Challenging schedule to prep Tech men's basketball in 2025-26 slate
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It’ll be a challenging schedule ahead for the Tennessee Tech men’s basketball team, but that’s what the Golden Eagles are looking for as they’ll be battle-tested before the Ohio Valley Conference schedule begins. The OVC announced the league schedule on Thursday, while the Golden Eagles released the remainder of their slate in conjunction with the conference release. Game times and special events will be announced at a later date.
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It'll be a challenging schedule ahead for the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team, but that's what the Golden Eagles are looking for as they'll be battle-tested before the Ohio Valley Conference schedule begins.
The OVC announced the league schedule on Thursday, while the Golden Eagles released the remainder of their slate in conjunction with the conference release. Game times and special events will be announced at a later date.
"We are excited to announce our schedule for the upcoming season," said Tennessee Tech men's basketball head coach John Pelphrey. "Every game is an opportunity to grow, compete and represent Tennessee Tech the right way. We have built a challenging non-conference slate that will test us early and prepare us for the battles in OVC play. Our goal is to keep building momentum and give our fans something to be proud of every time we take the floor."
Challenging is an understatement. With non-conference games that include former conference foe Belmont, traditional powers in Western Kentucky and Charlotte, USC Upstate and West Georgia who are making big strides with their programs – oh, and two Southeastern Conference powers in Kentucky and Georgia – there's a lot to be excited with the Golden Eagles' non-conference contests.
Then there's the Ohio Valley Conference. It's not far removed from the heartbreak of the OVC championship game against Southeast Missouri a couple of seasons ago. The Golden Eagles proved that they are right there and with a lot of talent entering the Hooper Eblen Center this season, the Tech men look primed to make that run.
The season begins with a couple of preseason exhibitions as South Carolina Central Christian comes to Cookeville on Oct. 21, then the Golden Eagles head to Belmont on Oct. 27 for a preseason tilt.
It all begins in earnest as the Golden Eagles hit the road for the first two official games of the season, starting with a trip up to Bowling Green to take on Western Kentucky on Nov. 3, then over to North Carolina to take on the Charlotte 49ers.
Tech opens up The Hoop for the first of three straight contests on Nov. 10 as the Golden Eagles host Virginia-Lynchburg, Berea and West Georgia – the latter the front end of a home-and-home series with the return game on Dec. 6.
The Golden Eagles then will be road tested as they will take on five straight away games, starting with USC Upstate on Nov. 19, a trip to fabled Rupp Arena to take on Kentucky on Nov. 26, followed by a run down to Athens to face Georgia on Nov. 29 to close out the Thanksgiving weekend. Tech will then swing back up to Nashville to take on Lipscomb on Dec. 3, followed by the return game at West Georgia on Dec. 6.
Tech will close out 2025 with four straight home games, including the first three OVC contests as Bethel comes to The Hoop on Dec. 13 with league play beginning with a visit from Southeast Missouri on Dec. 18, UT Martin on Dec. 20 and Tennessee State on Dec. 30.
The Golden Eagles will ring in the new year with a visit to Little Rock on New Year's Day, then travel to Eastern Illinois on Jan. 8 and Western Illinois on Jan. 10. Tech returns home for battles against Southern Indiana (Jan. 15) and Morehead State (Jan. 17), then on the road for three at Lindenwood (Jan. 22), SIUE (Jan. 24) and Tennessee State (Jan. 27).
Tech gets a trio of home games against Little Rock (Jan. 31), Western Illinois (Feb. 5) and Eastern Illinois (Feb. 7), before hitting the road Feb. 12 at Morehead State and Feb. 14 at Southern Indiana.
The final home games of the campaign feature SIUE (Feb. 19) and Lindenwood (Feb. 21), while the last road games of the regular season are on Feb. 26 at UT Martin and Feb. 28 at Southeast Missouri to bookend the league slate.
The OVC Basketball Championships will be held from March 4 to March 7 at Evansville's Ford Center.
Season tickets are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.
File photo | Jim Dillon
