Tag: Tennessee State Basketball

Tennessee State women’s hoops takes on Wright State in home opener

Staff

Image via Tennessee State Athletics Courtesy of Ella Clark, Coordinator – Communications & Creative Content, Tennessee State University NASHVILLE – Tennessee State women’s basketball returns to the Gentry Center on Friday night for the 2025-26 home opener, hosting Wright State at 7 p.m. The contest is the second game of the season for the Lady Tigers under head coach Candice Dupree. Tennessee State (0-1) opened the year with a gritty 59-53 road battle at Middle Tennessee on Monday morning. The Lady Tigers erased a double-digit deficit and briefly led in the fourth…

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Tennessee State men’s hoops dominates Fisk 101-50 in season opener

Staff

title image via Tennessee State Athletics 50 Fisk 101 Winner TSU Team 1 2 F Fisk 16  34  50 TSU 47  54  101 The Nolan Smith era started with a bang, as the Tennessee Tigers thoroughly dispatched their neighbors on Jefferson Street, the Bulldogs of Fisk University, 101-50.  In the game’s infancy, it was a back-and-forth affair that featured four lead changes and a tie. Jalen Pitre’s free throws put the Tigers up 10-8 at the 16:26 mark in the first half. Mitchel Seay’s jumper pulled the Bulldogs to within four…

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Ohio Valley Conference announces 2025-26 Basketball Schedule 

Brandon King

The Ohio Valley Conference announced its mens and women’s basketball conference schedule for the 2025-26 season.  Once more, the conference tilt features a 20-game round robin docket amongst the 11 conference members. Each team will play a pair of conference matchups before Christmas; the post-Christmas docket will resume December 30, concluding Saturday, February 28, 2026.  The 2026 Men’s and Women’s OVC Basketball Tournament will take place March 4-7 at Evansville, Indiana’s Ford Center.  Every conference game and home non-conference matchups can be seen on the ESPN family of networks, with…

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Nolan Smith named Tennessee State head coach men’s basketball coach

Brandon King

Friday Tennessee State announced that the school named Nolan Smith its new men’s head basketball coach.  “Nolan Smith is a championship-caliber leader with elite playing experience, high basketball IQ, and a proven track record of developing NBA talent,” said TSU Director of Athletics Dr. Mikki Allen.  “He brings top-tier recruiting connections, a player-first approach, and a deeply authentic bond with today’s student-athletes. Shaped by some of the game’s best, Nolan will lead our program with integrity and impact on the court and in the community. Our future is in great…

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Tennessee State Finalizing Deal to Name Nolan Smith Head Men’s Basketball Coach

Brandon King

According to college basketball insider and CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Tennessee State is working on finalizing a deal with University of Memphis assistant coach Nolan Smith for its vacant men’s basketball position following the departure of Brian “Penny” Collins for a coaching job with the Memphis Grizzlies. Although the sides are working towards an agreement, nothing has been finalized yet, adds Rothstein.  Following a decorated collegiate career at Duke that included helping the Blue Devils take home the 2010 national championship, earning the Most Outstanding Player at the Houston Regional…

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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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