Temple Men's Basketball Closes Out Non-Conference Slate Sunday vs. Delaware State

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania  --  Temple men's basketball wraps up the non-conference poriion of its schedule Sunday with a home game against Delaware State. It will be the first-ever meeting between the schools with tip time set for 5:00 p.m. The game will be televised by ESPN3 and broadcast on 1210 AM WPHT.

Fans bringing new, unwrapped toys to game will receive $5 off the price of tickets.   Temple basketball players will deliver these toys to Shriner's Hospital for Children in early January.  

Fresh off an incredible upset of #10 Kansas, the Owls (8-4) will look to remain unbeaten at the Liacouras Center,  Temple is 5-0 in the building this season and 175-55 all-time.

A trio of guards tops the Cherry and White in scoring with senior Jesse Morgan leading the way with a 16.5 average.  JuniorQuenton DeCosey, who has scored in double figures in 11 straight games, is averaging 15.1 points per game while senior co-captain Will Cummings (14.8 ppg.) tops the team in assists (3.8 apg.).

Junior transfer Jaylen Bond (6.3 ppg.) leads the team in rebounding (6.6 rpg.) while junior Devontae Watson (2.3 rpg.) rounds out the starting five.

Delaware State (5-7) has lost three of its last four, including an 83-70 defeat at Oregon.  Senior center Kendall Gray (11.5 ppg,), who leads the MEAC with a 10.4 rebound average, did not make the trip to Oregon, and is listed as game-to-game due to suffering from an undisclosed illness. 

Senior guard Amere Gray leads DSU in scoring with a 19.1 average and is the reigning MEAC Player of the Week. Senior forward Tyshawn Bell also averages double figures with 11.5 points per game.

Delaware State has played all but two of its games on the road. The Hornets toppled Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, 72-65, on November 28 and also have wins at Penn (77-75, OT) and at Delaware (66-53).   

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Marquette Hosts Morgan State Sunday At 1 p.m. CT

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin -- The Marquette University men’s basketball team (7-4, 0-0 BIG EAST) wraps up its season-long five-game homestand Sunday, Dec. 28 at 1 p.m. CT when the squad hosts Morgan State (2-10, 0-0 MEAC) in non-conference action at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. FOX Sports 1 will feature MU’s 10th national television broadcast of the campaign, with John Sadak (play-by-play) and Dickey Simpkins (analyst) calling the action. Sunday’s action will also mark the conclusion of the non-league portion of the Golden Eagles’ 2014-15 campaign. Marquette opens BIG EAST Conference action Dec. 31 at DePaul.

TV Info: FOX Sports 1 | Radio Info: 540 ESPN

Marquette Game Notes  | Morgan State Game Notes 

BIG EAST Featured During New Year’s Marathon

The BIG EAST Conference will ring in the New Year with a full day of BIG EAST Basketball for the second annual New Year’s Eve Tip-Off Marathon on FOX Sports 1.

From noon until midnight, fans can watch the debut of the 2014-15 conference slate as all 10 teams battle it out for BIG EAST glory.

The schedule of games is St. John’s at Seton Hall (11 a.m. CT), Butler at Villanova (1:30 p.m. CT), Marquette at DePaul (4 p.m. CT), Creighton at Providence (6:30 p.m. CT) and Georgetown at Xavier (9 p.m. CT).

Marquette Has Had Success In Morgan State Series

The Golden Eagles have claimed each of the five all-time meetings with Morgan State, with the most recent matchup coming during the 2006-07 campaign (77-57, Dec. 22).

The two programs first met in the 1988-89 campaign and each of the outings have come in Milwaukee. Marquette is 27-0 all-time against programs currently in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

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Tennessee State Tigers Travel to UT Volunteers, Saturday

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- The Tennessee State University men’s basketball team will travel to the University of Tennessee on Saturday for a game at Thomson Boling Arena at 7:30 p.m.

The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.

The Tigers (2-10) will face the Volunteers (6-4) for the fourth time in their history. UT has won the previous three meetings. The last game between the two took place last season with TSU falling 88-67.

