Murray State Opens Season Against Tennessee State in Sioux Falls

Murray State and Tennessee State begin their 2026-27 seasons on November 2 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Tipoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Eastern during the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon.

Both teams finished 20-13 or better last season. Tennessee State went 23-10, shared the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title with a 15-5 record and then lost 108-74 to Iowa State in the NCAA Tournament’s first round. Murray State was 20-13, placed level with the third-best Missouri Valley Conference record at 12-8 and ended its season with a first-round NIT loss after three consecutive defeats.

The teams have added transfers ahead of the opener. Tennessee State brings in guard Ty-Laur Johnson, who averaged 14.6 points per game at San Diego, and Arterio Morris, who averaged 11.5 at Bethune-Cookman, along with center Aaron Bradshaw. Murray State’s additions include Auburn guard Kaden Magwood and Belmont forward Brigham Rogers; Rogers averaged 7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists last season.

Published betting lines differed, with Murray State favored by 9.5 or 10.5 points and over/under totals ranging from 162.5 to 164.5. A SportsLine projection model picked the under at 162.5. Murray State averaged 83.1 points per game last season, while Tennessee State averaged 80.3.