The Smalls of Mississippi

• Alcorn State University returns just one starter, All-SWAC forward LeAntwan Luckett, from last year's 10-24 team. The Braves head coach Luther Riley has recruited some size to Lorman with junior college transfers Josh Nicolas (7-0), Stephane Raquil (6-10) and Shantardrick Hester (6-8). Alcorn State's only shot at reaching the Big Dance is by winning the SWAC Tournament.
• Mississippi Valley State University has one of the toughest coaching jobs. Head coach Chico Potts must try to win games facing a second straight postseason ban and, to make matters worse, without last year's SWAC leading scorer Davon Usher, who transferred. Potts hopes to improve on last year's 5-23 with junior college transfer Anthony McDonald and returning player Matt Smith.
• Tougaloo College enters its second year with Harvey Wardell as head coach. His first campaign finished with an 8-18 record. The Bulldogs feature Denzel Hardy, who made the Preseason All-Conference Team in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Conference coaches picked Tougaloo to finish sixth in the conference.

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Memphis Basketball Notes vs. Jackson State

Saturday, December 28 - 11 a.m. CT | FedExForum
Jackson State Tigers (4-7, 0-0 SWAC) vs.
#17 Memphis Tigers (8-2, 0-0 The American)
Tigers On TV/Radio/Web
Television: ESPNU (Adam Amin, play-by-play; Mark Adams, analyst)/Memphis Comcast channel 228
Radio: WREC 600 AM (Dave Woloshin, play-by-play; Matt Dillon, color analyst; Forrest Goodman, studio host)
Web:WatchESPN (ESPN3.com)

SETTING THE SCENE• Memphis (8-2, 0-0 The American) returns to action after the Christmas break to host Jackson State (4-7, 0-0 SWAC) Saturday, Dec. 28. ESPNU is televising Saturday's 11 a.m. (CT) contest from FedExForum.
• The Memphis-Jackson State game also can be viewed via the web at ESPN3.com/WatchESPN.
• The Tigers remained in both national polls Dec. 23. Memphis dropped down to the No. 17 spot in both the Associated Press and USA Todaycoaches polls. Jackson State is not ranked. • Memphis enters Saturday's contest having won seven of its last eight games. The seven victories came over Nicholls, Siena, LSU, No. 5/8 Oklahoma State, Northwestern State, UALR and Southeast Missouri. The Tigers' lone loss in that stretch was a narrow 77-75 setback to No. 16/17 Florida in the 2013 Jimmy V Classic. • The Tigers are 5-0 at FedExForum this season, averaging over 85 points a game (87.8 ppg) in the five home wins. • Memphis returns three starters, but only five letterwinners from last year's squad. • Saturday's contest is the Jackson State Tigers' ninth road game in 2013-14. • Jackson State returns only one starter and two letterwinners from last year's squad.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS• Jackson State enters Saturday's non-conference clash with a 4-7 overall record.
• The Tigers bring a two-game win streak into Saturday's match-up. Jackson State's last two wins were over Evansville and Louisiana-Lafayette.
• Of Jackson State's seven losses, four were by single digits.
• Jackson State is playing its ninth road game Saturday. The Tigers are 3-5 on the road.
• Jackson State was picked to finish fifth in the 2013-14 SWAC preseason coaches/sports information directors poll.
• Julysses Nobles leads three Tigers averaging double figures at 16.8 ppg. Nobles is the SWAC's third-leading scorer.
• Brandon West (11.4 ppg) and Javeres Brent (10.4 ppg) also are averaging double digits in the scoring column.
• West leads Jackson State on the glass with an 11.2 rebounding average. He is the SWAC's only players averaging double-figure rebounds.
• Nobles is the team's top playmaker with 40 assists (3.6 apg). He also leads the Tigers with 17 steals.
• Brent is Jackson State's top three-point threat, hitting 38.2 percent from the arc.
• The Tigers are shooting 40.9 percent from the field, 29.9 percent from the arc and 72 percent from the free throw line.
• Jackson State is out-rebounding its opponents by margin of +2.0 boards per game (35.8-33.8).
• Wayne Brent, a former high school head coach in Jackson, Miss., is in his first season as Jackson State's head coach.

BLUFF CITY VERSUS CROSSROADS OF THE SOUTH
• When the two Tigers teams meet Saturday, city pride will be on the line.
• Both squads -- Memphis and Jackson State -- are well represented by local talent.
• Jackson State has eight players on its roster from the Jackson, Miss., area. Jackson, Miss., also is known as the Crossroads of the South.
• On the Tigers' side, eight players hail from the Memphis area. Chris Crawford, Markel Crawford, Trey Draper, Joe Jackson, Nick King and Jake McDowell all are from Memphis, also know as the Bluff City. Sophomore Anthony Cole is from Arlington and freshman Austin Nichols is from Collierville, both suburbs of Memphis.

DO YOU REMEMBER?
• For many Tigers fans, they may know, but here's the question anyway.
• Name the opponent Memphis played in Josh Pastner's first game as the Tigers head coach?
• The answer: Jackson State.
• In his first game not only as the Tigers head coach but also his first as a collegiate head coach, Pastner directed Memphis to an 82-53 victory over Jackson State Nov. 13, 2009.

BRENT SUCCESS VERSUS MEMPHIS
• Although Saturday's contest is his first as a head coach against Memphis, Jackson State head coach Wayne Brent has faced the Tigers four previous times as an assistant at Ole Miss from 1998-2002.
• With Brent on the Rebels bench, Ole Miss won three of the four encounters over Memphis.
• Another note on Brent: As the Callaway High School head coach in 2012-13, he brought his Chargers squad by a Memphis practice last season. That Callaway squad won the state title.