TSU lost 67-45 their last time out to Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders went on an 18-0 run to begin the game. The Tigers were able to quell the offensive onslaught for the remainder of play, but could not drum up their scoring efforts in response. At its smallest, the gap between the two teams was nine before ballooning to the final of 22.

On the other hand, Tennessee is coming off a 64-54 victory against Mercer. The Volunteers beat the Bears for the second time in a calendar year. Their first meeting was in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Josh Richardson heads up a three-pronged scoring attack with 16.3 points per game. Kevin Punter (10.1) and Armani Moore (10.0) are the other two Volunteers who average double-digit scoring.

TSU will look to counter with their double edged sword of Jay Harris and Marcus Roper. Both average 11 points per game and have been the go-to guys on offense for the Tigers.

The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Knoxville. For those who cannot make it to the game, it will be broadcast on the SEC Network.

Just three non-conference games remain on the Tigers’ schedule before the gauntlet of OVC play begins.

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After up-and-down career, Howard University Bison Greg McGhee eyes NFL future

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Howard quarterback Greg McGhee is an advocate of correct posture.

Down 26-13 with four minutes remaining in the third quarter of the season finale against rival Hampton, Howard returner Richard Aiyegoro muffed a punt. Hampton recovered. Knowing the turnover would likely cost Howard the game, Aiyegoro put his head down in anguish.

McGhee pulled Aiyegoro’s helmet back up.



“We’re going to get [the football] right back,” said, McGhee, who then relayed that message to other teammates, many of whom surrounded the quarterback with their heads down. “Keep the same energy and swagger we had the first kickoff.”

McGhee would be fully justified if he lowered his head as well. Since he played his last down of high school football, his pursuit of an NFL roster spot has suffered repeated setbacks.

However, whether the Bison rebounded to beat Hampton or were blown out in ...

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2014 FAMU Wind Symphony In Concert

Ram Ramblings: A lot to be thankful for on Christmas Eve

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Nobody really knows why folks take stock of their lives around the holidays but it's a tradition that continues.

That's why Christmas Eve is as good a time as any to be thankful for a lot of things. A healthy family is atop the list and my wife and I couldn't be prouder of our 11 and 9-year-old.
But as they get older it's apparent they are getting somewhat of an attitude but I guess that will be more of an issue when they become teenagers.

If you are a Winston-Salem State fan then 2015 should be a good year. From all indications the new chancellor (Elwood Robinson) will be engaging and is definitely a fan of athletics.

During football season Dr. Robinson wasn't shy about ...

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JCSU Golden Bulls up and down at break

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Johnson C. Smith can get off the see-saw for the holidays.

The Golden Bulls’ up-and-down season has produced a 6-6 record heading into January’s CIAA schedule, revealing a team that has yet to establish an identity.

“I thought we could be better. I think we have to remain at our growing edge and I thought there were times we did not do that, so we were not focused on growing and getting better. That’s what I’m still after – trying to get the team better and more mature. Hopefully, we’re getting some signs of consistency.”

JCSU hasn’t been able to sustain it during nonconference play, although the Golden Bulls have been competitive despite losing all-CIAA forward Emilio Parks for a month with a knee injury. The initial diagnosis suggested a ligament tear that would sideline him for the season, but a second revealed a less severe injury. He returned last week and scored 25 points in two games.

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GSU Coach Broderick Fobbs get state honors

PHOTO COURTESY: GRAMBLING STATE ATHLETICS

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Grambling State coach Broderick Fobbs and Louisiana Tech quarterback Cody Sokol are among the individual award winners on the 2014 All-Louisiana college football team announced by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

Fobbs was an easy choice of the voters for the state's coach of the year after taking Grambling from a last-place finish and one win a year ago to competing for a division title. Grambling won seven games against SWAC opponents. Fobbs was the Southwestern Athletic COY and also a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award.

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SCSU: After years dancing for crowds, Eddie Moe ‘dancing for Jesus’

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- When South Carolina State University’s Marching 101 gets new uniforms, on each shoulder will be an insignia in remembrance of the life and legacy of “Eddie Moe.”

Mourners filled St. Paul Baptist Church Tuesday to pay their final respects to Eddie Moore Jr. one of Orangeburg’s most beloved sons.

