Featured image: UT Martin’s Matas Deniusas (44) drives the ball while being guarded by SIU’s Drew Steffe (21) on Dec. 10, 2025 at Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. (Pacer Photo/Kayli Plotner)

After a tough first year for Head Coach Jeremy Shulman and the UT Martin Skyhawks, the team has found its stride in year two.

Following a 14-19 finish last season, UT Martin has already surpassed its win total from Shulman’s first year at the helm with a 17-5 record. This slots the team at 1st place in the Ohio Valley Conference with only a month left to play in the regular season.

Shulman and his staff have been able to instill a system and culture that failed to gain traction in his first season with the team. After some roster changes in the offseason, Shulman’s unselfish, positionless basketball game plan has clicked with his young players. 

Skyhawks’ general manager and assistant coach Jawaan Holmes said his players have bought into a culture of making the extra pass.

“We want assisted points. It’s fun to play in a system where the culture is to pass the ball and everyone else gets to eat,” said Holmes. “The ball moves and everyone gets to eat. We call it energy. The ball has energy and it gives the team energy.”

UT Martin entered this season with only five contributors returning from the previous team. Shulman brought on nine new players to his program with many of the new faces contributing greatly to the team’s success this season.

Notable new players include multi-time OVC Freshman of the Week, forward Matas Deniusas, who has started all 22 games for the Skyhawks so far. Deniusas averages 12.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game this season.

Another new player who has made his presence felt is freshman guard Filip Petkovski. Petkovski has assumed the role of primary ball handler in Shulman’s offense in late game situations, which shows the confidence the UT Martin coaching staff has in the young player.

Of the returning players, one has made huge strides. Junior forward Andrija Bukumirovic has grown into a budding star in the OVC. Bukumirovic averages 14.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game this season in a system that prioritizes many over one. In addition, Bukumirovic has shot a highly efficient 54.5% from the field this season.

After a snow-filled hiatus, the Skyhawks returned to the road to take on the Eastern Illinois Panthers in Charleston. Even following a loss, the blistering cold weather did not ice the Skyhawks as they found their way to a 76-68 win over the OVC rival Panthers.

After entering halftime tied 37-37, the Skyhawk began to separate themselves from the Panthers. The Skyhawks offensive efficiency was the story. They shot 53% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc, all in route to a eight point road victory.

Freshman Guard Damien King played a large role in the victory adding 17 points on 87.5% shooting.

UT Martin returned to the road Saturday to take on the Western Illinois Leathernecks. Following the momentum from the EIU game, The Skyhawks dominated the Leathernecks with a final score of 84-44. The Skyhawks had six players score eight or more points in the blowout.

Leading the charge for the Skyhawks was Petkovski with 17 points and eight rebounds. Another highly efficient night for Shulman’s team results in another Skyhawks win. UT Martin shot 52% from the field and out rebounded the Leathernecks 41-20.

UT Martin returns home to host the Little Rock Trojans on Feb. 3 with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. The Trojans enter the contest 9-13 with a 6-5 record in OVC play.