By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – One of the Ohio Valley Conference's marquee match-ups of the 2015-16 campaign so far, the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team returns home to the Eblen Center to host in-state rival Tennessee State on national television Thursday evening, taking on the Tigers in an 8 p.m. CST showdown on the American Sports Network.
The contest pits one of the league's premier offenses in Tennessee Tech against one of the most dominant defenses in Tennessee State. The Golden Eagles will look to keep its unbeaten streak in the Eblen Center alive, moving to 11-0 at home this season with a victory. A win would also help Tech match its best start to a season since the 2005-06 campaign.
At Thursday's game, head coach Steve Payne and his staff will don their sneakers to compliment their attire in the annual Coaches vs. Cancer initiative.
Fans can listen to the action live on 106.1 The Eagle with Roger Ealey on the call or follow the live T.V. broadcast by the American Sports Network with play-by-play from Dave Armstrong and analysis by Mark Adams. Fans can also follow the ASN feed via webstream on the OVC Digital Network.
For additional information on the game or to reserve tickets to the game, contact the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center or call (931) 372-3940. Tickets may also be purchased online at TTUsports.com.
Tennessee Tech (14-7, 6-2) vs. Tennessee State (14-5, 5-1)
Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016
8:00 p.m. CST
Eblen Center (7,500) – Cookeville, Tenn.
The Broadcasts
TV: American Sports Network (Dave Armstrong & Mark Adams)
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle (Roger Ealey)
Webcast: OVC Digital Network (Dave Armstrong & Mark Adams)
ABOUT TENNESSEE STATE
Tech returns home to the Eblen Center for an in-state battle with OVC East Division rival Tennessee State on Thursday, Jan. 28. The contest will be broadcast live on the American Sports Network at 8 p.m. CST.
Tennessee State is in its second season under the direction of head coach Dana Ford.
The Tigers are currently 14-5 overall and 5-1 in OVC play, coming off their first loss in league play at Belmont.
This year, Tennessee State is 7-1 at home, 5-4 on the road, and 2-0 at neutral sites.
Last season, the Tigers compiled a 5-26 overall record and 2-14 mark in the OVC, finishing 6th in the East Division regular season standings and 12th overall.
This marks the 61st meeting all-time between the two programs, with the series knotted at an even 30 games each. Tech is 16-13 all-time against the Tigers in Cookeville.
The two squads split last season's series, each claiming victories on their respective home courts. Tennessee State won, 64-56, in Nashville before the Golden Eagles exacted revenge with a dominant, 71-52 victory in Cookeville.
The Tigers boast one of the league's stingiest defenses, allowing just 67.7 points per game. Tennessee State also ranks second in rebounding, averaging 38.2 boards.
Tennessee State is led by Keron DeShields, who averages 16.2 points per game. He also averages 3.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds.
Tahjere McCall adds 13.5 points to the mix, dishing out 3.3 assists per game.
Big man Wayne Martin ranks second in the league with 10.1 rebounds per game and also averages 12.2 points and 1.3 blocks.
EASTERN KENTUCKY RECAP
Tech rebounded from just its second conference loss by outgunning Eastern Kentucky in Richmond, Ky. Saturday evening, defeating the Colonels, 89-83.
The Golden Eagles dominated the boards in the contest, outworking the Colonels on the glass 44-32, including 15 offensive rebounds.
Two of the top-ranked offenses in the league heading into the match-up, neither side was able to shoot above 50 percent, with Tech edging Eastern Kentucky 46.0 percent to 45.8 percent from the field.
The Golden Eagles also owned the advantage from deep (36.4 percent to 26.1) and from the charity stripe (74.2 percent to 71.9).
Tech saw three players foul out in the contest, including Shirmane Thomas, Mason Ramsey and Anthony Morse. For the second straight game, the Golden Eagles were whistled for 27 fouls.
Sophomore Aleksa Jugovic kept rolling offensively, recording his fourth straight 20-point performance, the first Golden Eagle to accomplish the feat since Jud Dillard closed out his career with four straight.
The guard posted 24 points and four assists with zero turnovers while playing all but one minute in the contest.
Torrance Rowe joined the 20-point club against the Colonels, also scoring 24 while also dishing out five assists and corralling three rebounds.
Senior Ryan Martin just missed out on his second straight double-double, scoring 15 points and hauling in nine rebounds in just 26 minutes of action.
Hakeem Rogers added 12 points to the mix while posting five rebounds and two steals. Anthony Morse grabbed a team-high 10 boards in just 24 minutes before fouling out.
ON A ROWE
One of the league's best free throw shooters, Torrance Rowe set a program record for highest free throw percentage in a game, sinking all 15 of his attempts at the line. The previous record belonged to Jud Dillard who went 14-for-14 against Jacksonville State during the 2012-13 season.
The senior turned in one of the best passing performances in program history against Southeast Missouri, dishing out 12 assists with zero turnovers. Only Maurice Houston posted more with zero turnovers, recording 15 dimes against Morehead State in March of 1993.