Across the nation he was known as Eddie Moe, but to family he was “Junior,” said Moore’s sister, Minister Virginia Berry White.

“Whatever Eddie Moe was to you, he was to us,” she said.



“There was something special about Eddie beside his disabilities,” she said. “He began to take shape into God’s purpose right before our eyes. He changed from Junior to Eddie Moe the celebrity and became the one God would use for such a time as this.”

White said her brother’s life makes for the ultimate Christmas story.

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SCSU: Service for ‘Eddie Moe,’ a simple man, fit for a king

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Upon leaving the homegoing service for Orangeburg’s Eddie “Eddie Moe” Moore Jr. Tuesday at St. Paul Baptist Church, a sobering thought came to mind. I had just witnessed a funeral for a simple man, but a service befitting a king.

“If we all could be so fortunate,” I thought. “What a way to be remembered?” Hundreds of people from near and far packed the sanctuary. A host of others viewed the service from an overflow location at the church.

Almost everyone who sang or spoke – including those who made reflections – remembered a simple man, who, although possessing no power, owning no college degrees, no great status in life, no riches, stood tall.


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“He had personality,” said the Rev. Dr. Chauncey Priester during his eulogy. Indeed he had and so many of us benefited from that personality. Speaking from Luke Chapter 16, Priester recounted the parable of the rich man with power and a lavish lifestyle, and Lazarus, who had little or nothing but was favored by God. For you biblical scholars — and many of us — you know the story, and as Priester noted: “Will the Least Liked Become the Most Popular.”

Eddie Moe was extremely popular in his own quiet way. Whether standing near the corner of Magnolia and Chestnut streets daily waving to all that passed and displaying an infectious smile, or wowing the crowds at South Carolina State University sporting events, or leading the renown Marching 101 band in parades and on-field performances with his energetic dance routines, he demonstrated personality.

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PVAMU Knock Off C-USA North Texas 70-67 Behind Scott's 26-Point Effort

DENTON, Texas  --  Playing in his final regular season game in the Dallas area, senior Montrael Scott went out with a bang as he scored 26 points to lead Prairie View A&M to a 70-67 win over Conference USA's North Texas on Tuesday night.

Back-to-back treys by John Brisco early in the game turned a 7-6 PVAMU lead into a 13-6 lead and the Panthers remained ahead by seven (15-8) after Scott's jumper with 13:13 remaining. A 7-0 run by the Mean Green tied the game at 15-all until layups by Jaryn Johnson and Tre Hagood ended the run and gave PVAMU a 19-15 advantage.

North Texas, coming off a defeat over Creighton of the Big East this past weekend, turned the tables and went on a 15-4 surge over the next six-and-a-half minutes to move ahead 30-23 with 2:15 remaining. Junior guard Jacoby Green stopped the bleeding with a jumper at the 2:05 mark and the Panthers held ground as UNT claimed a 34-27 halftime advantage.

The Mean Green claimed their largest lead of the contest five minutes into the second half as they led PVAMU 44-33 after Deandre Harris' layup. A trey by Montrael Scott cut the deficit to single digits (44-36) but UNT went ahead by 11 once again after Harris' three-pointer.

Sensing the game slipping away, the Panthers turned up their intensity and Scott led the way as he scored 10 points during a seven-minute span which saw the Panthers reclaim the lead at the 7:05 mark after Karim York's jumper. UNT regained the lead but the Panthers kept on fighting as two free throws by York and a Scott layup swung the margin back in PVAMU's favor as they led 61-59 with 4:58 on the clock.

PVAMU's defense shut down the Mean Green from that point as they would only attempt seven shots over the final four minutes while the Panthers kept charging as they led 66-59 with three minutes remaining after York's trey and Tre Hagood's basket. The Mean Green closed to within 66-61 with 2:33 on the clock and a Panther turnover and missed layup led to a trey by UNT's Jordan Williams and PVAMU clinging to a 66-64 margin.

With the Mean Green on their heels, Scott missed a jumper but picked up a huge offensive rebound to eat more clock which led to a UNT foul and 1-of-2 free throws by Reggis Onwukamuche as PVAMU led 67-64 with 28 ticks left.

