No 1 – Tennessee State
Nobody is picking Tennessee State to win the OVC but me. Most polls find them fourth, but here is why they are wrong. The three-headed monster that is the trio of Travis Harper II, Carlous Williams and Aaron Nkrumah is an unmatched OVC contingent.
All stand between 6’5 and 6’6 and each is a double-digit scorer and a four or more rebounds-per-game player. They are a rare matchup nightmare. While Williams is a grad student Harper and Nkrumah are each seniors. These three won’t be surprised by anything thrown their way.
First year coach Nolan Smith is a winner. As a star player at Duke and an assistant there and at Memphis, he is ready for this job. His desire to coach at an HBCU is one of the major reasons he was excited to coach at Tennessee State.
He had to build a staff and add a load of players.
TSU was a high-flying offensive team under former coach Brian ‘Penny’ Collins and while they’re still a talented offensive team, but their identity will be built on the defensive end of the floor.
Getting the ball to those explosive wing players will be a priority for Smith during these final two weeks of preseason practices. Returner Khalil London may be the top contender to anchor the backcourt. He missed all of last season after transferring in from College of Charleston.
Coming along with Smith from Memphis is guard Dante Harris. The 6’0 guard played two years at Georgetown, one at Virginia and spent last season at Memphis. He started 50 games with the Hoyas and averaged ten points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Of course Smith was an all-American point guard, he will demand a great deal from his backcourt players.
Tennessee’s ‘Mr. Basketball’, Jayden Jones signed with the Tigers. The 6’4 rookie and Georgetown College transfer Jabrion Spikes should factor into some backcourt playing time. Damon Howard is a 6’1 guard and one of the top players coming out of Indiana.
There are a host of 6’8 and taller players on this squad. Jalen Pitre is a transfer from Sacramento State and returner Antoine Lorick III averaged 5 points and 3.4 rebounds last season and people around the program say he is ready to break out.
6’10 Jean Yvens LaFleur and 6’9 Ogien Ayo are options in the middle.
TSU opens the season with a November 3 home game against Fisk.