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Voorhees' withdrawal advances XU to GCAC semifinals

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana's women's volleyball team will play its first match in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament one round later than previously announced.

The Gold Nuggets received a bye to the semifinals after their quarterfinal opponent, Voorhees College of Denmark, S.C., announced Wednesday its withdrawal from the postseason event.

"Due to some circumstances that were out of their control, Voorhees has regretfully withdrawn from our championship tournament," GCAC Commissioner Steven B. Martin said.

There will be two tournament matches Friday at XU's Convocation Center. Philander Smith will play Talladega at noon in the quarterfinals, and that winner will play Xavier in the semifinals at 3 p.m. The championship match will start at noon Saturday at the Convocation Center.

Tickets for the GCAC Tournament will cost $5 for ages 13 and older. There will be free admission for children 12 and younger and for GCAC-member students with valid school identification cards.

Xavier is the tournament's No. 1 seed and a three-time defending champion. The Gold Nuggets won their fourth consecutive GCAC regular-season championship on Nov. 1.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Tuskegee preparing for a slugfest in Saturday's SIAC championship game against Albany State

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- This one's going to be a battle of wills--a slugfest that pits the SIAC's best offense against its best defense.

As Tuskegee (8-2, 7-0) prepares for Saturday's conference title game against Albany State (7-2, 7-0), its coaches and players know that it will be a hard-hitting battle between the two most deserving of opponents.

Tuskegee's offensive firepower leads the SIAC in scoring (35.3 points) and total offense (387.5 yards) per game, while Albany State's shutdown defense leads in all major defensive categories, including scoring (14 points), total (229.4 yards), rushing (84.1) and passing (145.3).

Something's gotta give, and Tuskegee head coach Willie Slater knows it.

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There’s no looking back for NCCU

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DURHAM, North Carolina -- Each season is getting harder and harder for N.C. Central coach LeVelle Moton to fill out a non-conference schedule.

The phone rang off the hook when the men’s basketball program first reclassified to Division I status and mostly lived on the road for five years. But now that Moton has built a winning program, the silence is deafening.

“We just finished our schedule a couple of days ago,” Moton said recently during a MEAC teleconference. “The toughest thing for us is getting games. When we transitioned to Division I, the phone wouldn’t stop ringing.”

But Moton happily will take the snub if it means the Eagles can keep building on their success.

And now that Eagle Nation has tasted that success, Moton says there’s no turning back.

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FAMU notebook: Fuller hasn't applied for head coaching job

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M interim head coach Corey Fuller said his contract isn't up until Jan. 20, and he'll keep coaching and recruiting for the Rattlers until his final day on campus.

He also said during a meeting of the 220 Quarterback Club and New Times Country Buffet on Monroe Street he still hasn't applied for the now-vacant position of full-time head coach because he's focused on delivering two wins to end the season.

"No I haven't," Fuller said when a member of the club asked if he applied for the top job.

He continued, "I'm not even sure yet. I haven't even prayed about it. What I've been praying about is for four weeks the kids will play hard, put a great model on the field and we'll do our best. I haven't even prayed about the job."

Struggling Hampton U. faces MEAC leader Bethune-Cookman

HAMPTON, Virginia -- When Hampton U. football coach Connell Maynor watches Bethune-Cookman, he sees what he wants his program to look like.

"That's exactly the way we want to be," Maynor said Wednesday. "They've been dominating the MEAC for the last four years, since Coach (Brian) Jenkins has got there. To say that's how we want to be is exactly right. That's what we want to be."

Maynor and the Pirates (2-8, 1-5 MEAC) get an up-close look at the two-time defending conference champ Wildcats in front of a national TV audience 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Armstrong Stadium.

Bethune-Cookman (8-2, 5-1 MEAC) is tied for the conference lead with South Carolina State and North Carolina A&T. The Wildcats' only conference loss was to S.C. State, and they don't play North Carolina A&T this season.

