Okay, so you think it’s tough to follow up a conference championship after 30+ years? Try doing it when you bring back just ONE rotational piece from that squad! But that’s exactly what Tennessee State head coach Nolan Smith pulled off. He didn’t just rebuild his roster, he rolled up with what’s being called the best portal class the OVC has seen since the transfer era kicked off. This isn’t just a rebuild, it’s a total reset, and it’s wild.
A Culture of Winning Attracts Serious Talent
Smith isn’t messing around. Of the 12 new guys coming in, four of ’em played significant minutes at power-conference schools. They’re all heading to Nashville looking for a fresh start and a shot at a title. Smith says these guys are all about winning, and that winning culture from last season helped Tennessee State sell itself big time. Getting to the great city of Nashville and building on that championship vibe? That’s what’s got these recruits hyped up, and you can tell Smith is feeling it.
McDonald’s All-Americans and an OVC Player of the Year Contender? Unreal.
First up, you got Ty-Laur Johnson, a transfer guard from San Diego. This dude has been all over, playing at Louisville and Wake Forest. Last year he dropped 14.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.3 steals for the Toreros. Now, he’s in the OVC, and he’s already garnering player of the year projections! This 6-foot senior playmaker is gonna make the offense sing for the Tigers.
And check this out, two former McDonald’s All-Americans are joining him! We’re talking Aaron Bradshaw, a 7-foot-1 center who can space the floor and rocks a 7-foot-4 wingspan, bringing some serious defensive muscle. He played at Kentucky, Ohio State, and Memphis. Then there’s Arterio Morris, adding even more length to the backcourt. This guy, from Texas and Bethune-Cookman, is gonna be a defensive force with his size and athleticism, a perfect complement to Johnson.
Rounding out this insane transfer class is fifth-year senior Josh Rivera, a 6-foot-6 wing from Seton Hall. He played 30 games for the Pirates, giving them a solid defensive boost. Get this, he’s the *only* player in the OVC who has received a court injunction to play! His addition should make this TSU team one of the best defensive rosters in *all* of mid-major basketball, let alone just the OVC. Smith is stoked for these guys to come show their talents in a really good league and for the coaches to maximize their full potential.
So, what’s next? After a conference championship and now this absolutely loaded roster, the stage is set for Nolan Smith’s Tigers to make some serious noise. With a projected OVC Player of the Year and multiple power-conference transfers bringing elite defense and athleticism, Tennessee State isn’t just looking to repeat, they’re looking to dominate. Get ready, OVC, because Tennessee State is coming at you with a totally revamped, super-talented squad ready to build on that winning legacy.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply