn.
LIVE STATS: statbroadcast.com
VIDEO: ESPN+
LISTEN: TSU Big Blue Sports Network
SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter - @TSUTigersMBB
TICKETS: SOLD OUT
 
GAMEDAY
The Tennessee State University men's basketball team will open the 2020-21 season against crosstown rival Belmont, Tuesday evening at the Curb Event Center. Tip is set for 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
 
THE TIGERS AT A GLANCE
Tennessee State returns two starters in point guard Mark Freeman and center Shakem Johnson along with six additional letterwinners, and nine newcomers, three who are redshirt athletes.
 
Big Blue's season, like many across the country, had been delayed from its original Nov. 26 start date due to COVID protocols.
 
Head Coach Brian "Penny" Collins enters his third season at the helm of the Tigers after a season of record breaking crowds, tying the home-win record and topping the OVC in ESPN+ views. The Collins era continues with the addition of former TSU head coach Cy Alexander as a senior advisor.
 
Alexander gave Collins his start in the coaching industry as a graduate assistant in 2007.
 
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Belmont, the OVC's reigning champions, are coming off of its first loss of the season. The Bruins dropped its matchup with former OVC team Samford, 96-83 in the Curb. Freshman JaCobi Wood won conference Freshman of the week after putting up 17 points, three assists and two rebounds in the loss. Guard Luke Smith took home Newcomer of the Week in week one of play after a 54 point, 9 assist performance at the Bruins' season-opening tournament where the team went 3-0.
 
LAST TIME THEY MET
The teams met in the 2020 regular season finale at home. The Tigers powered back from an early 15-point deficit, outscoring the Bruins 35-32 in the second half, but fell 72-65 to finish the season 17-14, 9-9 record, earning the Tigers a number five seed in the OVC Tournament.
 
SERIES INFORMATION
Belmont leads the all-time series 22-13. The Bruins have defeated Big Blue in the last five matchups. Collins is 0-4 against his alma mater and is 0-2 against Belmont's head coach Casey Alexander, who was the assistant for Belmont when Collins played for the Bruins. Tuesday's matchup will be the 36^th meeting between the crosstown rivals.  
 
COVERAGE
Watch the game live on ESPN+. Tune in to the TSU Big Blue Sports Network for audio only. Live stats will be available on StatBroadcast. Follow along on social media @TSUTigersMBB on Twitter and Instagram.
 
UP NEXT
Tennessee State will return to action Saturday, Dec. 12 on the road at IUPUI. Tip in Indianapolis is set for 11 a.m. CT. on ESPN3.