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GW Men's Hoops Tips Off 2014-15 on Friday Versus Grambling State

WHO: GW Men's Basketball (0-0)
WHAT: 2014-15 Game #1 vs. Grambling State Tigers (0-0)
WHERE: Charles E. Smith Center (4,338), 600 22nd Street NW
Directions to Smith Center | Parking Options | Public Transportation
WHEN: Friday, November 14 at 7 p.m.
HOW: Buy Tickets | Gameday Info | Tickets Policy
VIDEO: FREE on RaiseHigh Live & A-10 Mobile App
AUDIO: FederalNewsRadio.com, 1050 AM, GW IMG Sports Network via TuneIn | WRGW Sports
STATS: GameTracker
TWITTER: @GW_MBB | @GWGeorge | #RaiseHigh
INSTAGRAM: GW_MBB | GW_GEORGE
FACEBOOK: GWMensBasketball
PROMOTION: Fourth annual Home Opener Tailgate starting at 4 p.m., and now relocated to Lerner Health & Wellness Center Third Floor

WASHINGTON, DC -- George Washington men's basketball begins a new century of competition on Friday when it hosts Grambling State at the Charles E. Smith Center to open the 2014-15 campaign, its 101st season of college hoops. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Friday's game will be preceded by the fourth annual Home Opener Tailgate starting at 4 p.m. on the third floor of the Lerner Health & Wellness Center adjacent to the Smith Center on 23rd and G Streets. Enjoy a game day atmosphere with food, music, activities and drinks (ID required for 21+) with fellow Colonials fans.

The 2013-14 season was a banner one for the Colonials, who celebrated their 100th season of intercollegiate competition by amassing the second-most victories in program history (24) en route to a berth in the 2014 NCAA Tournament. A banner recognizing the program's 11th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance will be unveiled prior to Friday night's tipoff.

Led by a quartet of juniors and returning starters, GW has been picked to finish second in the Atlantic 10 and contend for a return trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2014-15. The Colonials will begin the 2014-15 season receiving at least one vote in both the AP and USA Today Coaches Top 25 polls.

Three of those returning juniors - Patricio Garino (16 points), Kevin Larsen (13) and Kethan Savage (10) - were joined by senior John Kopriva (11) and freshmen Darian Bryant (13) and Yuta Watanabe (12) in scoring in double figures as GW cruised to an 89-47 rout of Bloomsburg in exhibition action at the Smith Center on Saturday. The Colonials shot 66 percent (35-53) from the field, including better than 71 percent (15-21) in the second half, and assisted on 24-of-35 baskets against the Huskies.

GW returns to the Smith Center and its monument-laden Tex Silverman Court - the #MonumentalHomeCourtAdvantage - for the first time after posting a 14-1 record at home last season. Since being installed prior to the 2013-14 athletics season, Colonials' teams that compete on the #MonumentalHomeCourtAdvantage have a combined .794 win percentage (54-14 across MBB, WBB, VB and GYM).

Friday's contest will be the first ever between GW and Grambling State. The Tigers return five players from last season's team, including two of their top four scorers in Preseason Second Team All-SWAC guard/forward A'Torri Shine (13.8 ppg) and guard Remond Brown (8.9 ppg), and have seven newcomers for Shawn Walker's first season at the helm.

Following Friday's opener, the Colonials will quickly prepare to visit new Big Ten member Rutgers on Sunday night in Piscataway, N.J. GW Alumni will host its first of several road pregame receptions this season at the Rutgers Zone beginning at 5 p.m.

COURTESY GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Football remaining primary focus for ASU's Barlow

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Reggie Barlow is staying focused on football in the face of uncertainty for one main reason – his team.

Despite Alabama State asking him to resign last week after he signed a three-year extension Sept. 9, Barlow continues to press forward for the sake of his players.

"What I do is for them," Barlow said after Wednesday's practice. "To get the text messages and the calls and all that stuff from these guys. The thing I love about them is when we lose a game or when we're going through something? Usually a coach checks on the players.

"These guys check on me. I have a real strong appreciation for that because that means they care about their coach. I appreciate that. I think that's what keeps me focused."

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Southern University's focus on Mississippi Valley not Bayou Classic

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The Bayou Classic is near lock for a de facto SWAC West championship game between Southern University and Grambling. But don't tell Jaguars coach Dawson Odums that.

As far as he's concerned Southern (7-3, 6-1 in the SWAC) will be locked in difficult game against Mississippi Valley State this week in Baton Rouge and that's all he and his team are focused on. Never mind that the Delta Devils (2-8, 1-7 in the SWAC) are the worst team in the league if you go by record.

It's easy to look ahead, though, as the Bayou Classic, set for Nov. 29 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, is shaping up as one of the most important in years.

If Southern knocks off Mississippi Valley this week, the Jaguars and Grambling (7-3, 7-0 in the SWAC) will play for the SWAC West title and a chance to compete in the SWAC Championship on Dec. 6 in Houston against SWAC East titlist Alcorn State.

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Coleman leads Xavier past Loyola in overtime, 72-66

Box score

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NEW ORLEANS -- Senior center Sydney Coleman scored five of his season-best 15 points in overtime Tuesday to lead NAIA No. 13 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 72-66 men's basketball victory against Loyola at XU's Convocation Center.

