OPENING TIP: A pair of 10-win teams will battle out to separate from the pack early in OVC play as Tennessee State and UT Martin clash on Thursday evening at the Gentry Center. Six teams currently sit tied with a 2-2 mark in league play. After this week, TSU will have a chance to move two games above .500 with wins over the Skyhawks and Tennessee Tech on Saturday.

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN: TSU expanded its partnership with Cromwell Media, naming 102.1 FM The Ville as the flagship TSU men's basketball station. "The Voice of the Tigers" Greg Pogue returns for his 11th season behind the mic and will be reunited with his longtime partner Albert Dawson. The pregame show will begin 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the contest not the actual tip time in doubleheader situations. The action can also be heard on the TSU Tigers app.

The Matchup: Tennessee State Tigers (10-7, 2-2 OVC) vs UT Martin Skyhawks (10-7, 2-2 OVC)
Date/Time: Thursday, January 12 at 8:00 p.m. CT (approx 30 minutes after the WBB game)
Location: Gentry Center || NASHVILLE
TV:  ESPN+ — Will Brown (pxp), Ron Slay (analyst)
Radio: 102.1 FM The Ville — Greg Pogue (pxp), Albert Dawson (analyst)
LIVE STATS

UT MARTIN SERIES INFORMATION: Thursday will be the 66th all-time meeting between TSU and UT Martin. The Tigers lead the all-time season series 36-29. Last season, both teams won on opposite floors with the Skyhawks taking a 16-point edge in Nashville while TSU won by eight in Martin. 

SCOUTING UT MARTIN: A win over first-place Morehead State but an overtime loss to Tennessee Tech and a conference-opening loss to Little Rock has the Skyhawks scratching their heads after Week 2 of league play. Second-year head coach Ryan Ridder is leaning on senior guard KJ Simon who is second on the team in scoring at 16.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. The biggest emergence for the Skyhawks has been Parker Stewart, the son of the late Anthony Stewart, former head coach at UT Martin. Stewart began his career at Pittsburgh before transferring to UT Martin where he was named to the All-OVC Second Team and All-Newcomer Team in 2019-20. He missed the 2020-21 season when his father passed and then transferred over to Indiana last season before returning as a graduate back to Martin.  This season, Stewart leads the team in points (17.1), rebounds (4.5), and assists (2.4) and reached double figures in 14 games with a season-best 34-points vs. McNeese.

TRIPLE D'S: Twice since December 1, The Tigers have made second-half comebacks en route to victories. Against Lipscomb on Dec. 11, TSU trailed 48-33 with 18:08 remaining in the contest before using a 28-12 run to take a 71-70 lead with 6:01 left to play. TSU won the contest 90-85. In the road win over Lindenwood, TSU trailed 39-25 with 16:33 left in regulation and tied the contest 53-all with 3:07 remaining until Adong Makuoi pulled down a rebound and finished strong with 20 seconds remaining to put TSU over the Cougars 60-57.

20+ 3x X2 FOR CLAY: In the last three games, Jr Clay has scored 20 or more points. This is only the second time in his career in which he's had three straight games where he dropped 20+ points. The last time he did this was during the 2021 season when Clay was a member of Tennessee Tech. He started the spurt against Eastern Illinois with 22 points (Feb. 13), 23 pts. vs. Eastern Kentucky (Feb. 15), and 26 pts. vs. TSU (Feb. 18). 

During this current log, Clay had 24 points vs. Little Rock (Dec. 31), 22 pts., vs. SIUE (Jan. 5), and 22 points vs. Lindenwood (Jan. 7). 

GRIFF TIES BOARD RECORD: Zion Griffin returned after missing six games at SIUE on Thursday and then tied his career best with 10 rebounds at Lindenwood on Saturday. The graduate transfer had a team-best six boards on the defensive end and four on the offensive side of the glass in 32 minutes.