EASTERN ILLINOIS (17-11, 10-7)
vs. Tennessee State (9-21, 6-11)
Feb. 27, 2010 • 6 p.m. (CST)
Lantz Arena • Charleston, Ill.
Radio: Hit Mix 88.9 FM • TV: WEIU
Mike Bradd & Jack Ashmore
GAME 29
Eastern Illinois closes out the regular season on Saturday night hosting Tennessee State for senior night. The game will also serve as the culminating event for the Panthers season long 100 years of intercollegiate basketball celebration. EIU has won six straight games and enters the contest at 17-11 overall, 10-7 in the OVC. Tennessee State is also one of the hottest teams in the OVC as the Tigers have won five straight league games to clinch a spot in the OVC tournament. TSU is 9-21 overall, 6-11 in the conference.
EIU-TENNESSEE STATE SERIES
This will be the 42nd meeting between Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State with the Tigers holding a 23-18 series lead. In the first meeting this season, EIU and TSU needed three extra periods before EIU prevailed 83-81 in Nashville. EIU has won two straight over TSU in Lantz Arena. In the 100 year history of EIU men's basketball these two squads first met on Jan. 11, 1959 when defending NAIA champion Tennessee State coached by John McClendon won in old Lantz Gym over the Panthers coached by Robert Carey.
SCOUTING TENNESSEE STATE
Tennessee State features a much different line-up entering the final game of the season than they did when the two schools first met to open the OVC season back on Dec. 3. The Tigers have dismissed four players from the team and since that time have played with better chemistry. TSU has won five straight OVC contests to lock up a tournament playoff spot. Jacquan Nobles is the team leader in scoring at 11.1 points followed by Robert Covington with 10.7.
OVC PLAYOFF TIE BREAKERS
Eastern Illinois enters the final game of the season with a chance to finish as high as third place in the OVC standings and as low as fifth place. EIU can lock up a home playoff game with a win over Tennessee State and a loss by either Austin Peay or Eastern Kentucky. APSU plays at Southeast Missouri on Saturday while EKU hosts Murray State.
