The Tennessee State Tigers became the first team to punch its ticket to the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament on March 7 after capturing the Ohio Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament championship.
On Selection Sunday>, it was revealed that Tennessee State earned the No. 15 seed in the Midwest Region and will take on the Iowa State Cyclones men’s basketball, the region’s No. 2 seed, in St. Louis on Friday, March 20.
The 2025–26 season has been a historic campaign for Tennessee State basketball. Under first-year head coach Nolan Smith, the Tigers captured both the OVC regular-season championship and the conference tournament title—the first time the program has accomplished the feat in 32 years. The title also secured the program’s automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Senior guard Aaron Nkrumah was named OVC Player of the Year. Nkrumah finished second in the conference in scoring at 17.6 points per game, while leading the league in total points (563) and steals per game (2.8).
Nkrumah was one of three Tigers to earn All-OVC honors. He was joined on the First Team by Travis Harper II, who ranked second on the team and third in the OVC with 17.3 points per game. Harper also led the conference in three-point percentage, connecting on 40.1% of his attempts from beyond the arc.
Point guard Donte Harris earned All-OVC Second Team honors. Harris averaged 11.7 points per game and led the conference with 4.5 assists per contest.
Coach Smith also received his share of recognition, earning OVC Co-Coach of the Year honors. He was additionally named a finalist for the Ben Jobe Award, Joe B. Hall Award, and Hugh Durham Award, which recognize the top coaches at HBCU programs, first-year head coaches, and mid-major programs, respectively.
3 Key Storylines Heading Into Tennessee State vs Iowa State
1. Tennessee State enters the tournament red hot
The Tennessee State Tigers are heading into the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament playing their best basketball of the season. The Tigers won both the Ohio Valley Conference regular season title and the conference tournament championship, giving them momentum few teams entering the field can match.
TSU’s defensive pressure and improved perimeter shooting were key ingredients in their late-season surge.
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2. Aaron Nkrumah leads a dangerous backcourt
Senior guard Aaron Nkrumah, the OVC Player of the Year, headlines a dynamic Tennessee State backcourt. Nkrumah averaged 17.6 points per game, while also leading the conference in steals.
He’s joined by Travis Harper II, one of the OVC’s most efficient perimeter shooters, and point guard Donte Harris, who led the conference in assists. Together, the trio gives TSU a balanced offensive attack capable of putting pressure on opposing defenses.
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3. Nolan Smith’s first season has been historic
First-year head coach Nolan Smith has already etched his name into program history. In his debut season leading the Tigers, Smith guided the program to its first regular-season and tournament championship sweep in more than three decades.
Now he will attempt to lead Tennessee State to its first NCAA Tournament win in program history when the Tigers face the Iowa State Cyclones men’s basketball in St. Louis.
More information regarding tip-off time and broadcast details will be reported as it becomes available, so stay tuned to Sneaker Shop Talk for updates.