HOLDING `EM IN THE FORTIES• The last time Memphis and Jackson State met Nov. 28, 2011, the hometown Tigers held the visitors to 45 points in a 70-45 victory at FedExForum.
• The 45 points is tied for the second-fewest points scored against Memphis in the Josh Pastner era.
• The Tigers also held SMU and UAB to 45 points in 2011-12.
• The fewest points allowed by Memphis in the Pastner era were 40 by Centenary (104-40 win) in the 2010-11 season opener (Nov. 12, 2010).

THE CROWD FACTOR
• FedExForum has been a great homecourt for Memphis, and Saturday could provide more of an advantage.
• For the first time in 2013-14, Jackson State could play before a crowd larger than 10,000.
• To date, the largest crowd Jackson State played in front of was 9,042 in a 94-70 loss at Colorado Nov. 16.
• In their eight previous road games, the Jackson State Tigers played before an average crowd of 4,204.
• In its five home games at FedExForum this season, Memphis is averaging 15,552 fans.


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COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

HOLDING `EM IN THE FORTIES
• The last time Memphis and Jackson State met Nov. 28, 2011, the hometown Tigers held the visitors to 45 points in a 70-45 victory at FedExForum.
• The 45 points is tied for the second-fewest points scored against Memphis in the Josh Pastner era.
• The Tigers also held SMU and UAB to 45 points in 2011-12.
• The fewest points allowed by Memphis in the Pastner era were 40 by Centenary (104-40 win) in the 2010-11 season opener (Nov. 12, 2010).

THE CROWD FACTOR
• FedExForum has been a great homecourt for Memphis, and Saturday could provide more of an advantage.
• For the first time in 2013-14, Jackson State could play before a crowd larger than 10,000.
• To date, the largest crowd Jackson State played in front of was 9,042 in a 94-70 loss at Colorado Nov. 16.
• In their eight previous road games, the Jackson State Tigers played before an average crowd of 4,204.
• In its five home games at FedExForum this season, Memphis is averaging 15,552 fans.

SWAC Updates Basketball Television Schedule

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Southwestern Athletic Conference updated its 2013-14 men and women’s basketball television schedule for the season. The remaining television schedule features eight games on ESPN networks including 10 contests on the SWAC Digital Network (SDN).

The line-up of networks to feature SWAC basketball includes: ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN3, FOX Sports Network, FOX SportsSouth, CSS, CSN Houston, Big Ten Network, PAC-12 Network, and Comcast Sports Net.

Four men’s SWAC conference games will air on ESPNU. The match ups slated features: Southern at Texas Southern (Jan. 6), Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Texas Southern (Jan. 27), Prairie View A&M at Alabama A&M (Feb. 3) and Mississippi Valley State at Southern (Feb. 17).

SDN will broadcast five men and women conference double-headers including: Jackson State at Alcorn State (Jan. 11), Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M (Feb. 8), Alabama State at Alabama A&M (Feb. 15) and Alcorn State at Alabama A&M (Feb. 24).

The broadcast schedule closes out in Houston, Texas at the 2014 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament.

The women and men's championship game will be shown live March 15. The women on ESPN3 at noon with tape delay slated for Sunday (March 16) at 4 p.m. on ESPNU. The men’s final is set to air live on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m. All times are central.

2013-14 SWAC BASKETBALL TELEVISION SCHEDULE
DATE GAME TIME NETWORK

Dec. 27 Mississippi Valley State at Washington 6:30 p.m. PAC-12
Dec. 28 Jackson State at Memphis 11:00 a.m. ESPNU
Dec. 28 Prairie View A&M at Wisconsin 1:00 p.m. ESPNU
Dec. 29 Texas Southern at TCU 1:00 p.m. FOX Sports
Dec. 30 Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Auburn 7:00 p.m. CSS
Jan. 06 Southern at Texas Southern 8:00 p.m. ESPNU
Jan. 11 Jackson State at Alcorn State* 3:00 p.m. SDN
Jan. 27 Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Texas Southern 8:00 p.m. ESPNU
Feb. 03 Prairie View A&M at Alabama A&M 8:00 p.m. ESPNU
Feb. 08 Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M* 3:00 p.m. SDN
Feb. 15 Alabama State at Alabama A&M* 3:00 p.m. SDN
Feb. 17 Mississippi Valley State at Southern 8:00 p.m. ESPNU
Feb. 24 Alcorn State at Alabama A&M* 3:00 p.m. SDN
Mar. 01 Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Grambling State* 3:00 p.m. SDN

Mar. 15 2014 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament Women's Championship
12:00 p.m. ESPN3
Mar. 15 2014 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament Men's Championship
3:30 p.m. ESPN2
Mar. 16 REPLAY: 2014 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament Women's Championship
4:00 p.m. ESPNU



COURTESY SWAC.ORG

Basketball: Spartans resume practice with heads high

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- There was no shortage of lessons to be learned by Norfolk State from Monday’s 66-56 loss at Virginia:

Sloppiness won’t fly against an elite opponent; it really helps when shots fall; playing with top scorers in foul trouble is unwise; and developing a reliable half-court offense would be a good idea.

But the biggest takeaway could be that things aren’t as bad as they might have seemed.



The jet-setting Spartans (8-5) return to the practice court Thursday to prepare for the end of a trying — but wholly interesting — four-game road swing. After a brief holiday break, they’ll practice again Friday and leave Saturday for Monday’s game at Hawaii, which follows an 86-82 overtime win at Boston University, a 70-67 loss at Seattle University and Monday’s brief foray into the Atlantic Coast Conference — all in a span of 15 days.

