The Cleveland State men's basketball team will open with Jackson State Greenjays in the  TCCAA/NJCAA Region VII Tournament on Friday, February 25, at 4p.m. (CST). Dyersburg State will be host to the week long basketball tournament for both men and women. The Cougars finished with a 7-9 conference record and overall mark of 10-12 to earn the 7th seed.  They will need four wins in five days to move on to the NJCAA National Tournment in Kansas. The Cougars last apperence in the NJCAA NAtional Basketball Tournament was 2019 where they were a seeded 24th  as the TCCAA State Tournament Champion.

On the regualr season, Cleveland State split their series with Jackson State men, losing the first game by four points at Jackson, before winning in overtime at home, 91-88.  The Cougars have averaged 64.2 points a game this season, averaged 33.6 rebounds, and 9.2 assists.  They had a field goal shooting percentage of 41.5% and free throw percentage of 67.9% at the line.

Jackson averaged 70.3 points a game with 30.2 rebounds and 15.1 assists.  They had a field goal percentage of 43.0% while making 63.5% of their free throws.

Leading the Cougras this season has been K'Juan Banks who averages 15.2 points per game and a field goal percentage of 43.7%.  Miguel Shaw led the team with 5.8 rebounds, and Khris Green was 6th in conference with an average of 3.2 assists a contest.  Marcus Averhart was third in the league in three point percentage, he connected on 42.% of his shots from behind the arc.

Competition on the Cougar side of the bracket includes Columbia State, Roane State, and Chattanooga State.  Against those opponents, the Cougars were in close games with all three; losing twice to both Columbia State and Roane State, and losing a single game to Chattanooga.

Fans who are unable to make the trip will be able to view the games through Jock Jive Sports Network, all games of the both men's and women's tournaments will be streamed at Jockjivesports.com.