Tag: Tennessee State Basketball

Tennessee State’s Brian ‘Penny’ Collins Departs for NBA Opportunity

Brandon King

Tennessee State head men’s basketball coach Brian “Penny” Collins has stepped down, effective immediately, to accept a coaching position with the Memphis Grizzlies.  “On behalf of Tennessee State University, I wish Coach Collins and his family the very best as they begin this exciting new chapter,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Mikki Allen. “We are proud to congratulate Coach Collins on this significant opportunity, which reflects the meaningful work he has done here over the past seven years.” “Coach Collins built a family-oriented culture and a competitive program that earned…

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Tennessee State basketball adds six players to roster

Staff

image via Tennessee State Basketball Courtesy otTennessee State Athletics Tennessee State head men’s basketball coach Brian “Penny” Collins has announced the addition of six new players to the 2025–26 roster. “I’m really excited about this recruiting class,” said Collins. “They’ll join a strong group of 10 returners who experienced a lot of success last year.” Of the six newcomers, four are transfers — including one from Sacramento State and three from non-NCAA programs. The two freshmen include a local product from Madison, Tennessee, and another from Indianapolis, Indiana. PLAYER BREAKDOWNS: …

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Tennessee State forward Josh Ogundele enters the transfer portal

Brandon King

Tennessee State forward Josh Ogundele has become the next Tiger to hop in the transfer portal, per the Portal Report.  The Iowa transfer appeared in 33 games, with 20 starts, averaging 6.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per contest. Ogundele, a London, England native, began his collegiate career at Iowa, where he spent three seasons before transferring to Middle Tennessee for his senior season. 

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Tennessee State’s Knute Wood enters the portal

Brandon King

Tennessee State guard Knute Wood is entering the transfer portal.  Wood made his announcement via a post to his X account that read in part, “Thank you, Coach Collins, the staff, and my teammates for allowing me to grow into the player I am today. After much thought and prayer, I have decided to enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining. “ Wood averaged 5.7 points, including a team-leading .416 from downtown, and 1.7 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per contest. The redshirt sophomore’s most notable moment this season…

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Tennessee State comes up short in OVC semis, 71-69 to SIUE

Brandon King

image via Tennessee State Basketball Tennessee State’s comeback bid fell short as they were defeated 71-69 by SIUE in the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Friday evening, heartbreakingly ending the Tigers’ season.  The opening minutes of the contest was a back-and-forth affair that featured 2 ties and 6 lead changes before SIUE took a 10-9 lead on a Myles Thompson jump hook at the 15:28 mark.  The Cougars seized control of the half, building as much as a 12-point lead and ultimately taking a 42-32 lead into halftime.…

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Tennessee State to take on SIUE in OVC semis Friday night

Staff

image via TSU Basketball OPENING TIP: The Tennessee State men’s basketball team has reached the OVC semifinals for the first time since the 2012-13 seasonwaaaā and will face No. 2 seed SIUE on Friday evening. The Matchup: Tennessee State vs. SIUE CougarsDate/Time: Friday, March 7 at 9:30 PM CTLocation: Ford Center || Evansville, Ind. TV: ESPNU SERIES INFORMATION VS. SIUE: Tennessee State holds a 14-8 all-time record against SIUE but was swept by the Cougars in the regular season. TSU IN THE OVC’S: The Tigers enter the tournament with a 16-30 mark since making their first appearance in…

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Tennessee State defeats Lindenwood 69-55 in OVC Quarters

Brandon King

image via Tennessee State Athletics Tennessee State used a strong second half to break open what was a fairly close game in the first half on the way to a comfortable 69-55 and secure a spot in the OVC Semifinals.  Lindenwood took an early 8-0 lead at the 17:06 mark. TSU would walk the Lions down over the next 6:30, taking their first lead of the evening on Aaron Nkrumah’s jumper that made the score 14-13 with 10:36 left in the half. The Tigers continue to show the way for…

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Tennessee State’s Brian Collins finalist for Ben Jobe Award

Brandon King

image via Tennessee State Basketball Tennessee State men’s head coach Brian “Penny” Collins was named to the finalist list for the 2024-25 Ben Jobe Award.  In his seventh season helming the Tennessee State basketball program, Coach Collins led the Tigers to a 16-15 overall and 12-8 record thin the OVC, which was the best conference mark during his tenure at TSU. The Tigers also earned the no.3 seed in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament and the quarterfinal bye that accompanies it. The Ben Jobe Award is named after one of…

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Tennessee State Lady Tigers blitzed early, falls hard in OVC Tourney opener, 90-66 to Southern Illinois

Brandon King

image via Tennessee State Basketball It was a rough day at the office for the Tennessee State Lady Tigers Southern Illinois pounced on them early and did not look back as TSU was unceremoniously sent packing in the first round of the OVC Tournament, 90-66 at the hands of USI, a team they had defeated 73-64 four days previously in the season finale.  Although the Lady Tigers took a brief 2-0 lead off a Kiki Roberts steal and layup at the 9:24 mark. From there it went downhill, rather quickly,…

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Tennessee State closes out regular season with 74-69 win over Southern Illinois

Brandon King

Tennessee State finished the regular season on a high note with a nearly wire-to-wire 74-69 defeat of Southern Illinois.  Southern Illinois took an early 3-0 lead on Ryan Hall’s three-pointer on the Screaming Eagles and the contest’s opening possession. Following a Travis Harper II connection from downtown that knotted the game at 3, USI reclaimed the lead when Jack Campion’s layup pushed the Screaming Eagles back in front 5-3. Tennessee State jumped back in front at 6-5 on another Harper II three-pointer. The Tigers lead for the balance of the…

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