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Hampton job has Maynor ‘excited,’ Division I challenge awaits Pirates coach

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

HAMPTON, Virginia  -- Connell Maynor is stepping up to Division I competition at  Hampton University.

Maynor, who left Division II Winston-Salem State last week, led the Rams for the past four years., with three CIAA championships, three NCAA Division II playoff appearances and a national runner-up title under his tenure. He replaces Donovan Rose.

Maynor, who also interviewed for the N.C. Central opening, led WSSU to a 45-6 overall record and 29-2 in the CIAA. The program had gone 1-10 the season prior to his arrival, but was in the process of return to Division II after a failed attempt at Division I reclassification.

“I am very excited about having a ...

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ASU's Jackson, Seahawks Seek No. 1 NFC Seed - NFL Report

Tarvaris Jackson is one of four former Alabama State football standouts on NFL rosters.

SEATTLE, Washington  -- Former Alabama State star Tarvaris Jackson and the Seattle Seahawks will seek the top seed in the NFC in the final regular season game this Sunday at home against St. Louis.

Jackson, in his eighth NFL season, has played in three games this season as the No. 2 quarterback to starter Russell Wilson. Jackson has completed 10 of 13 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown for the 12-3 Seahawks, who need a win to clinch the NFC West title, a first-round bye, and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Another former Hornet QB, Greg Jenkins, is playing wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders and is the team's primary returner on punts and kickoffs. Jenkins, who began the season on the practice squad and was promoted to the 53-man roster in mid-November, is averaging 9.6 yards on five punt returns, and just over 22 yards on 10 kickoff returns. Jenkins scored his first career NFL touchdown on a fumble return on the opening play of the game against Dallas on Thanksgiving Day. The Raiders finish the season at home Sunday against Denver.

Former ASU standouts Terren Jones and Saeed Lee will complete the regular season with the Atlanta Falcons at home Sunday against Carolina. Jones was promoted from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster in late November and the offensive lineman is awaiting his first action in a regular season game. Lee has been on injured reserve with the Falcons throughout the 2013 season.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Fisk Jubilee Singers at Duke University

DURHAM, North Carolina -- In October 2013, Duke Performances brought the Fisk Jubilee Singers® to Duke and Durham for a four-day residency to share the tradition of Negro spirituals. Dr. Paul T. Kwami, musical director of the Jubilee Singers, worked with over 500 singers from the Durham School of the Arts and Duke University.

Seventy-five choral students from Durham School of the Arts performed with the Jubilee Singers at the culminating sold-out concert at Duke's Baldwin Auditorium. Dr. Kwami also participated in a panel discussion on the history and influence of the Jubilee Singers at Duke's Forum for Scholars and Publics, with Professor Maurice Jackson, and Rev. Dr. Luke Powery, dean of Duke Chapel.

COURTESY FISK UNIVERSITY & DUKE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

A&M's Robert Mathis breaks Colts' franchise sack record

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- Robert Mathis hasn't done too bad for fifth-round draft choice.

Sunday, the 32-year-old linebacker and Alabama A&M product broke the Indianapolis Colts' franchise sack with a stop of Houston Texans' quarterback Case Keenum in the third quarter of his team's 25-3 win.

It gave him an NFL-best 16.5 sacks on the season, also a team record, and 108 on his career to pass the previous mark set by former teammate Dwight Freeney.

He forced a fumble on the play which was recovered by one of his teammates for a safety as the first-place Indianapolis improved to 9-5 heading into a big match up against Kansas City next week.

Click here to watch the record-setting play. 

Mathis, an 11-year veteran, has 49 tackles and six forced fumbles on the season.

"I enjoyed it to the utmost," Mathis told Colts.com, "Never take it for granted because it is such an accomplishment. I'm just happy to have it."



COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Fisk Jubilee Singers Alumni Association

"He's The Messiah" - Morgan State University Choir

Merry Christmas from the Franklins - Morehouse College

Bluefield State College Blues Accepted as Full Member to Eastern College Athletic Conference

CENTERVILLE, Massachusetts -- Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Commissioner Dr. Kevin T. McGinnis announced on Dec. 12, 2013 that Bluefield State College has been granted membership by the ECAC Board of Directors. Bluefield State College is eligible for all ECAC Championships, awards, officiating services and other benefits effective immediately.

With the addition of Bluefield State, the ECAC is now comprised of 306 member institutions competing in NCAA Divisions I, II and III.

The ECAC provides the opportunity for a championship experience by conducting high-level tournaments and events. The conference enhances the student-athlete experience by professionally administering nearly 100 preseason and postseason events in 37 men's and women's sports for over 120,000 student-athletes each year. The ECAC also publicizes the achievements of its member institutions' student-athletes through its weekly and postseason awards program, recognizing more than 2,500 student-athletes annually.

The ECAC also conducts the weekly Lambert Meadowlands Football Poll and distributes other information highlighting accomplishments and contributions of member institutions' student-athletes, coaches, and administrators.

"Bluefield State College looks forward to competing as a full member of the Eastern College Athletic Conference" said Bluefield State College President Dr. Marsha V. Krotseng. "I'm very impressed with the Conference and its leadership. The ECAC has a proud 75-year history and is an excellent fit for BSC's athletic prdgram and our student athletes."

"BSC Athletic Director Terry Brown affirmed, "The Bluefield State College Athletic Department is extremely honored to be accepted into the ECAC NCAA Division II Athletic Conference. The ECAC philosophy mirrors BSC's commitment to the student athlete's welfare. ECAC, like BSC, has a major overall emphasis on positive student athlete experience that includes: graduation, student athlete individual recognition, team recognition, post season play, and post season championship."

