Mid-Major Litmus Test: Tennessee State and Murray State Clash in Season Opener
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The Tigers and Racers bring revamped rosters to the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon as they seek to erase last season's postseason disappointments.
As first reported by CBS Sports, the Tennessee State Tigers and Murray State Racers will open the 2026-27 regular season on Monday. The matchup is part of the 2026 Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon and will take place at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Both programs enter the matchup looking to move past early postseason exits. Tennessee State (23-10 in 2025-26) tied for the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title last year but suffered a 108-74 loss to Iowa State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Midwest Region. Murray State (20-13) finished last season on a three-game skid, including a first-round exit from the NIT, after tying for third in the Missouri Valley Conference.
According to CBS Sports, both teams are utilizing the transfer portal to reshape their rosters. Tennessee State has added center Aaron Bradshaw, guard Arterio Morris—who averaged 11.5 points at Bethune-Cookman—and Ty-Laur Johnson, who averaged 14.6 points at San Diego. Murray State has brought in forward Brigham Rogers from Belmont, who averaged 3.9 rebounds and 7.1 points, along with guard Kaden Magwood from Auburn.
Murray State enters the contest as a 9.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 162.5 points, per CBS Sports reporting.