DYERSBURG, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Dyersburg State Eagles and Shawnee Saints will open their 2025-26 men’s junior college basketball seasons against one another on Friday, Oct. 31.

Both teams enter the contest with 0-0 records, looking for a fresh start after their 2023-24 campaigns ended with losses in March. Dyersburg State fell 97-76 to Southwest Tennessee on March 8, 2024, while Shawnee lost 66-57 to Wabash Valley on March 11, 2024.

The Halloween night matchup in Ullin, Illinois, will be the first of a home-and-home series between the programs this season. They are scheduled to meet again at Dyersburg State on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.

For the Eagles, the game begins a challenging early schedule. They will travel to face Northwest Mississippi on Nov. 4 before hosting Pellissippi State on Nov. 8.

The Saints will follow their opener with a home game against Itawamba on Nov. 10 before a road test at Volunteer State on Nov. 17.

The season opener will provide the first look at both teams’ new rosters as they seek to build momentum for their respective conference schedules.