It was the second overtime game in the city rivalry. Xavier (5-1) leads the series 32-8 against and won at home against the Wolf Pack (1-1) for the first time in four tries.

Nick Parker's 3-pointer for Loyola with three seconds remaining tied the score at 63, but Xavier scored the first four points of overtime and never lost the lead. Coleman made 1-of-2 free throws at 4:48 and a basket at 2:44 for a 66-63 advantage.

With 21.6 seconds remaining and Xavier leading 68-66, Loyola's Robert Lovaglio missed the first of two free throws, then was called for a lane violation on the second shot. Coleman followed with two free throws with 19.8 seconds remaining to give the Gold Rush a four-point lead, and Jarvis Thibodeaux tacked on two more free throws with 1.1 seconds to play.

Coleman also grabbed a season-high nine rebounds. Morris Wright scored 12 points, and Troy Salvant and RJ Daniels scored 10 apiece for Xavier.

Lovaglio and McCall Tomeny scored 15 points apiece for Loyola. Jalen Gray scored 14 points, and Parker had 10.

Loyola led 27-26 at halftime after trailing by eight. Xavier scored the first 10 points of the second half and led 50-39 after Wright's 3-pointer at 5:57.

Parker's tying 3-pointer came after Coleman made 1-of-2 free throws with 13.8 seconds remaining.

Loyola outshot Xavier 36.4 to 35 percent from the floor. The Gold Rush had a 50-38 rebound advantage -- Thibodeaux grabbed 11 rebounds, and Daniels had nine.

The Rush will visit the Wolf Pack at 7 p.m. Dec. 3.

Xavier's next game will start at 7 p.m. Friday at home against Wiley.

Box score

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Lane College Announces Resignations in Athletics Program

JACKSON, Tennessee (11/10/14) -- Lane College today announced that Interim Athletic Director Penny Minter and Interim Head Football Coach Malik Hoskins have resigned their positions, effective immediately.

Lane President Logan Hampton has accepted the resignations and appointed Lane’s Sports Information Director (SID) and Head Softball Coach Roger Ogden as the Athletic Director on an interim basis. Ogden is a seven-year employee of the College and has served in his former capacities since 2008. He will retain the SID and Head Softball Coach responsibilities during the interim period.

During the 2014 Season, Coach Ogden led the Lady Dragons Softball Team to its highest single-season win total in the College's history. He also had two players selected as All-Conference with one Player of the Year, and he was selected by the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) as the 2010 and 2014 Coach of the Year. Ogden is married to Valerie Hathcock Ogden and they are the parents of an adult daughter, son-in-law and a grandson.

"I recognize the value that Director Minter has contributed to Lane College in her interim position. This year, she established the Lane College Booster Club, implemented Football Game Day promotions, and provided leadership to the entire athletics department, consisting of 12 sports,"said Hampton.

"Likewise, I thank Coach Hoskins for his leadership over the Football Program serving in the role as Interim Head Football Coach,"said Hampton. "Last season, Hoskins served as the program’s Assistant Football Coach and Offensive Coordinator. Primarily because of his offensive prowess and keen acumen in the development of key offensive plays, the 2013 Football Dragons amassed major offensive yardage and passing statistics, and helped lead the Dragons to their first winning season in four years and the selection of its Quarterback as the SIAC Player of the Year. Also, during his tenure, seven members of his football squads have been placed on the 1st and 2nd All-SIAC Conference Teams,"he added.

"I sincerely thank Director Minter and Coach Hoskins for their service to Lane College, and I wish them well in their future endeavors,"Hampton concluded.

The College will conduct a national search for Athletic Director, Head Football Coach, and Marching Band Director.

COURTESY LANE COLLEGE DRAGONS SPORTS INFORMATION

New Gaines Center floor won't be ready for WSSU season-openers

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State is going “old school” with its opening of basketball season on Saturday.

Because the newly-installed wooden floor at the Gaines Center is not ready the WSSU women and men will play their games at tiny Whittaker Gym, which is located adjacent to the Gaines Center.

The women are hosting a tournament on Saturday and the first game is at 2 p.m. with Shepherd against St. Augustine’s. The Rams will play Urbana at 4 p.m.

The WSSU men will make its debut at 7 p.m. at Whittaker against Allen University.

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Former NFL Player Charles Grant Caught on Video Body-Slamming Bowie State Student

BOWIE, Maryland -- Bowie State University fired a former NFL player from his volunteer football coach position after TMZ Sports posted video of him body-slamming a student.

