(St. Louis, MO) – Tennessee State, the surprise team in the Ohio Valley Conference is playing postseason basketball. The Tigers take on Ball State tonight in opening round action of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.
Dana Ford (OVC Coach of the Year) orchestrated a 15 game turn around as the Tigers collected 20 victories compared to five last season. This is TSU’s third trip to the CIT and their first since 2013. Tennessee State has never won a postseason game. Last season both Eastern Illinois and UT Martin participated in the CIT and made history by winning their first-ever Division 1 postseason contests.
The Tigers accumulated a program tying 20 victories this year sparked by two all-OVC performers in Tahjere McCall and Keron DeShields. The two East Coast raised guards combined to average almost 31 points combined and both were named to the OVC’s all-newcomer team.
Ball State (19-13) play in the Mid-American Conference where they finished (10-8). The Cardinals are having a basketball revival of their own. While the Tigers manufactured the best improvement in the nation, the Cardinals were fifth, with an improvement of 12 wins. Ball State is playing postseason basketball for the first time since 2002.
Franko House is a 6-6 forward named to the MAC’s all defensive team and was a second team all-conference performer. The Elkhart, Indiana native leads the Cardinals in scoring at 12.5 ppg clip, but has averaged over 19 points over the last four contests.
CIT games are played on campuses and the Tigers have the luxury of hosting this opening round game at Gentry Center.
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Flooding, lightning strikes, etc. have cost @RacersHoops two home games. Had to play 'neutral site' tonight instead of at home and Wednesday's goes from home to away. Tough break for the Racers, and the whole area has been hit with difficulties. #FatherHarry
Murray State's scheduled home game Wednesday vs. Southern Illinois being moved to Banterra Center in Carbondale. #ValleyHoops
Gigantic game for @BradleyUMBB today in Des Moines. If they have a chance to catch @DrakeBulldogsMB, they have to win today. The Bulldogs can basically win the title today. @BustingBrackets breaks it all down. #FatherHarry https://bit.ly/3EGiVgi
Not rooting for any particular @ValleyHoops, but chaos is always fun. If things break certain ways, after today there could be a six-way tie for fifth place.
Fun to listen to @MLBLarry on the @SIU_Basketball/@BelmontMBB game tonight. Good job brother. #FatherHarry