The Panther defense stepped up as Hagood logged a huge steal immediately following a UNT timeout which led to layup by York and a two-possession, 69-64 lead. However, UNT continued to be a thorn in the team's side as TJ Taylor's trey narrowed the deficit to 69-67 with eight seconds left. UNT fouled PVAMU's Jacoby Green with three seconds left but UNT still had a chance to tie as Green connected on 1-of-2 from the charity stripe.

UNT had one final chance to tie but Williams' three-pointer fell short as the Panthers picked up their first win over the Mean Green in series history.

Scott finished with 26 points and went 4-of-8 from the three-point line. Brisco followed with 11 points while Tre Hagood had another all-around performance with eight points, eight assists and seven rebounds.

The Panthers will enjoy their Christimas holiday and close out the year in style as their next game is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 30 in Hawai'i as they'll face Hawai'i.

BOX SCORE

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Howard University player one of two suspects killed during Denton robbery

Terrence Neal Tusan
Redshirt Junior RB
5' 6"/150 lbs.
Photo Courtesy: Howard U. Athletics

EULESS, Texas  --  A former Euless Trinity football star who was home from college for Christmas break was one of two suspects killed in a Denton home invasion robbery over the weekend, authorities said late Tuesday.

Terrence Neal Tusan, 22, who went on to play football for Howard University in Washington, D.C., and Jakobi Dmon Gipson, 18, both of Arlington, were fatally shot Sunday evening at the CastleRock at Denton apartment complex, according to the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office.

The medical examiner listed the men’s deaths as homicides due to gunshot wounds.

Earlier Tuesday, Tusan’s mother, who said she had not heard from her son in two days, had reported him missing to Arlington police.

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Gold Rush's Wright is GCAC Player of the Week again

MORRIS WRIGHT

NEW ORLEANS — For the second time this season, Xavier University of Louisiana's Morris Wright is the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week in men's basketball.

Wright — a 5-foot-10 junior guard from Zachary, La., and a former Zachary High School and Baton Rouge Community College standout — earned the honor for Dec. 15-21 after averaging 18.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.5 steals during the Gold Rush's 2-0 week. Wright scored 15 points, made 6-of-6 free throws and grabbed five rebounds in a 72-63 hone victory against Faulkner, then he had 22 points, five assists and a career-high-tying steals in a 92-82 overtime victory at NAIA No. 5 William Carey which snapped the Crusaders' 29-game home winning atreak.

Wright scored six points during a 10-0 run to begin overtime and helped Xavier's record its first road victory against a top-10 opponent in nearly seven years.

Xavier, 11-4 and ranked 22nd in NAIA Division I, will play NAIA No. 9 Concordia (Calif.) at 7 p.m. next Tuesday at XU's Convocation Center.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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Echebelem is All-Louisiana, Player of Year runner-up

Chinedu Echebelem

NEW ORLEANS -- When Xavier University of Louisiana's 2014 women's volleyball season started, Chinedu Echebelem was a 3-year standout player transitioning to student manager. She was looking ahead to completing her academic obligations in December. But when the Gold Nuggets opened with two straight losses, she rethought her role.

"I decided I had much more that I could contribute to the team," Echebelem said.

Echebelem asked to rejoined the team, was accepted without hesitation, and she helped get the Gold Nuggets back on track. Xavier won its first 10 matches after Echebelem's return -- the second-longest streak in the program's history -- won its fourth consecutive regular-season and tournament championships in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and earned a fourth straight automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship.

Echebelem, a 5-foot-6 outside hitter from Dallas and a graduate of Duncanville High School, added to her 2014 honors late Saturday when she was named All-Louisiana first team by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. She was runner-up for Player of the Year; Louisiana-Lafayette setter Andrea Hole edged Echebelem by one vote.

"Nay (Echebelem) picked up where she left off last year," XU coach Hannah Lawing said. "When she rejoined the team she was in shape and ready to go. She stepped in and gave us great senior leadership."