This season, Rowe leads Tech in scoring with 17.3 points per game, good enough to rank fourth in the OVC, and with 4.9 assists per game, also ranking fourth in the league.
T-Rowe owns an 88.5 percent shooting touch from the charity stripe and has dished out 102 assists while playing just over 34 minutes per game.
BIG ANT'S BLOCK PARTY
Adept at rejecting shots around the bucket since his arrival in Cookeville in 2012, Anthony Morse has climbed his way up the all-time list for career blocks (listed far right).
After blocking three more shots at Morehead State, Morse now has 92 in his career and has moved into sole possession of fifth place all-time in Tech history. He needs seven more blocks to pass Bassey Inameti for sole possession of fourth place.
At the conclusion of his career in 1997, only three players (Adonal Foyle, Tim Duncan, and Alonzo Mourning) had more blocks in NCAA history than Tech's all-time leader, the late, great Lorenzo Coleman. With 439 rejections, he still sits 12th all-time.
Against Eastern Illinois, Morse hauled in 14 rebounds for a career-best mark, including 10 on the defensive glass alone.
Facing SIUE, the big man dominated the paint to the tune of a career-high 17 points, chipping in seven rebounds.
He gathered his second double-double with 12 points and 10 boards at APSU.
On the year, Morse ranks second in the OVC with 2.0 blocks per game. He ranks third in the league with a 63.1 field goal percentage and also sits in the top 10 in rebounding with 6.4 boards per game.
GIVE ME SOME SUGAR
Off to a strong start in his sophomore campaign, Aleksa Jugovic ranks as the third highest scorer on the Golden Eagle roster.
The native of Serbia owns seven 20-point outings to his credit this season, including his career-high 27 coming against Southeast Missouri. Jugovic went 9-of-13 from the field while hitting 7-of-11 3-pointers and both free throw attempts.
He ranks fifth in the OVC in 3-point shooting at 44.2 percent, owning more makes and attempts than the other four players ahead of him. In league play alone, he has made the most treys, dropping 27-of-49 attempts to rank second in percentage with a mark of 55.1 percent.
Facing EIU, he dropped 26 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including 5-of-8 from deep.
Against SIUE, he dished out a career-high eight assists, just a game after doling out seven dimes against Eastern Illinois.
Jugovic dropped 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting at UT Martin, sinking all six of his first half field goal attempts. He was 5-for-7 from downtown as well.
The bonafide sharpshooter connected on 4-of-8 missiles from downtown at Morehead State, tallying 21 points on the night.
He took to the mid-range jumper at EKU, sinking 8-of-13, field goals, 2-of-4 3-pointers and 6-of-7 free throws on his way to 24 points, equaling the most consecutive 20-point outings by a Golden Eagles since Jud Dillard posted four straight to end his career during the 2012-13 season.
Fans can follow Jugovic on Twitter under his handle/nickname @SerbianSugar.
Between his junior and senior years in high school, Jugovic starred for the Serbian U-18 national team, starting at point guard at the 2013 FIBA Europe U-18 Championships.
He averaged a team-high 30.2 minutes while recording 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
The sophomore is one of three current Tech players to have earned adidas® OVC Freshman of the Week, having taken home the honor three times in 2014-15.
Jugovic was recruited by assistant coach Frank Davis, Tech's all-time career leader in 3-pointers made (251) and 3-point percentage (.407). Davis believes Jugovic can break both records in his career, and the numbers support that claim so far.
CAPTAIN COMEBACK
Named one of two team captains following last season, Torrance Rowe has accepted the role again and is leading by example.
For the seventh time in two years, the Golden Eagles completed a comeback of 10 points or more with Rowe making a large impact on the outcome.
Facing Miami (Ohio) at home, the Rowe led Tech back from a 12-point deficit thanks to five 3-pointers and 23 total points, including 13 in the second half.
After erasing a 16-point deficit that included a 14-point advantage in favor of Lipscomb at the half, the Bisons' Nathan Moran picked Rowe's pocket at half court for a wide open layup and 78-76 lead with 17 seconds to play.
Rowe answered the bell, however, draining the game-winning 3-pointer with just eight seconds left on the scoreboard, his second game-winning three of his career.
Down by 15 points with just over 10 minutes to play Tech rallied to tie in-state rival East Tennessee State with a little over three minutes left thanks to a 3-pointer by Aleksa Jugovic, assisted by Rowe.
The senior guard then hit the final free throw to give Tech its two-point cushion that would eventually result in the final score of 63-61.
With just five seconds remaining on the clock and Tech trailing Jackson State 71-69, Rowe raced the length of the court just in time to toss in a layup and beat the buzzer to knot things at 71. Tech overcame a 10-point, second-half deficit to defeat the Tigers 86-82 in overtime.
Rowe scored 17 of the team's final 28 points, all coming with less than three minutes to play in the second half.
Familiar with rallying his troops, Rowe showed the ability to put the team on his back last season in a thrilling, comeback victory over Chattanooga.
