DETROIT, Mich. __ The Tuskegee men's basketball team will tip off its 2025–26 campaign on Thursday evening with an exhibition matchup against NCAA Division I opponent Eastern Michigan at Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit, Mich. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
The contest provides an early opportunity for head coach Benjy Taylor to evaluate both returning talent and new additions as the Golden Tigers prepare for another competitive year in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
Tuskegee is coming off a 16-14 season that included a trip to the SIAC Tournament championship game and a reputation as one of the league's toughest units, allowing just over 66 points per game while forcing more than 14 turnovers per contest.
"This is a great early test for our group," Taylor said. "Facing a quality Division I program like Eastern Michigan allows us to measure ourselves early and see where we can grow before conference play begins."
The Golden Tigers return a strong core of veteran players who bring experience and leadership to the lineup.
Tuskegee enters the season with one of the strongest returning cores in the SIAC, led by senior forward Kusamae Draper and junior guard Khalil Genwright, both named to the 2025 Preseason All-SIAC First Team.
Draper was the Golden Tigers' top scorer and rebounder last season, averaging 16.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 48 percent from the field. He posted double figures in 26 of 30 contests, recorded five double-doubles, and delivered standout performances that included a 29-point effort against Kentucky State and a 15-rebound showing versus Morehouse.
Genwright, who transferred from LeMoyne-Owen ahead of last season, also averaged 16.6 points per game while shooting an efficient 51 percent from the field and 76 percent from the free throw line. He reached double figures in 24 of 27 games and added nearly four rebounds and two assists per outing. Together, Draper and Genwright provide Tuskegee with one of the most balanced inside-out combinations in the conference.
The Golden Tigers also return senior guard RJ Walker, a versatile perimeter threat and emotional leader on both ends of the floor. Walker brings consistency and defensive toughness, averaging over 10 points and four rebounds per game last season while shooting nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc. His ability to space the floor and create plays adds a critical dimension to Tuskegee's offense.
Eastern Michigan enters the contest after finishing 9-9 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play and 16-16 overall in the 2024-25 season. The Eagles earned their first bid to the MAC Tournament since 2020 and returned to postseason competition in Cleveland for the first time since 2018.
Under fifth-year head coach Stan Heath, Eastern Michigan was picked ninth in the 2025-26 MAC Preseason Poll after tying for sixth last year. Heath holds a 47-78 record at EMU and a 256-285 career record over 18 seasons as a collegiate head coach.
This year's squad will look to replace several key contributors from last season, returning just 7.8 percent of minutes played and 2.9 percent of points scored. Despite the roster turnover, the Eagles feature nine players from the state of Michigan, their most since the 2022–23 season and will face a demanding nonconference schedule that includes road games at Pittsburgh, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Butler.
Following Thursday's exhibition, Tuskegee will return home for their final exhibition game before the official season opener, as they host Talladega for Macon County Day on Wednesday, November 5, inside of the Daniel "Chappie" James Arena.
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