Bluefield State competes in NCAA Division II, and the ECAC will assist with the College's national letters of intent, coaching certification and other services. The Blues will be able to qualify for ECAC championship play and earn awards in each of its sport offerings -- men 's and women's cross country, men's and women 's tennis, women's volleyball, men's and women 's basketball, men's golf, baseball, and softball.

"Bluefield State College is a welcome addition to the ECAC," said McGinnis. "We look forward to providing service to their administration, coaches, and student-athletes. The addition of Bluefield State College strengthens our NCAA Division II membership while expanding our footprint in the state of West Virginia."

About the ECAC
The ECAC is the nation's largest athletic and the only multi-divisional conference in the country with more than 300 Divisions I, II, and III colleges and universities. The ECAC stretches from Maine to North Carolina and westerly to Colorado. Established in 1938, the ECAC, a non-profit service organization, sponsors nearly 100 championships in 37 men's and women's sports and assigns more than 4,400 officials in 12 sports. The ECAC also administers nine affiliate sports organizations and six playing leagues, and through the public relations arm of the conference, more than 2,500 student-athletes in 23 sports are recognized annually. Finally, the ECAC serves as the primary conference for select members in the sports of men's and women's ice hockey and men's lacrosse.

COURTESY BLUEFIELD STATE COLLEGE SPORTS ADMINISTRATION

Morgan State University first snow 2013

Happy Holidays All, From Howard University!!!

JUCO Transfer QB Billerman Signs with NCCU Football As Coach Mack's First Recruit

QUINN BILLERMAN, QUARTERBACK
6'-3" 215 lbs.
NEW MEXICO MILITARY INSTITUTE
(Courtesy NCCU Eagles Athletics)

DURHAM, North Carolina  -- New North Carolina Central University head football coach Jerry Mack wasted little time securing his first recruit.

Mack was announced as the Eagles' gridiron leader on Thursday (Dec. 19). On Monday (Dec. 23), former Ravenscroft High School quarterback and New Mexico Military Institute transfer Quinn Billerman signed a national letter of intent to attend NCCU.  Family and friends gathered at Ravenscroft in Raleigh, N.C., to witness the signing.

"Quinn is the type of quarterback that can dissect the defense, make all the throws and is intelligent," said Mack. "He ran a similar style of offense at NMMI, so the transition should be an easy one for Quinn as he comes into our system."

In three seasons at Ravenscroft, Billerman became the Ravens' all-time leading passer with 6,152 yards and 62 touchdown passes from 2009-11. He capped his scholastic career by being named to the 2011 NCISAA Football Division I All-State Team.
Billerman is coming off a record-breaking sophomore season at New Mexico Military Institute. He set new single-season standards with 2,962 passing yards and 34 passing touchdowns in 2013. The 6-3, 215-pound signal caller completed 176-of-335 passes (52.5%), averaged 246.8 passing yards per game and led the Broncos to an 8-4 overall record.

During his record-breaking campaign, Billerman threw for a season-high 494 yards and six touchdowns versus Scottsdale Community College on Oct. 5, completing a season-best 23 passes on 39 attempts. In the final game of the 2013 season, he was named Offensive MVP of the El Toro Bowl by completing 21 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Arizona Western on Dec. 7.

As a freshman at NMMI, Billerman passed for 1,938 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 176.2 passing yards per contest during the team's 6-5 season.

"We're really excited to add a young man of such high character, solid academics and extraordinary physical ability," Mack said. "We're excited about Quinn being our first signee in this new era of NCCU football."

Billerman is expected to enroll for the spring semester at NCCU starting in early January.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU's Fitzpatrick Named AFCA FCS Coaches' All-American

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- Tennessee State football player Daniel Fitzpatrick was named to the 2013 AFCA Football Championship Subdivision Coaches’ All-America Team announced today by the American Football Coaches Association. 

The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best — the coaches themselves.

 

Fitzpatrick made the squad following a season in which he picked off six passes during the regular season and added two more in the team's first round FCS Playoff victory over Butler. The eight total interceptions currently leads all Division I players (FBS or FCS). Of those eight interceptions the junior returned three for touchdowns, scoring a 50-yarder against Jackson State in the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis, returning what proved to be the game-winner 20 yards at UT Martin and a 26-yarder at Butler.

He added a season-high nine tackles twice during the season, in a victory at nationally-ranked Jacksonville State and against nationally-ranked Eastern Illinois in the playoffs.

Fitzpatrick anchored a secondary that ranked third nationally in total passes intercepted (21) and a defense that was sixth nationally in total defense (296.9 yards/game) and seventh in scoring defense (18.1 points/game).

The strong safety finished the year with 75 tackles (52 solo), 5.5 TFL and eight pass breakups, leading TSU to a playoff victory for the first time since 1986.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Morgan State Bears Begin West Coast Swing at Cal-Northridge on Friday Night

Friday, Dec. 27, 2013
Opponent: Cal-Northridge (7-5, 0-0 Big West)
Site: The Matadome, Northridge, Calif.
Game Time: 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Radio: n/a
MSU Coach: Todd Bozeman (131-107 - 8th yr)
Websites: www.MorganStateBears.com / www.GoMatadors.com

BALTIMORE, Maryland — Morgan State (3-7) continues the 2013-14 campaign at California-Northridge (7-5) on Friday for the first of a three-game west coast swing. The trip will include matchups with Oregon (Dec. 29) and California-Irvine (Jan. 2). The Bears will enter the contest attempting to build upon its 85-74 non-conference win last week against High Point. Friday night's contest will mark the first basketball meeting between the teams.

