Game Notes (PDF)
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Tech men's basketball team has
no easy task in front of it as it prepares the tip-off of the
2009-10 season. Tech will face off against No. 18 Minnesota on Nov.
13 at 7 p.m., the first of five games against 2009 NCAA tournament
teams for the Golden Eagles. The game will be televised nationally
on the Big Ten Network, and can be purchased online at
BigTenNetwork.com for $2.99.
For Tennessee Tech head coach Mike Sutton, there will be a
familiar face on the opposing bench. Sutton was an assistant for
Golden Gopher head coach Tubby Smith from 1994-2002 at Tulane,
Georgia and Kentucky.
"The opportunities I've had in this business, he is responsible
for that," Sutton said. "I have learned a lot from him, and I
continue to learn a lot from him."
In addition to facing Minnesota and Morehead State twice, Tech's
opponents from last year's NCAA tournament include No. 1 Kansas
(Nov. 27) and Memphis (Nov. 20).
"Our kids are excited about these opportunities," Sutton said. "It
gives our guys the opportunity to play against high-level NBA draft
prospects."
With eight letter-winners returning from a season ago, the Golden
Eagles bring a host of experience and talent back to the court for
the 2009-10 season, the eighth under Sutton. But Tech is still one
of the youngest teams in the OVC with a bright future ahead.
Leading the way is a trio of seniors - Will Barnes, Frank Davis
and Elijah Cunningham-Muhammad - who will anchor Tech's
backcourt.
Barnes and Davis will each be playing their fourth year as a
Golden Eagle, and have already left their mark on the program.
Barnes has averaged 6.8 points-per-game throughout his career at
Tech, including a career-high 9.8 ppg last season. He is 25th on
Tech's all-time assists list with 163 helpers in his career, and is
the Golden Eagles reigning offensive MVP. Davis is on pace to set
Tech's career record in three-pointers made. With 163 entering the
2009-10 season he needs just 47 to tie the record of 210 held by
Josh Heard. Davis made 76 three-pointers a season ago, and 67 as a
sophomore in 2007-08.
Tech will also bring back junior Alfred Jones, and sophomores
Kevin Murphy, Zach Bailey, Bassey Inameti and Riley Hunley. Murphy
earned Ohio Valley Conference all-newcomer honors and Tech's Most
Improved Player award last season, and is poised for an
all-conference caliber season in 2009-10. Bailey was Tech's best
defensive player as a freshman last season, and Inameti played in
all 30 games, making seven starts in his freshman campaign.
The experienced upperclassmen will be joined by a talented group
of newcomers. Tech's three incoming freshmen include Terrell Barnes
and Jud Dillard, who were high school teammates at Riverdale High
School in Riverdale, Ga. Nearby Livingston, Tenn., native Chase
Dunn, an explosive scorer with all-around talent, and
redshirt-freshman Charles Newton round out the freshman class.
Byron Pickens, a junior transfer from Mineral Area Community
College in Missouri and junior Zac Swansey, a transfer from the
University of Georgia are also new to the Golden Eagle squad.
Swansey will sit out the 2009-10 season due to NCAA transfer rules
before finishing his final two years of eligibility as a Golden
Eagle.
"I like our kids, and I like our team," Tennessee Tech head coach
Mike Sutton said. "We won't be as big, but I think we'll be a
little more athletic, a little better handling the ball, and I
think we'll be an exciting team to watch with the kind of young
people that we have, so I'm really excited about this year's
team."
The Golden Eagles were picked to finish seventh in the OVC by the
league's head coaches and Sports Information Directors, but the
team has higher expectations for itself.
"Each year you want to do your absolute best to win the
conference," Sutton said. "To get a home game in the first round of
the OVC tournament, which means you have to finish in the top four,
that's one of the things that you set your sites on."
Tech's 18-game OVC schedule opens with a road game at Jacksonville
State on Dec. 5, the only league game for the Golden Eagles until
January. After hosting Bryan College on Dec. 20 and Union on Dec.
30, Tech resumes league action with a road trip to Southeast
Missouri and Eastern Illinois, Jan. 2-4.
Tech's first OVC home game is Jan. 7 against Morehead State, who
won the league tournament and represented the OVC in the NCAA
Tournament. That game opens a crucial stretch where Tech plays six
of eight OVC games at home. That homecourt edge will be as
important as ever in the tough league race, according to
Sutton.
"The league has continued to get stronger from top-to-bottom,"
Sutton said. "We want to be really tough at home, and try to steal
some games on the road in a very competitive league. There are a
lot of teams who return a lot of players and went deep into the
conference tournament last year."
The league slate includes two games with UT Martin, a team which
reached the post-season with a visit to the NIT. The Skyhawks are
led by one of three new coaches in the OVC.
