OPENING TIP: The seventh season of the Penny Collins era kicks off Monday with the annual "Battle of Jefferson Street" as TSU faces fellow HBCU rival Fisk. Since taking over as head coach, Collins is 3-3 in season-opening games and 3-0 in season openers at the Gentry Center, including victories over Fisk (2022, 2023) and Alabama A&M (2019).
The Matchup:
Tennessee State (Season Opener) vs. Fisk
Date/Time: Monday, November 4 at 7:30 PM CT
Location: Gentry Center || NASHVILLE
TV: ESPN+
SERIES INFORMATION: Monday marks the 27th all-time meeting between TSU and Fisk, opening the 2024-25 season. The Tigers hold a 23-3 record over the Bulldogs and have won the last 15 matchups, dating back to the 1944-45 season. Last season, TSU defeated Fisk 76-61 in front of a nearly sold-out Gentry Center. Christian Brown led the Tigers with 16 points.
MEET THE NEW TIGERS: The 2024-25 roster features 15 newcomers, including seven transfers from NCAA Division I programs. Among them is junior guard Justus Jackson, who previously played at Hawaii and most recently at OVC member UT Martin. Jackson is projected to start at point guard. Carlous Williams joins from Tulsa, while Brandon Weston transfers to TSU after stints at Seton Hall and Rhode Island. In 59 career games, Weston has averaged 4.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game.
ENGLAND CALLING: College of Charleston transfer Khalil London played one season with the Cougars, averaging 3.0 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game under head coach Pat Kelsey. London's fellow transfer, Josh Ogundele, a seven-foot center from London, previously played at Iowa and Middle Tennessee, where he appeared in 47 games. Ogundele averaged 1.9 points per game and had his best season with the Blue Raiders in 2023-24.
THE LONE RETURNER: Knute Wood is the only returning player from the 2023-24 roster. He appeared in 25 games as a reserve guard, averaging 2.3 points per game. Wood's best performance came on December 16, 2023, when he scored 10 points against Boyce. His top Division I outing was at UT Martin, where he scored seven points in eight minutes.
BROWN HEADS TO THE SIOUX: Former TSU combo guard Christian Brown was selected sixth overall by the Sioux Falls Skyforce, an affiliate of the Miami Heat, in the 2024 NBA G-League Draft. Across 103 collegiate games, split between Georgia (2019-21) and Tennessee State (2021-24), Brown averaged 8.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game, shooting 48.4% from the field and 70% from the free-throw line.
