By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The wait has been daunting, but Golden Eagle fans need not wait much longer as basketball is back in action in the Eblen Center Saturday night as the Tennessee Tech men's team opens its 2015-16 campaign with a 7:30 p.m. CST contest against Piedmont College.
The contest marks the first of several doubleheaders this season as the women's squad will host Arkansas State 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).
Tennessee Tech (0-0) vs. Piedmont College (0-0)
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015
7:30 p.m. CST
Eblen Center (7,500) – Cookeville, Tenn.
The Broadcasts
TV: None
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle (Roger Ealey)
Webcast: Golden Eagle Sports Network on the OVC Digital Network (Dylan Vazzano)
SETTING THE STAGE
Tech will match up with six opponents for the first time in program history in 2015-16, including Arkansas, Jackson State, Miami (OH), Piedmont College, Robert Morris and UC Clermont.
The contest marks the second straight season-opener in Cookeville for the Golden Eagles. Tech opened last season with an 83-29 victory over Piedmont International.
Tech has won a remarkable 40 out of its past 41 home-openers dating back to 1974, a win percentage of .976.
Entering its 91st season of varsity hoops, TTU owns a 1,071-1,048 (.505) all-time record.
ABOUT PIEDMONT COLLEGE
In their third year under head coach Greg Neeley, the Lions were selected in a tie for 5th in the USA South Conference's preseason poll.
Piedmont posted a 13-13 (8-6 USA South) record last season, earning the third seed in the conference tournament.
The Lions return 11 players from last year's roster, boasting a strong amount of depth at every position.
The team also welcomes six newcomers to the mix.
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
For the second straight year, the Golden Eagles open its regular season slate against a team with Piedmont in its name when Piedmont College comes to Tech on Nov. 14.
Last season, Tech opened up in Cookeville with an 82-39 victory over Piedmont International, also on the 14th of November.
Piedmont College is located in Demorest, Ga. while Piedmont International calls Winston-Salem, N.C. home.
TECH PICKED 4th IN OVC EAST
Tech was predicted to finish 4th in the East Division in the 2016 OVC race in voting by the league's head coaches and SIDs.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
The Golden Eagles' 2015-16 roster features 14 players (13 scholarship student-athletes) representing six states and two countries.
There are just two Golden Eagles who hail from the state Tennessee, but six Tech players call Georgia home. Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Oklahoma all represent home for one player.
Three Tech players were born outside the United States, with two still living in their native countries when not in Cookeville. Aleksa Jugovic is from Serbia, Ryan Martin is from England and Josiah Moore was born in Canada before moving to Atlanta.
Tech has four seniors, two juniors, three sophomores, a redshirt freshman and four true freshmen.
Seven Golden Eagles stand 6-foot-4 or shorter while the other seven rise to 6-foot-5 or taller.
Photo by Sean Setters