University police is investigating Charles Grant. He can be heard shouting and cursing at the student before throwing him to the ground then into the bleachers as people are heard laughing in the background.

Grant is a former defensive lineman for the New Orleans Saints. He was on the team the season it won Super Bowl XLIV.

Grant previously was brought up on an involuntary manslaughter charge after ...

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Virginia State QB Tarian Ayres arrested, charged with DUI

WAVERLY, Virginia -- Tarian Ayres, the Virginia State sophomore quarterback who Monday was suspended by the school for this weekend's CIAA championship game, was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, underage possession of alcohol and speeding in the town of Waverly.

A Waverly police officer who spotted Ayres speeding on westbound U.S. 460 stopped his vehicle about 2:05 a.m. after he crossed the highway’s double solid line near Main Street, said Waverly police officer C.M. Washington.

The officer administered a series of sobriety checks, including a breathalyzer test, and determined Ayres was intoxicated, Washington said. Police declined to provide his blood-alcohol level.

Washington said a couple of other people were in the car with Ayres but ...

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Dwight Floyd Commentary: It Was Good for My Dear Father

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- When he was born the midwife attempted to name him Willow, after the tree, but somehow the spelling became Willer. Such a unique name it was, perhaps even backwards by way of intent, yet in his life Willer Aldrich Floyd brought dignity to the name. One of nine children, son of a sharecropper, he married the girl of his dreams, served in the military, graduated from college, and taught life skills throughout his professional career.

Willer was blessed to have others in his corner from childhood forward. As he told the story his teacher went out into the field and asked his father if Willer could go to school full time and skip tending to the family farm. Willer was a little guy and his younger brother, K.P., who would grow to be much bigger than him, told their dad that in exchange he’d skip school and carry my father’s load. It was a tremendous sacrifice by K.P., but truth is even without a primary education the younger brother was able to own and run a successful automobile towing and mechanics business.

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Virginia State QB suspended for CIAA title game

ETTRICK, Virginia -- Winston-Salem State didn’t get tested a whole lot during the CIAA portion of its schedule.

That should change Saturday in the CIAA championship game against a very good Virginia State team. The Trojans (8-2), who also had a few lopsided victories inside the conference, will play the Rams for the first time since 2003.

The Trojans opened the season with consecutive losses to powerhouses California (Pa.) and Lenoir-Rhyne. Coach Latrell Scott, the CIAA coach of the year last season, told reporters earlier this season that losing those two games helped his Virginia State team later.

"We’re battle-tested," Scott said. "We’ve been through a whole bunch as a team, and we just find a way to win games."

The Trojans, who have two straight undefeated regular seasons in ...

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No longer in control in MEAC, Morgan State football sets sights on South Carolina State

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Saturday’s 45-0 loss to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe North Carolina A&T was a big blow for Morgan State.

Although the Bears (5-5 overall, 4-2 MEAC) dropped into a three-way tie for second with North Carolina Central (5-5, 4-2) and Norfolk State (4-6, 4-2), they trail a trio of conference leaders in No. 20 Bethune-Cookman (8-2, 5-1), the Aggies (8-2, 5-1) and South Carolina State (7-3, 5-1).

With two games left on the schedule, Morgan State could still capture a piece of the MEAC championship, but the Bears would need help.

That’s why coach Lee Hull said the team’s focus must be on Saturday’s 1 p.m. game against South Carolina State at Hughes Stadium.

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South Carolina State Coach Buddy's Pough's Weekly Press Conference Nov. 10, 2014

Monday, November 10, 2014

TSU Men's Basketball Season Preview

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State University men’s basketball team moves into a new era with head coach Dana Ford at the helm.

The Skinny

Coaching at TSU is old hat for Ford who was an assistant here under John Cooper from 2009-2011. While he coached here, the Tigers won 43 games. Ford helped build the Tigers up by recruiting talented players such as Robert Covington, Kellen Thornton, Patrick Miller and current guard Jay Harris.

The youngest coach in all of NCAA Division I will lead a team comprised of one returner and 12 newcomers. The Tigers have two players (the aforementioned Harris and junior Christian Crockett) with experience playing at this level, the fewest in Division I. What the Tigers lack in experience, though, they make up with talent.

Jay Harris – Lone Returner

Harris will be the leader of the Tiger backcourt this season. Last season, his junior year, Harris averaged 7.4 points per game and was second on the team in total steals with 24. He was a 76% free throw shooter and averaged 2.4 rebounds per game.

The Backcourt

Harris will be joined by five newcomers in Darreon Reddick, Xavier Richards, Rodney Simeon, and Charles Tucker.