SCOUTING THE MATADORS
The Matadors welcomed back six veterans, including five starters, from a squad that posted a 14-17 overall record and went 5-13 in the Big West. Stephen Hicks leads the Matadors by averaging 18.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg and is shooting 56 percent (78-140) from the field.  Stephen Maxwell leads the Matadors on the boards (8.4 rpg) and in blocks and also averages 16.2 ppg. Senior guard Josh Greene is also averaging double figures (13.8 ppg) and leads the team averaging 2.1 assists per contest. Reggie Theus (California Coast '02) enters his first season as Cal-Northridge's head men's basketball coach. Stephan Hicks scored 20 points while Josh Greene added 17 points and Stephen Maxwell collected 15 points to lead CSUN to a 79-69 win Saturday night against the Idaho Vandals. The Matadors collected a season-high 47 rebounds (compared to 33 for the opposition) and posted its fourth win in the last five outings.

MSU'S LAST TIME OUT
Dec. 18, 2013 -- Justin Black scored 23 points to lead five Morgan State players in double figures as the Bears defeated High Point 85-74 on Wednesday night at Hill Field House. The Bears (3-7), led 43-36 at halftime and used a 13-2 run midway through the second half to help extend to their largest lead of 17 points, 72-55, with 9:22 left. The Panthers wouldn't get closer than nine after that.
Black finished the game shooting 8-for-18 from the field and including a game-high six steals to go with three rebounds. Ian Chiles added 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots. The Bears (3-7) hit 29 of 57 shots for 50.9 percent, outscoring the Panthers 46-18 in the paint. The Bears also collected 11 steals, six by Black, and scored 23 points off 19 High Point turnovers. Anthony Hubbard added 13 points and eight boards, while Blake Bozeman added 12 points and Shaquille Duncan had 10.

BEARS GO 1-2 AT PARADISE JAM
Morgan State particiapted in the 2013 Ezybonds Global Payments U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam. The Bears fell to La Salle in the first round of the by a 78-59 margin (11/22), followed by a 75-66 loss against Vanderbilt (11/23). MSU wrapped up the tournament by posting a 74-67 victory against Marist (11/25) to finish in 7th place.

MORGAN STATE TABBED SECOND IN PRESEASON POLL
Morgan State was picked to finish second in the 2013-14 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's basketball preseason poll behind defending regular season champion Norfolk State.

BLACK, CHILES AND HUBBARD EARN PRESEASON HONORS
Morgan State senior Justin Black was selected to the Preseason All-MEAC First Team by the conference head coaches and sports information directors. Redshirt-senior center Ian Chiles was selected to the Second Team and Anthony Hubbard to the Third Team.

BOZEMAN LOOKS FOR ANOTHER 20-WIN SEASON
For three of the last seven seasons, all as head coach, Todd Bozeman has guided teams to at least 20 victories. Bozeman set the Morgan State record for consecutive 20-win campaigns in 2007-08 with a 22-11 record and extended it with a 23-12 campaign in 2008-09, followed by a Division I school record 27-11 record in 2009-10. The previous record was back-to-back 20-win seasons under coach Nathaniel Frazier when he guided the Bears to a 20-8 record in 1972-73, followed by 28-5 in 1973-74.

BLACK MOVING IN ON 1,000 POINTS
Senior guard Justin Black has 982 points for his career and needs just 18 to join the 1,000 points club.

TOUGH IN THE PAINT
Ian Chiles and Cedric Blossom are both shooting better than .500 from the field this year. Thru the first 10 games Chiles is shooting 55.8 pct. (58-104), while front court teammate Blossom is shooting .571 (28-49) from the floor.

CHILES STANDS TALL
Redshirt senior Ian Chiles returns as one of the tallest centers in the state of Maryland. The 7-foot-2 senior averaged 9.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, and 1.7 bpg last season. The New Jersey native was also one of the most efficient low-post players in the league by shooting 53.5 percent from the field. "Big Slew" used the offseason to improve his strength and conditioning and is expected to be among the most dominant post players in the league. "Slew" is currently averaging 14.1 ppg and 5.9 rpg.

HOMECOMING
Morgan State has three players on the roster from California. Thair Heath and Hassante Manning are both from Los Angeles, while Rasean Simpson is from San Diego.

UP NEXT
After Cal-Northridge, the Bears will face Oregon (Dec. 29), followed by California-Irvine (Jan. 2).



COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Al Lawson joins 43 other FAMU president hopefuls

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- As he promised, former state legislator Al Lawson has applied for the Florida A&M University presidency. He joins a crowded field with 43 others who want the job, including many who applied before the search was suspended in March. And there could be even more by the time the Board of Trustees starts reviewing candidates on Jan. 6.

Here is the field of candidates in alphabetical order. We put an asterisk by those who were listed as candidates in March, meaning the rest applied since the search resumed last month.

The Board of Trustees hopes to select a winner at its Jan. 9 meeting. Meanwhile, alumni continue to campaign in favor of allowing interim President Larry Robinson to stay on the job.

Here is a list of all 44 candidates in alphabetical order:

Tony Atwater: Former president at Norfolk State University. He was fired abruptly by the school's board in August following news of delayed financial audits and academic issues at the nursing school.

Desa Allen Ballard: Attorney and an adjunct professor at University of South Carolina School of Law.

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Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2013/12/al-lawson-joins-43-other-famu-president-hopefuls.html#storylink=cpy

Alabama State University Selects New President

Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Elizabeth Boyd
(Courtesy Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.)

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- By unanimous consent, the Alabama State University Board of Trustees will extend an offer to Dr. Gwendolyn Elizabeth Boyd to become the next president of Alabama State University.