"There are three new coaches in the league, and I think you'll see
some changes at those places," Sutton said. "The strength of our
league will increase because there are a lot of teams who have the
potential to finish in the top half of the league."
In addition to Tech's tough OVC schedule, the Golden Eagles will
have maybe their most challenging non-conference schedule in two
decades. Tech will begin the season with visits to Minnesota,
Memphis and Kansas on the first three Friday's of the season.
"We've always had a good schedule, but this could be the toughest
of all," Sutton said. "We have five very difficult games early in
the schedule, including on the road at the No. 1 team in the
country in Kansas and a couple of Top 10 or Top 20 teams in Memphis
and Minnesota. Victories will be well-earned with this schedule as
we could play really well and come up short against all of these
teams, even at home."
Besides those top-notch opponents, the Golden Eagles will host
Ball State and Evansville in Eblen Center, and late in the year
face a road game against what could be another outstanding opponent
in a Bracket Buster contest.
"Evansville and Ball State are two non-conference teams from high
conferences," Sutton said. "It is by far the toughest schedule
we've played here, and it's a challenge, but we're looking forward
to the challenges."
As part of the Hall of Fame Showcase, Tech will play games at
Memphis, Kansas and Central Arkansas, and host Oakland
University.
"The Hall of Fame Showcase is a good thing because we get a home
game out of the deal, but the problem is that home game is against
an Oakland team which is really good," Sutton said. "They've got a
lot of guys back, and they won 23 games last year. That makes the
schedule even more challenging."
Tech opens the regular season on Friday, Nov. 13, at Big Ten foe
Minnesota, coached by Sutton's friend and former mentor, Tubby
Smith.
"It's the season opener, and it will be difficult," Sutton said.
"Minnesota is extremely talented, they're coming off an NCAA
tournament bid, and they're very excited about basketball up there.
The game is already sold out, and they're good."
Tech is scheduled to participate once again in a Bracket Buster
game on Feb. 20, but won't know its opponent until close to the
event. After that, the Golden Eagles host Jacksonville State on
Feb. 27 to close out the regular season.
The OVC Tournament is March 2-6, with the top eight teams playing
in the first round and the four surviving squads advancing to the
finals in Nashville.
June 2, 2010
Gates, Muhammad named as TTU Strength All-Americans
March 16, 2010
Frank Davis receives NABC second-team all-district honors
March 1, 2010
Golden Eagles visit Austin Peay in OVC opening round
February 28, 2010
Tech faces OVC Tournament doubleheader Tuesday at Austin Peay
February 27, 2010
Golden Eagles slip past Gamecocks on Senior Night, 72-62
February 22, 2010
OVC Basketball Tournament to expand, change locations beginning in 2011
February 20, 2010
Golden Eagles drop BrackerBuster contest at Appalachian State
February 19, 2010
Golden Eagles visit Appalachian State in ESPNU BracketBuster
February 18, 2010
Tech bows in overtime for second time this week
February 17, 2010
Golden Eagles look for season sweep of Austin Peay
February 15, 2010
Golden Eagles visit Tennessee State for OVC double-header
February 15, 2010
Tennessee State outlasts Golden Eagles in double-overtime
February 13, 2010
Tech subdues Skyhawks, 70-61, to tighten OVC standings
February 12, 2010
Tech hosts defending OVC champion UT Martin Saturday night
February 11, 2010
Zach Bailey receives 2010 First Tennessee Bank Scholarship
February 11, 2010
Tech can't stop streaking Racers, fall 94-62 in Eblen Center
February 9, 2010
Unbeaten Murray State visits Eblen Center for OVC clash
February 8, 2010
Dillard earns third Freshman of the Week honor
February 6, 2010
Davis torches the nets but Golden Eagles fall at Morehead State
February 4, 2010
EKU ends Tech's win streak at four games
February 2, 2010
Basketball travels to Eastern Kentucky for a Thursday doubleheader
February 1, 2010
Golden Eagles draw Appalachian State in ESPNU BracketBuster
January 30, 2010
Strong second half lifts Tech over SEMO for fourth consecutive win
January 29, 2010
Doubleheader vs. Southeast Missouri will go on Saturday as scheduled
January 29, 2010
Tech basketball hosts Southeast Missouri in OVC double-header
January 28, 2010
Golden Eagles pull away late, top Eastern Illinois Panthers 75-65
January 27, 2010
Golden Eagles look for redemption against Eastern Illinois
January 26, 2010
