By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's basketball team returns to the comfort of the Hooper Eblen Center for its first home game of the 2022-23 campaign Thursday evening, playing host to Tennessee Wesleyan in a 6:00 p.m. CT tilt.

Fans can follow the action via radio on 106.1 The Eagle with Buddy Pearson and Frank Harrell on the call or stream the game on ESPN+ with Dylan Vazzano and Michael Cooper providing broadcast duties.

So far this season, the Bulldogs own an official 2-0 record with an 87-72 victory over the College of Coastal Georgia and a 98-92 triumph over Kentucky Christian. Tennessee Wesleyan did fall to Tusculum on Monday in an exhibition affair in Greeneville, Tenn., dropping an 85-72 decision.

The Golden Eagles return to Cookeville for their first home game during their 100th anniversary celebration season, hosting Tennessee Wesleyan for just the third time in program history. Tech edged the Bulldogs, 42-40, back in 1941, more than 50 years earlier than the most recent match-up. In 1994, the purple and gold best TWU in a 94-74 tilt in the Eblen Center.

Tech kicked off the 2022-23 campaign at No. 11 Tennessee on Monday, falling to the Vols 75-43. Tech limited Tennessee to just 27 first-half points, but the team's own offense struggled with just 16 points of its own. The Vols fired 10-of-23 from distance in the second stanza to pull away for the 32-point win, but the Golden Eagle offense shot 50 percent from the field in the second half as well.

Junior college transfer Brett Thompson paced the Tech effort after leading the team in its exhibition win over Cumberland, posting 15 points at Thompson-Boling Arena on 8-for-10 efficiency at the charity stripe. He also led the purple and gold with six rebounds and three steals. 

Graduate transfer Ty Perry posted eight points with a couple of makes from downtown while South Dakota transfer Erik Oliver delivered seven points off the bench. Ole Miss transplant and Sparta native Grant Slatten contributed six points and a pair of steals. Graduate transfer Jaylen Sebree pitched in four rebounds as well.

Season tickets for Tennessee Tech men's basketball are now on sale. To order, call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or visit TTUSports.com.

Photo by Emily Armstrong