Reddick was the first commitment that Coach Ford received as head coach. He was the top scorer for his high school, Belleville East in Belleville, Ill., by averaging 13.7 points. He showed his well-rounded game by also averaging 4.6 rebounds, and 2.63 assists per contest. Richards, a transfer from Baltimore City Community College, was a third team NJCAA All-American last year as he helped his side win the Region XX Championship. He averaged 19.2 points per game and shot 59% from the field.

Simeon comes to TSU from Miami, Fla. where he was the captain of the Boyd H. Anderson high school team that posted a 25-6 record. He put up 15.3 points per game and also averaged 5.5 rebounds which helped his team make the Final Four in the 7A state playoffs. Tucker was a member of the 2011-12 USA Men’s Developmental National Team comprised of the nation’s top under-16 talents. The coaches are very high on him and expect him to make a big impact right away.

Up Front

All five forwards are newcomers this season with three freshman and two juniors.

Chima Azuonwu is the team’s only true center. Standing at 6’ 11”, the Delta, Nigeria native averaged close to a double-double in his final high school season at Darien High School (Connecticut) while his team finished 11-11, one of the school’s best finishes in recent memory. Joining Azuonwu is Crockett, who gained his Division I experience at Mount Saint Mary’s as a freshman. The transfer from Odessa Community College helped his team to a 22-7 record, shooting 54% from the floor and averaging 7.7 points and five rebounds per game.

Zachary Lee, a talented freshman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, joins the Tigers’ post players from Eldorado High School. Lee averaged 11 points and eight rebounds while excelling on defense with 4.2 blocks per game. A transfer from Brunswick Community College, Demontez Loman was a force his sophomore year. The 6’ 6” forward averaged 10.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 1.6 steals per game. He was also named second team All-Region. He led the team in rebounding, blocked shots and steals to earn the Region 10 Defensive Player of the Year award.

The Schedule

After three-straight home games to begin the season, TSU will participate in the Barclays Tournament with match-ups against Vanderbilt (Nov. 23), Virginia (Nov. 25) and St. Peters (Nov. 28) before facing either Norfolk State or St. Francis (Nov. 29).

December is comprised of two home games, Hampton (Dec. 2) and Kennesaw State (Dec. 31), in addition to six road games. TSU travels to Lipscomb (Dec. 6), Southern Illinois (Dec. 16), Hampton (Dec. 19), Middle Tennessee State (Dec. 21), Tennessee (Dec. 27), and Texas Christian (Dec. 29) before moving into 2015 and OVC play.

The Tigers will look to make the 2014-15 season a new beginning in the legacy of TSU. It all starts Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:00 p.m. when they host Reinhardt.

TSU 2014/14 Men's Basketball Schedule

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

XU to begin defense of GCAC title at 10 a.m. Friday

BRACKET (.pdf)

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana will play Voorhees at 10 a.m. Friday at XU's Convocation Center to begin its quest for a fourth consecutive Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament championship in women's volleyball.

The GCAC announced seedings, pairings and match times Monday for the eight-team, single-elimination event. The Convocation Center will be the site of four of the seven matches.

The Gold Nuggets (18-5) are the No. 1 seed for the fourth straight year. They are 57-0 against GCAC opponents since a five-set loss to SUNO in semifinals of the 2010 conference tournament.

Voorhees (4-21) is seeded eighth. Xavier defeated the Lady Tigers 25-8, 25-9, 25-7 Sept. 29 at XU and 25-5, 25-12, 25-13 Oct. 26 at Voorhees.

On Friday, XU will play host to a noon quarterfinal -- No. 4 Philander Smith vs. No. 5 Talladega -- and a 3 p.m. semifinal matching the XU-Voorhees winner and the Philander Smith-Talladega winner. SUNO will be the site of two quarterfinals and one semifinal Friday.

The quarterfinals at SUNO will be No. 2 SUNO vs. No. 7 Edward Waters at 10 a.m. and No. 3 Dillard vs. No. 6 Tougaloo at noon. Those winners will meet at 3 p.m.

The championship match will start at noon Saturday at XU. The Gold Nuggets defeated SUNO 25-23, 25-18, 25-15 in the 2013 final at Little Rock, Ark.

Tickets will cost $5 for ages 13 and older. There will be free admission for children 12 and younger and GCAC-member students with valid school identification cards.

The tournament champion will receive an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship, which will begin Nov. 22 with 12 first-round matches on campus sites. The NAIA will announce the 36-team field for nationals on Nov. 16.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS