EASTERN ILLINOIS (3-2)
at TENNESSEE STATE (1-6)
Dec. 3, 2009 • 7:30 p.m. (CST)
Gentry Center • Nashville, Tenn.
Radio: Hit Mix 88.9 FM
- Mike Bradd & Rich Moser
GAME 6
Eastern Illinois will open the 2009-10 Ohio Valley Conference basketball season on the road this Thursday when they travel to play Tennessee State. The two-game road swing will conclude on Saturday evening at Austin Peay. EIU was selected to finish fourth in the OVC preseason poll while TSU was selected to finish ninth. The Panthers are 3-2 coming off a 95-62 loss to Belmont on Saturday evening. Tennessee State enters at 1-6 also coming off a loss to Belmont as the Tigers fell at Belmont, 69-60, on Monday night.
EIU-TENNESSEE STATE SERIES
This will be the 41st meeting between Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State with the Tigers holding a 23-17 series advantage. The two schools will conclude the regular season against each other on Feb. 27 in Charleston, a game that will serve as the 100th year of EIU basketball celebration game. Last season EIU and TSU split the season series with each school winning on its home court. This marks the fourth time that EIU and TSU have met to open the OVC season.
SCOUTING TENNESSEE STATE
Tennessee State enters the game with a 1-6 record overall with three of their last four losses decided by nine points or less. Under new head coach John Cooper the Tigers are playing a pressing style of defense that is averaging 10 plus steals per game. Junior forward Josh Sain is the team's leading scorer at 13.1 points per game. TSU is shooting 38 percent from the field for the season.
PLAYING WELL ON THE ROAD
Eastern Illinois has played better on the road than at Lantz Arena in the early portion of the 2009-10 season as the Panthers are 2-0 on the road and only 1-2 at home. EIU is shooting 53 percent from the field on the road and 50 percent from 3-point land while averaging 77 points per game.