During its December 20 meeting, the Alabama State University’s Board of Trustees selected Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd to serve as its new president. Boyd marks the 14th president to serve in the position in the school’s 146-year history. The Board selected Boyd after a nearly year long search process. Boyd will succeed Dr. William H. Harris, interim president and president emeritus.

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley presided over the meeting, during which each of the three candidates was interviewed individually for approximately an hour, fielding questions from trustees on issues ranging from experience and leadership style to expansion of the University's academic and athletic programs. Onlookers at the meeting included ASU faculty and staff, student government officials, members of the governor's staff, and a slew of media outlets. The meeting was broadcast live on some television stations.

After a short deliberation, the Board voted unanimously to select Boyd.

The Board recognized that Boyd also was the consensus choice among the University’s student body, as expressed in a letter by SGA President Sharod Campbell. The Board also authorized the Board Chair and Executive Committee to negotiate a contract for presentation to the full Board. Boyd received a standing ovation from the Board and the gallery when she returned to the boardroom after her selection.

“We are proud to have selected an accomplished, capable, nationally recognized leader with the skills and experience to move Alabama State University forward,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Elton Dean. “Dr. Boyd is the embodiment of what is great about ASU. As an ASU graduate, she will serve as a daily reminder to our students that ASU is preparing them to impact the world; as a Montgomery native, she is the representation of what makes Montgomery the Capital of Dreams; and as a leader, she has the vision and drive to lead ASU to Vision 2020 and beyond.”

Governor Bentley agreed, stating that “I think Dr. Boyd will make a great president. She has my full support and I will not interfere unless asked.”

Boyd currently serves as an engineer and executive assistant to the Applied Physics Laboratory chief of staff at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., where she has worked for the past 33 years.

Boyd is a former Miss Alabama State University and an initiate of ASU’s Beta Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She earned a B.S. in mathematics from ASU and became the first African-American to earn a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Yale University. She also holds a doctoral degree in ministry from Howard University.

Boyd continues to be a trailblazer, as she is the first female president in ASU’s history.

Her history of leadership is extensive. She served as national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., chaired the Johns Hopkins Diversity Leadership Council, and was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the Barry Goldwater Foundation for Excellence in Education.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Shockers survive scare from North Carolina Central

WICHITA, Kansas  -- North Carolina Central prepared for Wichita State using picks set by pickup trucks with yellow lines and curbs as their boundary markers. Their assistant coaches got a lesson in the importance of carry-on luggage.

No, it wasn’t the ideal way to get ready for the 11th-ranked Shockers.

North Carolina Central didn’t want use its travel issues as an excuse, and it didn’t. It took WSU until the final two minutes to get comfortable in a 77-66 victory Sunday night at Koch Arena. North Carolina Central hadn’t been comfortable since it left Durham, N.C. on Saturday, enduring a day full of flight cancellations and airports before the team broke into three groups and arrived throughout Sunday.



“I’ve never seen anything like it, but to our credit, we don’t even talk about it,” Eagles coach LeVelle Moton said. “In 10 more minutes, I may fall asleep up here.”

In its final game before Christmas break, WSU (12-0) extended its school-record unbeaten streak to start a season. The 12-game win streak is the third-longest in program history. The Shockers led by 17 in the first half, but couldn’t complete the blowout, largely because North Carolina Central’s Jeremy Ingram scored 27 of his career-high 37 points in the second half.

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Alabama State Lady Hornets Rally Back For Win Over SSU

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Behind Quentori Alford's double-double performance of 13 points and 16 rebounds, ASU defeats Savannah State by the final score of 57-52.

Along with Alford, Taila Arrington had ten points and a team high four assist. Nakiya Smith added nine points of her own in the Lady Hornets victory.

"Our ladies fought hard all game," said head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson. "We started off slow tonight, but the girls played really good defense to pull us within three points at the half, the girls showed they had a lot of will power in the second half which helped us fight back and pull off the victory."



The first six minutes of the game Savannah State jumped out to the early five point advantage over the Lady Hornets. SSU would then extend their lead by going on a 7-2 run for a span of three minutes.  Poor shooting would hurt the Lady Hornets as they managed to shoot just 26.9% from the field at the end of the half but, remained much alive in the contest only trailing the Tigers by three heading into the locker rooms (26-23).

Alford led the way for ASU at the half with ten rebounds despite having only four points shooting (0-2) for the field for the half.

"Quentori had a great night, she had to battle against SSU's Tiyonda Davis size, but she had a really good game even though she scared me a little after taking that shot to the nose, she showed toughness by going back into the game and finishing it out." Freeman-Jackson stated.

ASU would come out for the second half energized as they would outscore SSU 7-4 in the first five minutes tying the score at 30 a piece. Both teams would battle back and forth until the 8:29 mark when ASU would take the one point lead (37-36).  After a stretch of ties by both teams in the final minute of play the Lady Hornets Daniele Ewert would capitalize off of a key put back basket with 29.7 seconds to go. ASU would then take the 57-53 victory over SSU after sinking in their final free throws.

The Lady Hornets defense came up big tonight forcing 19 Tiger turnovers limiting their offense to just 17-53 from the field shooting 32.1% for the entire game.

"Our defense played possession basketball in the final two minutes stepping up getting multiple stops which led to tonight's victory." said Freeman-Jackson.

Alabama State will go on break for a short holiday break and will be back in action as they will travel to Georgia Tech, Holiday Tournament in Atlanta, Ga. on Dec.29-30^th.

Box Score

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU's I’mani Davis Selected to Gator Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team

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I'MANI DAVIS
(COURTESY TSU TIGERS ATHLETICS)

GAINESVILLE, Florida --- Tennessee State Women’s Basketball Freshman I’mani Davis was named to the 2013 Gator Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team on Saturday.