Free H1N1 shots available, free tickets to game with vaccination
January 25, 2010
Mike Sutton: Comeback coach of all time
January 25, 2010
Dillard earns second Freshman of the Week honor
January 23, 2010
Clemens, Porter, Lewis among Golden Eagles returning Saturday
January 23, 2010
Golden Eagles tame TSU Tigers, 61-56, behind Murphy and Jones
January 22, 2010
Tiger Hunt: Golden Eagles host Tennessee State Saturday night
January 21, 2010
Davis, Dillard and balance help Tech to 94-90 win over APSU
January 20, 2010
Golden Eagles host rival Austin Peay to begin four-game homestand
January 19, 2010
Reminder: Free admission to families of 278th and area youth teams
January 18, 2010
Students invited to "Welcome Back Bash" in Eblen Center Thursday
January 16, 2010
Racers maintain league lead with 88-66 win over Golden Eagles
January 14, 2010
TTU men's basketball featured on CollegeChalktalk.com
January 14, 2010
The Sports Zone names Frank Davis Champion of the Week
January 14, 2010
All-session tickets for 2010 OVC Basketball Tournament now on sale
January 12, 2010
Golden Eagles to play on national TV against UT Martin Thursday
January 8, 2010
Tech vs. TSU chosen as OVC Radio Game of the Week
January 7, 2010
Tech takes on Eastern Kentucky in crucial OVC matchup
January 7, 2010
Late run lifts Morehead State to 77-64 OVC win in Eblen Center
January 4, 2010
Frank Davis earns OVC co-Player of the Week honors
December 30, 2009
Davis, Muhammad pace Tech to year-ending win over Union, 95-46
December 23, 2009
Two championship teams featured at Jan. 23 Basketball Alumni Day
December 19, 2009
Jones paces Golden Eagles to 97-44 win over Bryan Lions
December 16, 2009
Happy Holidays: Special gift for season ticket holders
December 14, 2009
Tech's Dillard honored as OVC Freshman of the Week
December 12, 2009
Golden Eagles bounce Ball State in overtime thriller
December 10, 2009
Youth Basketball, Scouts special invited guests at Saturday doubleheader
December 7, 2009
Fans reminded of changes to basketball schedule this week
December 2, 2009
Jordan, McKay named to Atlanta Preseason All-Metro Team
December 1, 2009
Evansville edges Tech in double overtime, 91-90
November 30, 2009
Golden Eagles return home to take on Evansville in Eblen Center
November 27, 2009
Golden Eagles give great effort in loss at No. 1 Kansas
November 25, 2009
Golden Eagles claim 72-65 road victory over Southern Utah
November 24, 2009
Golden Eagles head west to face Southern Utah
November 23, 2009
Big second half lifts Oakland past Golden Eagles, 77-56
November 20, 2009
Golden Eagles visit Memphis in second game of Hall of Fame Showcase
November 20, 2009
Balanced attack lifts Memphis over Golden Eagles
November 19, 2009
Murphy, Davis pace Golden Eagles over Lipscomb, 92-89
November 18, 2009
Golden Eagles continue road trip with visit to in-state foe Lipscomb
November 17, 2009
Golden Eagle game at No. 1 Kansas available on ESPN Full Court
November 16, 2009
Golden Eagles get team effort in 71-67 win over Central Arkansas
November 13, 2009
Golden Eagles drop season opener at No. 18 Minnesota
November 12, 2009
Golden Eagles sign Dunwoody standout Javon McKay
November 11, 2009
Starting times announced for women's and men's basketball games
November 11, 2009
Golden Eagles host Faculty/Staff Appreciation practice session
November 11, 2009
Golden Eagles tip off regular season against No. 18 Minnesota
November 7, 2009
Men's and women's basketball hosts youth clinic
November 5, 2009
Golden Eagles outlast Bluefield for 85-78 exhibition win
November 3, 2009
Gathering of Eagles, Poster Night slated Thursday in Eblen Center
October 29, 2009
Golden Eagle basketball team to hold open practice Saturday
October 29, 2009
Golden Eagles picked seventh in men's basketball preseason poll
October 28, 2009
National audience to hear OVC Men's Basketball title game
October 21, 2009
Tech men's basketball to hold open scrimmage Saturday morning
October 1, 2009
Casey Owens wins men's basketball shoe give-away
September 24, 2009
Golden Eagles to participate in 2010 BracketBuster game
September 23, 2009
Former Golden Eagle Milone Clark in Globetrotter camp
September 22, 2009
Golden Eagle schedule issues some big challenges to Mike Suttons squad
September 21, 2009
Nashville, OVC announced as hosts for 2012 NCAA First/Second Rounds
September 15, 2009
Men's basketball gets great turnout at Elite Camp
August 13, 2009
Men's basketball to host Premier Skills Camp
June 17, 2009
First African-American NBA player shares experiences
June 3, 2009
Georgia guard Zac Swansey transfers to Golden Eagles
May 17, 2009
Sutton adds signee Dillard from Georgia prep ranks