By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
MARTIN, Tenn. – The longest road trip of the 2021-22 University of Tennessee at Martin men’s basketball season takes place this weekend as the Skyhawks are one of four teams in the Paradise Classic held in Boca Raton, Fla. UT Martin will face event host Florida Atlantic at 5 p.m. CST on Friday, Nov. 19, Troy at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20 and North Dakota at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21.
The Skyhawks are 2-0 all-time against Florida Atlantic, including a 57-48 decision in their last visit to FAU Arena on Dec. 29, 2015. UT Martin is 18-23 in the all-time series against Troy although the two squads have not met since Feb. 8, 1992. The Skyhawks own a 1-1 all-time record against North Dakota as Sunday’s matchup will be the first between the two sides since Dec. 5, 1980.
This trip serves as a homecoming of sorts for a handful of UT Martin players and staff. KJ Simon (Orlando) and Bernie Andre (North Miami Beach) are returning to their home states while four Skyhawks played collegiately in the Sunshine State (Simon at Bethune-Cookman, Andre at FIU, Josh Endicott at North Florida, David Didenko at Palm Beach State). Head coach Ryan Ridder spent the last eight years in Daytona Beach as head coach of Daytona State College (2013-17) and Bethune-Cookman (2017-21). Ridder and assistant coach Denver Cobb were collegiate teammates at Embry-Riddle while associate head coach Matt Sligh (hometown of Lakeland) and graduate manager Garrett Sams (standout playing career at North Florida) additionally have ties to the area.
UT Martin (1-1) claimed its first victory of the 2021-22 season last Saturday, breezing past Miami Hamilton by a 94-66 margin at home. Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week KK Curry racked up game-highs of 22 points, nine rebounds and three blocks as Simon (20), Darius Simmons (19) and Chris Nix (13) also scored in double figures.
Florida Atlantic (1-2) was dealt a heartbreaking 68-66 home loss to Miami on Tuesday, falling on a driving layup with 0.7 seconds remaining. The Owls have posted three consecutive winning seasons for the first time in their NCAA Division I history (since 1994).
On Tuesday, Troy (2-1) posted its first-ever triple-overtime victory, knocking off Jacksonville State by a score of 69-65. The Trojans rank four nationally in turnovers forced (24.0 per game) and sixth in the country in steals (13.0 per contest).
North Dakota (1-1) is coming off its first win of the season, a thrilling 79-77 triumph on Monday over Montana. Trailing by 14 points with just under eight minutes to go, Caleb Nero sank a game-winning layup with three seconds left.
Graphic Courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information