Echebelem recorded 205 kills, 264 digs, nine aces, 25 assists and 17 blocks in 22 matches and reached career highs for kills per set, digs per set and hitting percentage. She had eight kill-dig double-doubles, including 21 kills and 21 digs Oct. 1 in a five-set victory at SUNO.

Echebelem was selected GCAC Player of the Year and, for the third time, All-GCAC. She was CoSIDA Academic All-District and repeated as a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete.

It's the fourth straight year that Xavier has All-Louisiana representation and the third straight year the Nuggets have a first-team selection.

Lawing, whose Nuggets finished 20-6 overall and 14-0 in the GCAC, was runner-up in voting for Louisiana Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season. Earning that honor was Northwestern State's Hugh and Stephanie Hernesman, who are co-coaches and married to each other.

An LSWA panel of sports publicists selected the All-Louisiana team, which consists of players from NCAA Division I and NAIA members.

2014 All-Louisiana Women's Volleyball team

FIRST TEAM
Chinedu Echebelem, senior, Xavier
Kaci Eaton, sophomore, Nicholls State
Andrea Hole, senior, Louisiana-Lafayette
Briana Holman, sophomore, LSU
Cati Leak, junior, LSU
Mackenzie Neely, senior, Northwestern State
Kalynn Egea, senior, Nicholls State

SECOND TEAM
Eva Allen, junior, Loyola
Rachel Cagnina, senior, McNeese State
Stacey DiFrancesco, senior, Northwestern State
Glynna Johnson, junior, Northwestern State
Tea Juric, sophomore, Tulane
Malorie Pardo, senior, LSU
Rebecca Redgen, senior, Louisiana Tech
Marcela Araya, senior, Louisiana-Monroe

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Andrea Hole, Louisiana-Lafayette
Voting: Hole 4, Echebelem 3, Holman 2, Neely 2, Allen 1

LIBERO OF THE YEAR: Kalynn Egea, Nicholls State
Voting: Egea 7, Araya 2, Morgan Todd (Southeastern Louisiana) 2, Haley Smith (LSU) 1

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Kaci Eaton, Nicholls State (only nominee)

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Sarah Ray, Tulane
Voting: Ray 5, Bayleigh Hoffman (Louisiana-Monroe) 4, Gina Tillis (LSU) 3

COACH OF THE YEAR: Hugh and Stephanie Hernesman, Northwestern State
Voting: Hernesmans 6, Hannah Lawing (Xavier) 3, Fran Flory (LSU) 2, Heather Mazeitis-Fontenot (Louisiana-Lafayette) 1.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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Florida A&M's President Hires a Winner in Head Football Coach Alex Wood

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- With the announcement today of the hiring of Head Football Coach Alex Wood, Florida A&M University president Dr. Elmira Mangum delivered on her promise.  In all respects, she selected a strong leader and winner!  I like this hire and the University has my financial support.



THE ALEX WOOD FILE

Overall, Wood brings an impressive coaching resume to FAMU, spanning nearly four decades of work on both the collegiate and professional levels.

From 1989-93 he was part of Dennis Erickson’s staff for the Miami Hurricanes, coaching the running backs, while helping the Canes to a pair of National Championships (1989 and 1991) and a perfect 12-0 season in 1991.

After serving as offensive coordinator for two seasons at Wake Forest (1993-94), he was named as the head football coach at James Madison University.

Wood led the Dukes to an 8-4 record in his first season including a trip to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs. In his four-year tenure at JMU, Wood compiled a record of 23-22.

Wood moved into the pro ranks in 1999, when he was hired by Dennis Green as the quarterbacks coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He spent four seasons with the Vikings’ organization.

In his first year with the team, the Vikings selected Daunte Culpepper in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft. By Culpepper’s second season, the young star not only took over the starting quarterback job but earned a start for the National Football Conference (NFC) in the Pro Bowl.

He tied for the NFL lead with 33 passing touchdowns and ranked second in the NFC with 3,937 yards. Culpepper led the Vikings to the NFC Central title and a spot in the conference championship game.

In 2001, Culpepper was lost to a season-ending injury but still managed to finish third in the NFC in completion percentage (64.2).

