Tag: OVC basketball

Robert Covington Joins Nolan Smith’s Staff as Chief Basketball Officer

Brandon King

Tennessee State University has announced that former NBA standout Robert Covington is joining head coach Nolan Smith’s staff as the program’s Chief Basketball Officer, adding another accomplished basketball mind to a program coming off one of the most historic seasons in school history. Covington announced the move through Tennessee State men’s basketball, marking a significant homecoming for one of the most decorated players in program history. The former Tiger brings an impressive professional résumé to the position. Covington played more than a decade in the NBA, appearing in more than…

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Kevin Durant Gifts Tennessee State Basketball Team His Latest Nike KD 19 Signature Sneaker

Brandon King

It appears that Tennessee State’s new Nike partnership is already paying high profile dividends. Kevin Durant is making sure the Tennessee State Tigers are stepping onto the court in style. 🐅🔥 The NBA superstar has gifted the Tennessee State men’s basketball team pairs of his latest signature sneaker, the Nike KD 19, giving the HBCU program an early look at one of Nike Basketball’s newest performance models. Photos shared by Tennessee State basketball show the Tigers rocking the KD 19, adding another connection between Durant and the HBCU basketball community.…

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Tennessee State Lands Seton Hall Transfer Josh Rivera

Brandon King

Tennessee State continues to strengthen its roster under head coach Nolan Smith. Former Seton Hall forward Josh Rivera has committed to the Tigers, Rivera confirmed to @247SportsPortal. The veteran wing gives Tennessee State another experienced addition as the program prepares for the 2026-27 season.  Rivera, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward, spent last season at Seton Hall, where he averaged 3.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in limited minutes. Prior to joining the Pirates, he played at Fordham, where he averaged 10.7 points and 4.3 rebounds during the 2024-25 campaign, showcasing his ability…

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Tennessee State Basketball Announces 2026-27 OVC Schedule as Tigers Begin Title Defense

Brandon King

The road to another Ohio Valley Conference championship is officially set. Defending OVC champion Tennessee State has announced its 2026-27 conference schedule, giving the Tigers their first look at the path toward defending both their regular-season and tournament crowns. The 16-game league slate features eight home contests at the Gentry Center and eight road games as Tennessee State looks to build on one of the program’s most successful seasons in more than three decades. The Tigers will tip off conference play on Dec. 31 with a road matchup against Southern…

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TSU Rewards Nolan Smith With Extension After NCAA Tournament Breakthrough

Brandon King

In just his first season at the helm, Nolan Smith has already etched his name into the modern history of Tennessee State Tigers basketball. Smith kicked the proverbial doors down in Nashville, leading the Tigers to a 23–10 overall record and a 15–5 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play. TSU captured both the regular season and conference tournament championships, earning its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1994—ending a three-decade drought in emphatic fashion. On the heels of that historic campaign, Tennessee State has rewarded Smith with a contract extension that…

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Here are five key takeaways from Tennessee State’s dominant championship performance

Brandon King

Image via Tennessee State Basketball Here are five key takeaways from the historic victory by Tennessee State Tigers men’s basketball in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Game. The dominant win not only delivered the Ohio Valley Conference tournament title for Tennessee State Tigers men’s basketball, but also ended a three-decade championship drought for the program. Under first-year head coach Nolan Smith, the Tigers’ run to the conference crown represents one of the most significant seasons in recent program history and sends Tennessee State University back to the NCAA Division I…

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Hot shooting from beyond the arc propels Tennessee State to OVC title and NCAA Tournament bid

Brandon King

Image via the OVC Red-hot shooting from three-point range powered Tennessee State to a dominant 93–67 victory over Morehead State in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Game, punching the Tigers’ ticket to the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers came out firing on all cylinders, particularly on the offensive end, where they connected on six of their first seven attempts from beyond the arc. A Tennessee State team that normally shoots just 31.9 percent from three-point range caught fire early, knocking down an incredible 12 of its 15 attempts from deep in…

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OVC Championship Preview: Tennessee State and Morehead State set for rubber match

Brandon King

Preview The Tennessee State Tigers and Morehead State Eagles men’s basketball will meet Saturday night with the Ohio Valley Conference championship and an NCAA Tournament berth on the line. The teams split their regular season meetings. Tennessee State won the first matchup 105-100 in overtime on January 15, in Nashville, while Morehead State responded with a 94-86 victory at home on February 14. The matchup features one of the conference’s most dynamic guards in Aaron Nkrumah against a Morehead State team known for physical play and rebounding dominance. Keys to…

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Defense powers Tennessee State past UT Martin into OVC Championship

Brandon King

The defense of Tennessee State Tigers proved to be the bane of the UT Martin Skyhawks offense, as Tennessee State secured a 68–55 victory to advance to the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Game. The Tigers held UT Martin to just 55 points while limiting the Skyhawks to 38 percent shooting from the field and 29 percent from three-point range—each below their season averages of 69.8 points, 42.1 percent shooting, and 30.4 percent from beyond the arc. Tennessee State’s offense was efficient throughout the contest, shooting 47.3 percent from the field,…

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Tennessee State Is Back: Aaron Nkrumah Wins OVC Player of the Year, Nolan Smith Named Co-Coach of the Year

Brandon King

Tennessee State basketball isn’t just improving — it’s ascending. On the heels of one of the most successful seasons in program history, Aaron Nkrumah has been named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year, while head coach Nolan Smith earned OVC Co-Coach of the Year honors. And for the Tigers, this feels like something bigger than awards. Nkrumah’s Breakout Year The Worcester, Massachusetts native was the engine behind Tennessee State’s surge to the top of the OVC standings. Nkrumah averaged 17.7 points per game — leading the Tigers and finishing…

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