The Eastern Kentucky Colonels (12-12), the Ohio Valley’s top shooting team, will challenge the Tennessee State Tigers (15-6) at Gentry Center. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Thursday, Feb. 4.
The Tigers enter this game hoping for similar success after dismantling Jacksonville State 78-53 in their last matchup. Tahjere McCall was the game’s leading scorer with 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting. The Colonels, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their close 70-67 loss against Morehead State in their last game. Eastern Kentucky lost despite the best efforts of Nick Mayo, who recorded his second double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
McCall and Keron DeShields have been better than usual over the last five games for the Tigers. During that stretch, McCall has averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 three-pointer, while DeShields has recorded 21.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.8 three-pointers a game. Mayo has been hot for the Colonels. In the same five-game span, he is averaging 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 2.0 blocks, and 0.8 three-pointers.
Notes
Tennessee State won its last game by a 25-point margin. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, Eastern Kentucky is 3-4. Tennessee State is 3-0 in blowouts this season.
The Eastern Kentucky Colonels rank 64th for their offensive rating of 111.6. The Tennessee State Tigers have a defensive rating of 97.3 (ranked 62nd).
The Eastern Kentucky Colonels have one of the best field goal percentages this season, ranking 11th in the nation with a FG% of 49.3%. The Tennessee State Tigers have split their games this season (1-1) when opponents have a similar or higher FG%.
Tennessee State attempts an average of 17.0 three pointers per game and Eastern Kentucky attempts 21.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Tennessee State Tigers have a solid 4-2 record while the Eastern Kentucky Colonels have a 9-6 record.
Eastern Kentucky ranks 98th in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.18. Tennessee State is ranked lower at 319th with an A/TO of .80.
Eastern Kentucky ranks 319th in offensive rebounds, while Tennessee State ranks at 81st in defensive rebounds.
On average, Eastern Kentucky forces a turnover rate of 21.4%. When Tennessee State turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a superb 7-1 record.
