Thursday, March 5
Evansville, Ind.
6 p.m.
UT Martin
vs
Eastern Illinois
Skyhawks To Face Eastern Illinois In Thursday OVC Championship Quarterfinal
3/4/2026 8:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The No. 4 seed University of Tennessee at Martin men's basketball team found out its first Ohio Valley Conference Championship opponent tonight as the Skyhawks will take on the No. 8 Seed Eastern Illinois Panthers tomorrow. Tipoff from the Ford Center is set for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
UT Martin (21-10) earned a bye into the OVC Championship quarterfinals after going 13-7 in the league standings. The Skyhawks are making their second consecutive trip in the OVC Championship tournament under head coach Jeremy Shulman and 17th appearance in the event overall.
UT Martin swept the season series against Eastern Illinois and have won five straight matchups against the Panthers overall. All-OVC first teamer Andrija Bukumirović averaged team-highs of 14.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 2.0 steals per game against Eastern Illinois this season while OVC Freshman of the Year and all-league second teamer Matas Deniusas (12.0 points per game) and Afan Trnka (10.5 points per game) also averaged double figures scoring in helping the Skyhawks to a 65-61 home win on Jan. 3 and a 76-68 road victory on Jan. 29.
The Panthers defeated No. 5 SIUE by a 77-71 margin in overtime to open the 2026 OVC Men's Championship on Wednesday night. Zion Fruster (23 points), Kooper Jacobi (18 points), Terry McMorris (15 points, 13 rebounds) and Meechie White (10 points) led Eastern Illinois.
This will be the second time that UT Martin squares off against Eastern Illinois in OVC Championship history as the Skyhawks won by a 78-71 margin in the 2019 first round at the Ford Center.
To watch tomorrow's live video stream on ESPN+, listen to the WCMT 1410 AM/100.5 FM radio broadcast, follow along with live stats, browse UT Martin game notes, visit the OVC Championship Central webpage or view the OVC Championship digital program, access the links above.
UT Martin (21-10) earned a bye into the OVC Championship quarterfinals after going 13-7 in the league standings. The Skyhawks are making their second consecutive trip in the OVC Championship tournament under head coach Jeremy Shulman and 17th appearance in the event overall.
UT Martin swept the season series against Eastern Illinois and have won five straight matchups against the Panthers overall. All-OVC first teamer Andrija Bukumirović averaged team-highs of 14.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 2.0 steals per game against Eastern Illinois this season while OVC Freshman of the Year and all-league second teamer Matas Deniusas (12.0 points per game) and Afan Trnka (10.5 points per game) also averaged double figures scoring in helping the Skyhawks to a 65-61 home win on Jan. 3 and a 76-68 road victory on Jan. 29.
The Panthers defeated No. 5 SIUE by a 77-71 margin in overtime to open the 2026 OVC Men's Championship on Wednesday night. Zion Fruster (23 points), Kooper Jacobi (18 points), Terry McMorris (15 points, 13 rebounds) and Meechie White (10 points) led Eastern Illinois.
This will be the second time that UT Martin squares off against Eastern Illinois in OVC Championship history as the Skyhawks won by a 78-71 margin in the 2019 first round at the Ford Center.
To watch tomorrow's live video stream on ESPN+, listen to the WCMT 1410 AM/100.5 FM radio broadcast, follow along with live stats, browse UT Martin game notes, visit the OVC Championship Central webpage or view the OVC Championship digital program, access the links above.
Players Mentioned
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