The Culpepper-Wood combination was back at it again in 2002. Culpepper spearheaded the NFL’s second-ranked offensive unit and in the process the Vikings’ quarterback finished second in the NFC in passing yardage (3,853) for the second time in Wood’s tenure.

Wood was named wide receivers coach by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003. In his one year in Cincinnati, Wood coached two players in the top 10 of receiving yards in the AFC (Chad Johnson and Peter Warrick). Johnson led the AFC with 1,355 yards on 90 receptions. He also had 10 touchdown receptions.

In 2004, Wood rejoined Green on the staff of the Arizona Cardinals. Wood served one season as the offensive coordinator for the Cardinals, overseeing the offensive staff and handling play-calling responsibilities.

He spent the 2006-07 seasons as the passing game coordinator at the University of Arkansas and ultimately ended up back in the Midwest, helping the RedHawks of Miami of Ohio become the first team in Division I history to go from one victory to double digit wins.



WOOD’S IMPACT AT BUFFALO

The four seasons Wood led the Buffalo offense, the Bulls featured one of the nation’s most prolific attacks both in yardage gained and points scored.

In 2014, The Bulls’ offense rolled up 4,820 total yards (2,855 passing, 1,955 rushing), while averaging 32.3 points per game.

In 2013, UB's offense again flourished, as for the second straight season, the Bulls rushed and passed for over 2,000 yards (2,176 yards rushing, 2,955 yards

passing). The Bulls scored 30 or more points in a school-record eight straight games. Wide Receiver Alex Neutz set the school record with 30 career receiving touchdowns en route to being named All-MAC First Team.

In 2012, UB’s offense rushed for 2,120 yards and passed for 2,391 yards, becoming the first team in the Division I-A era to rush and pass for over 2,000 yards. In addition, Neutz became just the third receiver in school history with 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.

In 2011, his first season as offensive coordinator, the Bulls’ offense saw significant improvement. UB averaged eight more points and 68 more yards of total offense per game than in 2010. Buffalo had 13 plays of 40 or more yards in 2011 - the most in its Division I era.

As wide receiver coach, Wood coached Marcus Rivers to his first All-MAC selection. In addition, Alex Nuetz had the best season of his young career with a team-high 641 receiving yards in only nine games.



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FAMU hires Alex Wood as new head football coach

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M announced the hiring of Alex Wood as its 17th head football coach on Tuesday during a 3 p.m. news conference at the Galimore-Powell Fieldhouse. 

Wood has more than 35 years of coaching experience at the high school, collegiate and professional levels

Prior to accepting the top job at FAMU, Wood served as offensive coordinator at the University of Buffalo (UB) from 2011-14. This past October, he was tapped to serve as interim head coach replacing head Jeff Quinn, who was relieved of his duties, for the final four games (2-2).

Wood is credited with directing a prolific offense at Buffalo, which averaged over 400 yards and 30 points per game during his four-year stint. In 2014, the team finished fourth in total offense and third in scoring offense in the Mid-American Conference, and in 2012 became the first Division I FBS program to amass over 2,000 yards rushing and passing in the same season.

He served as running back coach at University of Miami from 1989-93 helping the team to a pair of national championships, including a perfect 12-0 in 1991.

Wood served as head coach at James Madison University (JMU) from 1995-1998 and led them to an 8-4 record and the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs in 1995.

Wood also served as a coach in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Minnesota Vikings.

“When President (Elmira) Mangum tasked me with completing the search for a head coach with a proven record of developing a competitive program, possessing high moral and ethical character, capacity to inspire our student -athletes, and the capabilities to take the program in a new direction, one of the first persons that came to mind was Alex Wood,” said Interim AD Nelson Townsend. “The stars aligned perfectly for FAMU to get a coach of the caliber of Alex,” added Townsend.

“I am delighted to join the Rattler family,” said Wood at the news conference. After meeting with Interim AD Nelson and President Mangum, I am thoroughly convinced that working together with Board of Trustees, students, faculty, alumni, and supporters that I can build a competitive football program that will play a positive role in helping FAMU enhance its brand and achieve its mission of becoming a best-in-class academic institution.”

