Tuesday, March 3rd, 8:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Elam Center (5,000) -- Martin, Tennessee. Television: None. Home Record: TTU 8-7, UT-Martin 11-3. Away Record: TTU 4-10, UT-Martin 9-5. Neutral Record: TTU 0-0, UT-Martin 1-0. Conference Record: TTU 6-12, UT- Martin 14-4. Series Record: Tennessee Tech leads, 28-9.

GAME NOTES: The top-seeded Tennessee Martin Skyhawks will begin their run through the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament this evening when the team battles the eighth-seeded Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in the first round at the Elam Center. The Golden Eagles snapped a seven-game losing skid with a 91-74 victory over Jacksonville State in their season-finale. It was just the sixth conference win for Tennessee Tech, but it also placed the team in the OVC Tournament. As for the Skyhawks they claimed their first-ever OVC regular- season title, thanks to their 14-4 league record. UT-Martin has won 15 of its last 17 contests, including two victories in a row. Tennessee Tech holds a commanding, 28-9 edge over the Skyhawks in the all-time series, but UT-Martin won both matchups this season.

The Golden Eagles did not enjoy much success this season, but Tennessee Tech does possess some solid scorers however, as the team is netting 73.6 ppg on the year, which is good enough for third in the OVC. Daniel Northern has proven to be one of the best frontcourt players in the league and is posting 12.4 ppg and a team-best 8.6 rpg. Frank Davis, who is shooting a strong 43.0 percent from behind the arc, is netting 10.1 points, while Will Bynum is also chipping in 10.1 ppg. Tennessee Tech flexed its offensive muscle in its recent victory over JSU, as the Golden Eagles soared to 91 points behind a 53.6 percent shooting effort and a 29-of-30 clip from the foul line. Northern posted 22 points and eight boards in the win, while Kevin Murphy and Will Barnes tallied 21 and 12 points, respectively.

The Skyhawks' tremendous season has plenty to do with the play of Lester Hudson, who is currently second in the nation with 26.6 ppg. However, Hudson does much more than just score point at a rapid pace. The guard is also leading the team in rebounds (7.7 rpg), assists (121) and steals (70). Hudson is the top player on a UT-Martin squad that is extremely dangerous, averaging a conference best 79.1 ppg. Marquis Weddle, who scored 30 points in the team's season-finale win over Morehead State is the only other player posting double figures, as the guard is contributing 14.5 ppg. The win over the Eagles was the second straight victory for UT-Martin, which heads into this matchup with a strong 11-3 mark at home.

The Skyhawks have gotten through the season on top of the Ohio Valley Conference, but now comes the tough part, getting through tournament play. UT-Martin should have no trouble getting past a TTU squad that has struggled through most of the year.

Predicted Outcome

Tennessee Martin 79, Tennessee Tech 66