Trailing by as many as 19 points in the second half, the senior scored a then-career-high 18 points in leading the Golden Eagles to a 69-67 victory.
With the score tied at 65 with 30 seconds remaining, he drilled the game-winning three to cap the remarkable turnaround.
ONE SHOT, ONE OPPORTUNITY
After receiving just one year of eligibility from the NCAA following his transfer from South Plains College, Ryan Martin is out to make the most of his lone season at the Division I level.
The native of London, England was heavily recruited by St. John's University and drew interest from Arizona State, Gonzaga, VCU, Utah State and Louisiana, but the uncertainty of his status with the NCAA cooled most teams away from the big man.
Steve Payne loves Martin's energy level, raving about a motor that never seems to quit. He likes that the Brit plays with emotion and can use it to his advantage.
The senior possesses great rebounding ability and the option to step back and knock down shots from beyond the arc.
Against Robert Morris, Martin tied his career-high in points with 20 and added 10 boards. It marked his first double-double.
Against SIUE, Martin dominated inside for a career-high 26 points, going 8-for-13 from the field and 9-of-10 from the charity stripe. He added seven rebounds as well.
He tallied his fifth career double-double in Tech's loss at Morehead State, scoring 20 points and grabbing 13 rebounds while going 11-for-15 from the free throw line.
On the year, Martin is averaging 14.3 points and 7.6 rebounds, the best mark on the team and fifth best in the league. He ranks ninth in the OVC in free throw percentage, hitting at a .782 clip.
YEAR IN RESIDENCY
Following a redshirt season in 2014-15, Savonte Frazier made his Golden Eagle debut against Piedmont College, dishing out five assists and hitting his lone field goal attempt, a 3-pointer, to finish with three points.
Steve Payne raved about his improvement over the summer, making note of his improved strength and shooting ability.
Payne also was quick to talk about his strong leadership ability, which he has displayed since day one in Cookeville, which all starts with his drive and toughness.
EARNING A SPOT
A walk-on to the Tech roster back during the 2013-14 season, Mason Ramsey has done plenty to earn the respect of his teammates and coaches in his two season in the purple and gold.
The local Livingston, Tenn. native was awarded a scholarship by Steve Payne following the 2014-15 season, Ramsey's first year of action on the court in Eblen Center.
After redshirting in 2013-14, Ramsey became the first Tech freshman since 1986-87 to open his career with a double-double, posting 14 points and 14 rebounds.
GOOD GENES
Courtney Alexander II has one of the best role models in which to model his game after that a freshman collegiate player can have. And he lives in the same house.
His father, Courtney Alexander Sr., was the 13th overall selection by the Orlando Magic in the 2000 NBA Draft.
Courtney Sr. went on to play three seasons in the Association, including stints with Dallas, Washington and New Orleans.
In college, he led the NCAA in scoring with 24.8 points per game as a senior at Fresno State.
Alexander II notched his first career double-double against Mississippi Valley State, posting career-highs with 14 points and 10 rebounds. He has four games with seven or more boards this season.
SOUTHPAWS
True freshman Courtney Alexander II is changing the hand he shoots with for the second time in his young career. As a prep player, the forward shot primarily with his left hand, making the switch to his right during his senior season. The rookie began the transition back to his left hand for the 2015-16 season in October.
Torrance Rowe also shoots left-handed and former Golden Eagle and current Graduate Assistant Manager Mitchell Hill was a southpaw during his Tech career as well.
ON THE DEFENSIVE
Steve Payne listed Shirmane Thomas as the top defender heading into the 2015-16 Tech squad, citing his physical strength, toughness and willingness to stick his nose in there and get a stop.
The guard has notched 20 steals and six blocks so far while grabbing 3.3 rebounds per game, including a career-high seven at Iowa.
FAMILIAR ROOTS
By far the youngest player on the roster, Micaiah Henry hardly looks like a typical teen that just celebrated his 18th birthday. At 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, there is plenty to work with in the post for the Tech squad.
The youngster has shown improvement since his arrival on campus, possessing a knack for rebounding and blocking shots, but will sit out the 2015-16 campaign as a redshirt.
He also comes from some familiar territory to the Golden Eagle program, hailing from Columbia High School (Ga.).
TTU legend Lorenzo Coleman, Tech's all-time leader in blocked shots also attended Columbia High School. The post also posted the most double-doubles in program history with 40 in four years.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
The Golden Eagles' 2015-16 roster features 13 players (12 scholarship student-athletes) representing six states and two countries.
There are just two Golden Eagles who hail from the state Tennessee, but five Tech players call Georgia home. Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Oklahoma all represent home for one player.
Two Tech players were born outside the United States, with both still living in their native countries when not in Cookeville. Aleksa Jugovic is from Serbia, and Ryan Martin is from England.
Tech has three seniors, two juniors, three sophomores, a redshirt freshman and four true freshmen.
Seven Golden Eagles stand 6-foot-4 or shorter while the other six rise to 6-foot-5 or taller.
Photo by Jim Dillon
