NASHVILLE – The Tennessee State men's basketball team hits the road for the Gateway HBCU Invitational to take on Norfolk State. The event showcases HBCU programs to create more exposure for the storied institutions.
 
The Matchup: Tennessee State Tigers (0-1, 0-0 OVC) vs. Norfolk State Spartans (2-0, 0-0 MEAC)
Date/Time: Saturday, November 13 || 5pm EST, 4pm CST
Location: Gateway Center Arena || 2000 Convention Center Concourse, Atlanta, GA 30337
 
Last Time Out: Tennessee State began the regular season with a road trip to Huntsville, Alabama and suffered a defeat, 82-73, to Alabama A&M. The Bulldogs held TSU to four points over the final 5:44. The Tigers were led by Dedric Boyd and Kassim Nicholson as the two transfers tallied double-digit scoring. Boyd, a redshirt-junior from Illinois State, led the way with 17 points, while UAB transfer, Nicholson, posted a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds. Kenny Cooper swiped three steals and dished out five assists. In his three years at Lipscomb, the guard totaled 59 games with multiple steals.
 
About the Tigers: Tennessee State adds seven transfers, six from Division I programs, as well as three true freshmen. In addition, the Tigers welcome back Marshall Jr., who sat out last season with an injury. The redshirt-junior from Memphis, Tenn., has been named to the 2021-22 preseason All-OVC team. TSU has opened the regular season on the road in six of the last seven seasons. In the opener, all seven transfers received playing time as Cooper led the team in minutes (30). The Tigers' roster is extremely deep as 10 players received playing time and the bench out-scored A&M, 37-14.
 
About the Spartans: Last year, Norfolk State reached the NCAA Tournament after winning the MEAC Tournament and finished as the co-champion during the regular season. NSU secured a victory over Appalachian State in the NCAA First Four. In the next round, the Spartans fell to eventual NCAA runner-up, Gonzaga. Norfolk State returns eight letter winners, including two of their top three scorers – Joe Bryant Jr. (11.1 ppg) and Jalen Hawkins (10.1). In their last time out, the HBCU program defeated Penn State Wilkes-Barre, 111-55. NSU had six players in double-figures, as three players tied the team-high of 14 points. Tyrese Jenkins flirted with a double-double as he posted 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds. The Spartans totaled 15 steals in the contest, leading to 27 points off turnovers. The bench out-scored PSU Wilkes-Barre, 57-23.
 
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