By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It's the homestand finale for the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team Thursday night as the Golden Eagles play host to in-state rival and Ohio Valley Conference foe UT Martin in yet another doubleheader of action.
Tip-off is set for approximately 7:30 p.m. CST between the two men's squads while the women will kick off the night with its own contest at 5:30 p.m. Fans may purchase their tickets online (TTUsports.com), in person at the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center, or on the telephone (931-372-3940).
It is Putnam County Night on Thursday as well, with one dollar admission available to all residents of the county.
Both contests will be televised locally by WCTE TV in what is the 33rd straight year the station has worked with the Golden Eagles in the Eblen Center. In addition to coverage by WCTE TV, all of Tech's home games will be streamed live on the OVC Digital Network, with production by the Golden Eagle Sports Network.
Tennessee Tech (9-8, 1-3) vs. UT Martin (9-6, 1-1)
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015
7:30 p.m. CST
Eblen Center (9,250) – Cookeville, Tenn.
The Broadcasts
TV: WCTE (Buddy Pearson & Greg Bibb)
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle (Roger Ealey)
Webcast: Golden Eagle Sports Network on the OVC Digital Network (Dylan Vazzano)
SETTING THE STAGE
The Golden Eagles and Skyhawks square off in what has been arguably the most successful OVC series for Tech, winning 78.3 percent of its match-ups against UT Martin all-time. Tech has been especially successful of late, winning each of the past seven games against its in-state rival to the west.
The streak has a long way to go to beat the series record, however, as the Golden Eagles of the late 90's and early 2000's took home 14 consecutive wins. Despite a pretty decisive 36-10 advantage for the Tech squad, the series has produced plenty of excitement, including 27 games decided by 10 points or less and a barn-burning, triple-overtime affair just three seasons ago.
Despite the history of the series, this UT Martin squad is unlike many of the others in years past. The Skyhawks enter play Thursday evening at 9-6 on the year and 1-1 in OVC play, including an impressive overtime victory over Morehead State.
The team is led by UNLV transfer and senior guard Deville Smith, who averages 14.2 points, 4.5 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. Smith, along with three other starting members of the unit, averages over 30 minutes per contest, seeing the court 35.3 minutes each time out.
Forward Twymond Howard represents the team's presence in the paint, leading the team with 5.9 rebounds and adding 13.0 points per game. He also average over 30 minutes per game and is one of our Skyhawks to start at least 14 games this season.
Marshun Newell and Alex Anderson make up the final two members of the starting four to average above 30 minutes and make at least 14 starts. The two average 11.9 and 9.8 points per game, respectively, with Newell adding 5.7 boards per game and ranking as the team's leading 3-point shooter.
As a team, UT Martin owns a solid defense that is holding opponents to just 64.2 points per game, ranking third in the league. The Skyhawks also average 71 points per game on offense.
Tech enters the match-up coming off a much-needed victory over Austin Peay, bumping the squad over the .500 mark on the year. The Golden Eagles boast the league's fourth best scoring offense, averaging 71.7 points per game, as well as the OVC's top rebounding unit at 38.6 per game.
The leader for the purple and gold is junior center Charles Jackson, who ranks first on the squad with 13.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game as well as 22 blocks and 17 steals. He also ranks second in the nation with 12 double-doubles on the year.
Dwan Caldwell joins Jackson to make up the conference's best frontcourt duo, averaging 12.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. The Los Angeles native also represents Tech's third best free throw shooter, hitting 75.4 percent of his attempts from the charity stripe.
Torrance Rowe and Josiah Moore have each really turned it on over the past three contests, averaging 12.3 and 11.3 points per game, respectively. Moore has been especially impressive on the boards and beyond the arc as well, tying for the team high over that span with 7.3 rebounds and leading the Golden Eagles by hitting 55.6 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Photo by Tony Marable
