NASHVILLE – The Tennessee State men's basketball team will travel to Alabama A&M for the season opener on Tuesday, as TSU begins the season on the road for the second straight year. 
 
The Matchup: Tennessee State Tigers (0-0, 0-0 OVC) vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs (0-0, 0-0 SWAC)
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 9 at 7:00 pm.
Location: Von Braun Center || Huntsville, Ala.
 
Series History: The Tigers hold a comfortable lead in the series matchup, 5-2. In the last meeting, on November 5, 2019, TSU secured a 40-point victory, 106-66, over Alabama A&M. Carlos Marshall Jr. led the team with 22 points on 8-of-13 from the field, including six three-pointers made on 11 attempts. The only two players who are still on the current roster besides Marshall Jr., Shakem Johnson and Monty Johal, combined for 19 points. Tennessee State held a four-game winning streak over A&M from 2009-2012.
 
Last Time Out: TSU opened its season with an exhibition against Trevecca Nazarene on October 27. The Tigers trailed by two at halftime but ultimately won the contest by 21 points, 76-55. Graduate transfer, Kenny Cooper, led the team with 13 points and two steals, while TSU had four players in double-figures. UAB transfer, Kassim Nicholson, added 12 points, two blocks and a team-high nine rebounds. In the second half, the Tigers improved their shooting from the field and the free-throw line. In the first half, Tennessee State shot 4-of-11 from the charity stripe but raised the efforts in the second half, making 13-of-14 from the free-throw line. The TSU big men dominated the paint, outscoring the Bulldogs 36-22.
 
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. The roster turnover from last year's 4-19 squad has brought some intrigue and excitement to the 2021 season as the team's been projected to finish fifth in the OVC preseason poll. Christian Brown, a transfer from Georgia, was a main contributor for UGA prior to an injury. Emmanuel Dowuona, a 6'10" forward from Purdue, and Nicholson look to make their presence felt in the paint. Two years ago, Johnson led the OVC in shooting percentage (62.4%). Last year, the 6'7" forward from Youngstown, Ohio, ranked third in the OVC with a 60.5% shooting percentage.
 
About the Bulldogs: Alabama A&M returns 12 of 13 players from last season's roster. In 2020-21, the program went 6-9 and finished the year on a seven-game losing streak. Amongst their returning players, the leading returner is Jalen Johnson. Johnson averaged 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds, which both led the team. The Indianapolis, Ind. native registered 16 steals and nine blocks, second-best in both categories. Johnson and Garrett Hicks were the only players to start in every game. Hicks, a sophomore from Madison, Ala., led the team in steals (20), ranked second on the team in scoring (13.0), ranked third in assists (28) and rebounds (57).
 
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