SIU Edwardsville Falls to Tennessee State in Mid-Major Showdown

Tennessee State's 80-53 victory over Southern Illinois Univ.-Edwardsville marked a significant disparity in talent and execution between the two teams. The Tigers' dominance was evident from the outset, as they took a commanding 40-26 lead into halftime. The margin only grew in the second half, as Tennessee State secured an 80-53 final score, a 27-point advantage that underscored the difference between the NET-ranked #233 Tigers and the #255 Cougars.

The blowout result was not unexpected, given the disparity in NET rankings. Tennessee State's superior talent and cohesion were on full display, as they outpaced SIU Edwardsville in every aspect of the game. The Cougars struggled to keep pace, ultimately falling short in a lopsided affair.

Aaron Nkrumah's dominant performance led the Tennessee State offense, scoring a game-high 26 points on 11-15 shooting from the field and 2-4 from three-point range. He also secured 11 rebounds and dished out 4 assists, showcasing his well-rounded skillset. Nkrumah's efficiency from the field was particularly noteworthy, as he converted 73% of his attempts.

Antoine Lorick III and Travis Harper II also made significant contributions to Tennessee State's victory. Lorick III scored 15 points on 6-10 shooting from the field and added 6 rebounds, while also blocking 3 shots to provide a defensive presence. Harper II scored 12 points on 4-9 shooting from the field, including 2-5 from three-point range, and secured 5 rebounds. Both players played key roles in the team's 27-point win over SIU Edwardsville.

Darrion Baker's 17 points were a bright spot for SIU Edwardsville, but his overall performance was hindered by a lack of playmaking ability, as evidenced by his zero assists. His efficient shooting from the field and beyond the arc, however, was a positive sign, and he will look to build on this in future games. Baker's ability to score effectively, even in a losing effort, suggests that he is a key component of the Cougars' offense.

In contrast, CJ Hall and Tyler King struggled to find their footing against Tennessee State's stifling defense. Hall's nine points were largely a result of his own three-point shooting, but he was unable to contribute significantly in other areas. King, meanwhile, was held to just 7 points on 3-13 shooting from the field, including a 0-6 mark from beyond the arc. Both players will need to improve their overall game if they are to make a meaningful impact for the Cougars moving forward.

Dante Harris's performance was notable for its stark contrast to his season averages. While his scoring and rebounding totals were significantly lower than expected, his assist total skyrocketed to nearly a five-assist increase from his average, suggesting an uncharacteristic shift in his distribution style. This anomaly highlights Harris's ability to adapt his game to suit the needs of his team, even if it means sacrificing some of his usual scoring output.

While the pre-game prediction of a 2.1-point Tennessee State victory was ultimately correct, the margin of victory was significantly wider than anticipated, with the Tigers emerging victorious by 27 points. This disparity suggests that Tennessee State's performance was far more dominant than expected, and that SIU Edwardsville struggled to keep pace.

Several factors contributed to Tennessee State's decisive win. Firstly, the Tigers' offense was nearly unrecognizable from their season average, with an extraordinary 64.8% effective field goal percentage that dwarfed their typical mark of 49.7%. This suggests a level of shooting efficiency and cohesion that allowed Tennessee State to consistently get good looks at the basket and capitalize on scoring opportunities. Additionally, the Tigers' 42.1% three-point shooting, a full 10% higher than their season average, proved particularly devastating, as they were able to stretch the SIU Edwardsville defense and create space for easier scoring opportunities.

Tennessee State's victory over SIU Edwardsville provides a crucial boost to their NCAA Tournament resume, as it gives them a Quad 1 win to go along with their already impressive Quad 2 victory. This result will likely secure the Tigers a spot in the tournament, and could potentially place them in the 14-seed range, depending on how the selection committee values their overall body of work. Meanwhile, SIU Edwardsville's loss drops them further behind in the tournament bubble, and it's now highly unlikely that they'll be able to overcome their Quad 1 loss and Quad 3 win to earn an at-large bid.