OPENING TIP: Tennessee State looks to rebound after an 82–95 loss at Western Kentucky, where Aaron Nkrumah posted 22 points and nine rebounds, Travis Harper II added 18 points, and Dante Harris finished with 15 points and seven assists. The Tigers also saw key contributions from Kavien Jones (7 points), Jalen Pitre (6 points, 3 rebounds), Antoine Lorick III (6 points, 7 rebounds) and JC Brooks (5 points). No. 20/17 Tennessee enters at 4–0 following Monday's win over Rice, and Nkrumah comes in as the reigning OVC Men's Basketball Player of the Week.
SERIES INFORMATION VS TENNESSEE: Thursday marks the 7th all-time meeting between TSU and Western Kentucky. The Vols leads the all-time series 6-0.
SMITH'S FIRST VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE: This will be Nolan Smith's first time facing Tennessee, as he did not meet the Vols during his playing career at Duke or in his assistant coaching stops at Duke, Louisville or Memphis.
AARON'S WEEKLY HONOR: Aaron Nkrumah was named OVC Men's Basketball Player of the Week after averaging 23.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 63.6 percent from the field, 50 percent from three, and 86.7 percent at the line over two games. He opened the week with 25 points in 20 minutes against Oakwood, going 8-of-10 from the floor and 5-of-7 from three. Nkrumah added five boards, an assist, a block and a steal. At Western Kentucky, he followed with 22 points on 6-of-12 shooting and 9-of-11 free throws, finishing just shy of a double-double with nine rebounds, plus two assists and a steal.
WESTERN KENTUCKY BY THE NUMBERS:
7: Seven Tigers recorded at least one assist.
14: TSU scored 14 fast-break points, generating efficient transition opportunities.
15: The Tigers have made 15 three-pointers over their last two games, including nine at WKU.
18: Travis Harper II added 18 points, hitting multiple threes in each half.
21: TSU's bench contributed 21 points, led by Antoine Lorick III and JC Brooks combining for 11.
22: Aaron Nkrumah posted a team-high 22 points, his second straight 20-point performance.
35: TSU pulled down 35 rebounds, their second-highest total this season.
73.5: The Tigers shot 73.5 percent (25-of-34) from the free-throw line.