Commenting on the hiring of Wood, President Elmira Mangum said, “I applaud the ability of Interim AD Townsend to swiftly, yet carefully and deliberately, complete the search for a new head coach. Moreover, I commend him for identifying a person with the capabilities and integrity of Alex Wood.”

ALEX WOOD PERSONAL: Wood is a native of Massillon, Ohio, and was a standout football player and wrestler at Washington High School. He and his wife, Rosa, have three children--Jerrel, Alex and Natalie. His son Alex is the defensive coordinator at Wayne (NE) State College.

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Commentary: B-CU’s hiring of Terry Sims looks like the right move

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — Quite often, when a head coach leaves a program, many people within that program call out for the promotion of an existing staff member.

But usually, when a coach leaves a program, it’s not his choice. While promoting an existing assistant might comfort the players, recruits and current coaching staff, it makes little sense. It’s time to change directions entirely.

Sometimes, however, continuity isn’t just popular and convenient. It also can be the right move.

The promotion of Terry Sims from assistant to head coach at Bethune-Cookman looks like the right and proper move. It looks for all the world like an athletic program that didn’t try to outsmart itself.

“Continuity of leadership,” was a phrase tossed around a few times Monday when Lynn Thompson, B-CU’s athletic director, introduced Sims for the first time as the top Wildcat.

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Dawson Odums is staying at Southern, Bethune-Cookman promotes assistant head coach Terry Sims to head coach

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern coach Dawson Odums isn’t going to Bethune-Cookman.

The Wildcats received permission from the Jaguars on Friday morning to interview Odums, who has led Southern to the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship games in each of his two seasons as head coach.

But they apparently never met with Odums, who was defensive line coach at B-CU from 2005-07, before promoting assistant head coach Terry Sims early Monday afternoon. Sims replaced Brian Jenkins, who resigned last week to become head coach at Alabama State.

B-CU, which won a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and was ranked No. 2 nationally this past season, also received permission to speak with Tennessee State coach Rob Reed, but he agreed to an extension Friday night.

The Wildcats were paying Jenkins $265,000 per year after he received a raise two years ago when he was a finalist for the Southern job before the Jaguars promoted Odums from interim coach to head coach.

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Bethune-Cookman promotes Terry Sims as new head football coach

TERRY SIMS
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman University introduced Terry Sims as the Wildcats new head football coach Monday at a press conference on the B-CU campus.

"I'm very confident. I'm a confident person," Sims said after being introduced. "I will be different from Coach [Brian] Jenkins. I'm a people person and so we will be different in that sense."

"I'm trying to hold it all back ... I'm bubbling right now. It's a great Christimas gift and I can't wait to get going."

Sims, who served as assistant head coach/special teams/safeties for the past five years, takes over the reins following the departure of Brian Jenkins, who left for a similar position at Alabama State.

"I thought I had the job after he left," Sims said of Jenkins, to much laughter from those in attendance.

It was important for athletics director Lynn Thompson that the search zeroed on Smis to stay in house with the success of the program over the past five years.

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B-CU Football Sets Monday Press Conference at 1 p.m.

COACH TERRY SIMS
(Courtesy: B-CU Athletics)

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman University is set to hold a press conference in the Harold V. Lucas Hall of Fame, located on the first floor of the Larry R. Handfield Athletic Training Center on the campus of B-CU. The press conference, scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., will feature Bethune-Cookman Director of Athletics Lynn W. Thompson as he discusses the future of Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats Football. All media wishing to attend are asked to be present and in place for the event by 12:45 p.m. The press conference will be streamed live via CatEye Network.

The event is also open to the public, and all are asked to attend.

However, the front row will be dedicated to the working press. Plenty of standing room is available as well.

Who: Lynn W. Thompson (B-CU Director of Athletics)
What: Media Availability
When: Mon., Dec. 22, 2014 – 1 p.m.
Where: Harold V. Lucas Hall of Fame (Larry R. Handfield Athletic Training Center)

Please contact B-CU Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Bryan J. Harvey via email or phone if you have any further questions.

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Offensive Coordinator Mark Orlando Walks Away From Texas Southern for Alabama State

HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern University head football coach Darrell Asberry has announced that recently hired Offensive Coordinator Mark Orlando has resigned effective immediately to accept a similar position at Alabama State University.