 

Davis, a 6-0 Guard, averaged a double-double of 12.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game during the tournament. She also shot 41.7 percent from three-point range.

 

The Tulsa, Okla. native registered her second double-double of the season after scoring 15 points and hauling in 16 rebounds against LaSalle on Saturday. She also knocked down three triples versus the Explorers.

 

In the game against Florida, she had nine points and four rebounds while shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from long range. 

 

Davis is currently TSU’s third leading scorer and second best rebounder. She is ranked third in the OVC in steals and 10^th in defensive rebounds. 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

All-Louisiana: Kirk on first team, Reuther on second team

(L) MOIRA KIRK AND TAYLOR REUTHER (R)

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Moira Kirk was a first-team selection on the All-Louisiana women's volleyball team announced late Saturday, and teammmate Taylor Reuther made the second team.
    
It's the first time that Kirk — a 5-foot-9 junior middle blocker from Dallas and a graduate of Bishop Lynch High School — was named All-Louisiana. Reuther, a 5-foot-7 junior outside hitter from Metairie, La., and a graduate of St. Mary's Dominican High School, is All-Louisiana for the third tiime. She made the second team in 2011 and the first team a year ago.
    
Kirk produced 311 kills to rank second on her team and led the Gold Nuggets in hitting percentage (.347) and blocks (87) for the third consecutive year. Kirk hit .436 during the Nuggets' school-record 20-match win streak.
    
Reuther led Xavier in kills (395), aces (39), digs (403) and double-doubles (18) for the third consecutive season. She became the first to reach 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in an XU career.
    
It's the first time that Xavier produced two All-Louisiana volleyball players in the same season.
    
Kirk finished third in voting for Player of the Year. XU's Hannah Lawing was the runner-up to Tulane's Sinisa Momic for Coach of the Year. Lawing, in her first season as head coach, led Xavier to a 26-8 record, Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and a berth in the NAIA National Championship. The Gold Nuggets set a school record for season victories and extended their winning streak against GCAC opponents to 43.
    
The GCAC championships and the appearances at the national tournament were Xavier's third in a row. The Gold Nuggets set school records for road victories (17), victories on opponents' courts (9), kills per set (12.6), hitting percentage (.249) and digs per set (15.4). They recorded four victories against NAIA tournament qualifiers and became the first XU team to win all home matches (9-0).
    
A Louisiana Sports Writers Association panel of sports publicists selected the All-Louisiana team, which consists of players from NCAA Division I and NAIA members.

2013 All-Louisiana Women's Volleyball Team

FIRST TEAM
Briana Holman, freshman, LSU
Tea Juric, freshman, Tulane
Moira Kirk, junior, Xavier
Cati Leak, sophomore, LSU
Mel Mandelbaum, senior, Tulane
Cori Martone, senior, Tulane
Libero:  Keelie Arenson, junior, Northwestern State

SECOND TEAM
Stacey Defrancesco, junior, Northwestern State
Ashley Elrod, freshman, Northwestern State
Andrea Hole, junior, Louisiana-Lafayette
Malorie Pardo, junior, LSU
Taylor Reuther, junior, Xavier
Malina Sanchez, sophomore, McNeese State
Libero:  Marcela Araya, junior, Louisiana-Monroe
      
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Briana Holman, LSU
Voting:  Holman 7, Martone 3, Kirk 2

LIBERO OF THE YEAR:  Keelie Arenson, Northwestern State
Voting:  Arenson 6, Araya 4, Grace Weaver (Tulane) 1, Haley Smith (LSU) 1

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR  Celeste Ramirez, New Orleans
Voting:  Ramirez was only nominee

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:  (tie) Briana Holman, LSU; Tea Juric, Tulane
Voting:  Holman 6, Juric 6

COACH OF THE YEAR:  Sinisa Momic, Tulane
Voting:  Momic 8, Hannah Lawing (Xavier) 2, Hugh and Stephanie Hernesman (Northwestern State) 1, Heather Mazeitis-Fontenot (Louisiana-Lafayette) 1

HONORABLE MENTION
Eva Allen, sophomore, Loyola
Kayla Burling, freshman, Nicholls State
Maria Coelho, junior, Louisiana Tech
Desiree Elliott, senior, LSU
Chantelle Gardner, freshman, Louisiana-Lafayette
Kayla Mashburn, freshman, Nicholls State
Caiti O'Connell, junior, Northwestern State
Tonice White, senior, Louisiana-Lafayette


By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Florida A&M football inks 13 transfers

HEAD FOOTBALL COACH EARL HOLMES
(COURTESY FAMU ATHLETICS)

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- As head coach Earl Holmes and two members of his staff waited for the last couple of signed scholarships to come into Wednesday night, they used the opportunity to review some of the junior college transfers who will come to FAMU in January.

They clearly were high on quarterback Brian Blackburn, who is transferring from the University of Toledo.

“You see a 6-foot-6 quarterback who step back and look over the field and throw the deep ball as well as can run it,” Holmes said. “It’s a great thing.”

That is exactly the way that Holmes, who is beginning his second season as head coach, summed up his first signing class. The day’s signings were limited to transfers from BCS programs and junior colleges.

FAMU also signed quarterback Shazzon Mumphrey from Monroe College. Mumphrey. At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, he threw for 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.

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Florida A&M Signs Early Class For Rattler Football 2014

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (12/18/13)  --  Coach Earl Holmes and staff today announced early period signing of junior college, transfers and prep school athletes for the 2014 football season. 

The following recruits represent the early signing class of 2014:

 

Patrick Dalton (6’6", 340 lbs.) Fayetteville, Ga. – OL,  Whitewater High School, Jireh Preparatory School.  Dalton is an impressive addition to the Rattler offensive line.  He was recruited by Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Clemson and Tennessee.  He is considered a behemoth lineman, who could develop into a prototype of a guard.  For his size, he is reported to have quick feet and extremely strong hands.  He has athletic legs and a massive upper body.  His lengthy wingspan is important because when he latches on to a defender, he can render them useless.  Rated #51 on Georgia Top 65 rankings in 2012 by National Underclassmen Football Combine (NUFC).  NUFC 5th ranked OL of 13 on Georgia Top 65 for 2012.

Keir Abrams (5’11", 240 lbs.)  Berkeley, California – FB, Berkeley High School.  Abrams is a solid lead blocker and capable of getting tough yards.  He also has soft hands and is able to make receptions out of the backfield.  He went to Costa Contra College in San Pablo, California. Bench pressed 335 lbs. at age 16.

Shazzon Mumphrey (6’4”, 230 lbs.), Louisville, Kentucky – QB, Waggener Traditional High School, Dakota College at Bottineau.  Mumphrey is an athletic quarterback, who excels in a pro-style offense, who threw for over 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.  He runs a 4.5, 40-yard dash. He is a solid athlete benching 335 lbs., and squatting 475 lbs. Photo Gallery.  Offered by Alabama A&M, Bethune-Cookman, North Carolina Central, and Savannah State. A Dec. 2013 junior college graduate, he was rated as a two star QB by Rivals.Com.

 
Brian Blackburn Jr. (6’6”, 225 lbs.), Detroit, Michigan's Crockett Vocational Tech – QB, He was ranked the No.25 ranked player in the state of Michigan and was ranked three star by 247.com and Scout.com.  As a junior, Blackburn went 134 for 219 (61%), 2234 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He rushed for 1,049 yards and nine touchdowns. Received offers from Toledo, Buffalo and Central Michigan of the MAC.    Photo Gallery. Transferring from University of Toledo  as redshirt sophomore.

Mateo Kambui (6’3”, 288 lbs.) Wichita, Kansas – OC, Heights High School.  Helped Butler Community College to a 9-2 record last season.  He made first team All-KJCCC this past season at center. Highlights.  Kansas Class 6A, First Team All-State as senior. Photo  Appears also to be a comedian.....from his twitter account 12/20/13: "Felt broke putting $5 in my gas tank, then I looked over and seen this dude put $4 in his.... At that moment I knew the struggle was real."

Kendall Bruton (5’11", 185 lbs.) Long Island, New York -- DB, Nassau Community College.  Bruton is a solid run-stopper as well as pass defender.  He had 20 tackles, 11 pass break-ups and two interceptions, both returned for touchdowns last season. 

Sumir Burns (6’2”, 295 lbs.) Linden High School, Linden, NJ – NG/DT, Monroe College.  Burns earned Player of the Week Oct. 8, for his defensive performance.  He had 60 tackles on the season, with 31 solos and 29 assists.  He had three sacks and finished fourth in the conference in tackles.  Photo  Named First Team All Northeast Football Conference in 2013.

Antoine Pickett Jr. (6’0”, 190 lbs.) De La Salle High School, Concord, California – RB/LB/DB, Contra Costa College.  Pickett was ranked the No.2 defensive back in California by MaxPreps.  He runs a 4.5 - 40 yard dash and has a 25” vertical leap.  Previously offered by Sacramento State, North Dakota and Northern Colorado. Signed with Sacramento State in Feb. 2011, played one season, and bounced back to JC for a second shot at FBS.  He was one of the top players on De La Salle's 2009 and 2010 CIF State D-I title teams. Brother is Adarius Pickett, a four star cornerback and UCLA commit out of El Cerrito High School (Class of 2014). Photo.

A.J. Liddell (6’3”, 200 lbs.) Atlanta, Georgia – WR, Atlanta Prep.  ESPN rated Lidell as the No.49 player in the state.  He was also three-star ranked by ESPN.  Originally out of West Lake HS, he had several offers out of high school.  While he plays wide receiver, he is also solid as a punt and kick returner. 

Matt Tiedermann (6’1”, 310 lbs.) Ephraim, Utah – OL, Snow College.  Tiedermann is an agile offensive lineman who could bolster the interior offensive line. With quick feet and great arm strength, Tiedermann was a teammate of Rattler receiver Casey Glines. 

Photo

Ronald Harris II (6’3”, 220 lbs.)  Raleigh, NC – LB, Jireh Prep.  All-Conference in high school at Leesville Road High School. Harris is known as a solid tackler, while having good coverage skills when he drops back. He has excellent lateral movement inside a solid frame. His story.  As a senior Ron helped the Pride (Leesville Road H.S.) to it first undefeated (12-1) regular season in 2011 and the third round of the NCHSAA 4AA playoffs. Ron made 68 solo tackles and one fumble recovery during his senior season.

Eddie Lee Williams  (6'-3", 204 lbs.) Panama City Beach, Florida - Safety, Arnold High School. Transfer from Alabama, ranked No.1 player in Florida by ESPNU and Rivals.com in 2011. The football All-American was kicked out of the University of Alabama following his involvement in a second degree robbery and credit card fraud with three other Alabama football players. Williams, a former five-star recruit, did not play in 2012, but did practice at WR, as a redshirt freshman with the 2012 'Bama national championship team.  He chose Alabama over Florida State, Florida and Auburn.  Photos.  Williams Bio.  (beepbeep)
 

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Note: The Eddie Lee Williams input, YouTube Videos, photo links, hot-links selected by the beepbeep.   Sheeeeeee.... don't tell the rest of the MEAC that the Rattlers are on their way Back! I like this class!!!