Fans of the University of Tennessee at Martin men’s basketball program can get their first peek of the 2019-20 squad on Thursday, Oct. 31 when the Skyhawks host Earlham College for an exhibition in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. Admission is free for the game that will start at 7 p.m. A link for live stats can be found at the top of the webpage.
UT Martin head coach Anthony Stewart brings back five players – including a trio of starters – from last season’s squad that earned an Ohio Valley Conference Championship tournament first-round victory. The Skyhawks were tabbed to finish fifth in the league’s preseason poll and have been picked as high as third in both Blue Ribbon and Lindy’s Sports national magazines.
The UT Martin senior duo of Quintin Dove and Craig Randall II were each voted to the Preseason All-OVC squad. Dove chalked up All-OVC second team status last season after averaging 13.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per outing, ranking 24th nationally with a .597 field goal percentage. Randall tossed in 16.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals over 12 games last spring, connecting on 84.6 percent (22-for-26) of his tries from the charity stripe.
Located in Richmond, Ind., Earlham College competes at the NCAA Division III level. Last season, the Quakers posted their most Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference victories since 2005-06 and return all-conference honoree Jamel Barnes, Jr. (11.9 points per game as a sophomore last season).
The Skyhawks officially start the 2019-20 campaign on Tuesday, Nov. 5 when they host St. Louis College of Pharmacy at 7 p.m. To purchase season tickets, visit UTMSports.com/tickets or call Fran Spears at (731) 881-7207.
