NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee State men’s basketball team is ready to begin another highly anticipated season as the Tigers open their 2026-27 campaign against Murray State on Monday, November 2, as part of the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon.
Tennessee State will face the Racers at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Tipoff is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CT.
The matchup will give the Tigers an opportunity to build on a historic 2025-26 campaign that saw the program reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1995.
Tigers Look to Build on Historic Season
Tennessee State enters the new season following a 23-10 overall record and a memorable run to the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season and tournament championships under head coach Nolan Smith.
The Tigers captured their first OVC tournament championship since 1994, punctuated by a dominant 93-67 victory over Morehead State in the championship game.
The program’s success has also generated preseason recognition. Tennessee State enters the 2026-27 season ranked No. 25 in College Insider’s Mid-Major Top 25 poll, while OVC preseason voters selected the Tigers to repeat as conference champions.
TSU has already shown promising signs during its preseason schedule, earning an 89-75 exhibition victory over Oakland on October 24.
Murray State Presents Early Challenge
Murray State enters the matchup following a 20-13 season in which the Racers finished 12-8 in Missouri Valley Conference play and placed third in the conference standings.
Head coach Ryan Miller enters his second season leading the program after guiding Murray State to its first 20-win campaign in four years and an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament.
The Racers have undergone significant roster changes, adding nine newcomers, including four transfers and five freshmen, while returning six players from last season’s team.
Historically, Murray State has controlled the series against Tennessee State, holding a 58-17 all-time advantage. The Racers have also won the last eight meetings between the programs, with their most recent stretch of victories coming from 2017 through 2022.
Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon
The matchup is part of the Field of 68’s 24-hour Opening Day Marathon, featuring 16 teams competing in eight games across Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The event provides a national platform for mid-major basketball programs as the 2026-27 college basketball season gets underway.
Game Information
- Matchup: Tennessee State vs. Murray State
- Date: Monday, November 2, 2026
- Time: 10:30 a.m. CT
- Location: Sanford Pentagon, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Event: Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon
- Coverage: Field of 68 YouTube channel and X platforms
Following their season opener, the Tigers return home to Nashville for a November 5 matchup against East-West at the Gentry Center.
With an NCAA Tournament appearance behind them and expectations rising in the Ohio Valley Conference, Tennessee State will look to make another statement as the Tigers begin their pursuit of a second consecutive conference championship.
