Iowa State is gearing up for a thrilling March Madness showdown as a No. 2 seed against the Ohio Valley Conference champions, Tennessee State. The Tigers, making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since the early '90s, come in as a No. 15 seed. Under the fresh leadership of head coach Nolan Smith, who previously honed his skills as an assistant in the ACC, Tennessee State is ready to make some noise.
Smith's squad is spearheaded by Ohio Valley Player of the Year Aaron Nkrumah and Khalil London. Adding to the mix is Memphis transfer Dante Harris, who followed Smith to Tennessee State, alongside key contributors like Travis Harper, Antoine Lorick, and Jalen Pitre.
The action unfolds at St. Louis' Enterprise Center, a convenient spot for Iowa State fans to rally behind their Cyclones.
Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger expressed excitement about playing close to home, highlighting the advantage for their fan base.
Tennessee State's journey to the tournament has been a long time coming. After 32 years, they're back, and the excitement is palpable.
Smith, who joined the team in mid-July, quickly gelled with a roster largely retained from the previous season, with Harris being a notable addition. The Tigers are entering the tournament on a hot streak, boasting a six-game winning run and victories in nine of their last ten outings.
Smith's success in his debut season can be attributed to his winning mentality, shaped by his experiences under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski and a stint with Penny Hardaway. He recognized the team's potential and focused on tightening their defense and enhancing leadership accountability.
With players like Nkrumah and Harper stepping up, Smith has cultivated a culture where players thrive by focusing solely on basketball. This approach has turned Tennessee State into a formidable contender this season.