"Coach Orlando has informed me of his decision to join the Alabama State football coaching staff," said Asberry. "We wish him well and we'll begin the process of identifying someone to fill the now vacant position."

Asberry hopes to name a new Offensive Coordinator within the upcoming weeks.

"We hope to move quickly in the naming of our next Offensive Coordinator," said Asberry. "There are several that I have in mind which should expedite the process of bringing in a qualified replacement."

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NOTE: Coach Mark Orlando is one of the six named finalist for the Florida A&M University head football coach vacancy.  Is Orlando taking himself out of the running for the Rattlers top position or increasing his personal economic stimulus package?  An educated guess says the short list now consists of: Joker Phillips, Corey Fuller, Tony Samuels, EJ Junior and Charlie Weatherbie.  Just pick a winner, FAMU!   

Bluefield State outplay Bowie State for Sims Classic Championship

BLUEFIELD, West Virginia -- The Herb Sims Classic finished up with another Lady Blues victory over the Bowie State Lady Bulldogs 90-68 Saturday afternoon in the Ned E. Shott Gymnasium.

The first game of the day was West Virginia Tech against Kentucky State. West Virginia Tech had a good showing, but couldn't overcome the deficit they kept facing. Kentucky State defeated West Virginia Tech 85-60.

The Lady Blues had another hot streak in the beginning of the game with a 7-2 lead. Midway through the half, the Lady Blues pushed the lead to 12 after an old fashioned 3-point play, a layup and a free-throw, by Senior Tasia Nolan (pictured) and a layup by Sophomore Shakima Wiggins.

Bowie State came back to take a 2 point lead under two mins left, but Shakima Wiggins grabbed an offensive rebound and made a layup to tie the score 35-35 at the half.

In the second half, both teams were scoring back and forth baskets, but by the midway point, the Lady Blues were up by 21 points, 70-49. The Lady Blues pushed the lead to 27 at one point, but ultimately won by 22 points.

Four players for the Lady Blues were in double-figures. Senior Tasia Nolan had a double-double with 13 points (5-for-6 shooting) and 11 rebounds, she also had 4 assists. Senior Charity Harris had 22 points on (6-for-11 shooting) and 2-for-4 from 3-point land. She also had 7 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal.

Senior Hope Smith was efficient with 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting and grabbed 4 rebounds. Sophomore Shakima Wiggins had 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist.

The Lady Blues next game will be against North Carolina Central University in an exhibition on Jan. 3rd, 2014 at 2pm in Durham, NC.

COURTESY BLUEFIELD STATE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

HBCUGameday: HBCU Coaching Moves

Steven J. Gaither and Tolly Carr break down a wild week of coaching moves around the MEAC, SWAC and CIAA in Dec. 2014.

Claflin men defeat Florida Tech, 85-66

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Florida Tech (9-2) was unable to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit on the road Saturday afternoon, falling 85-66 to Claflin (3-6) at Tullis Arena. 

Claflin held the Panthers to a season-low 38.2 field goal percentage and an 18.8 three-point percentage. Coincidentally, the opposition shot the best an opponent has on the Panthers this season, connecting on 56.9-percent. Claflin also hit 5-of-13 from long distance, while holding FIT to 3-of-16 from three-point range.

Chris Carter paced all scorers with a season-high 27 points, 13 were earned from the free throw line. Jermaine Jackson finished with 16. Claflin surrendered only seven points to Corbin Jackson, who entered the game averaging just over 15 points. Defensively, Jackson totaled five blocks, one off his season-high.

“Hats off to (head coach) Ricky Jackson and his staff,” head coach Billy Mims said. “They had a great game plan. They exposed a lot of our weaknesses today. They did a great job taking away things we like to do and they forced us to do things we don’t like to do. They played harder and smarter than we did.”

Trailing by 17 points with 16:07 remaining, FIT trimmed its deficit to nine in less than three minutes following a three-point play by Jermaine Jackson. However, Claflin’s Fare’al Walker pushed his team’s lead back to double figures with a layup at the 12:53 mark.

Claflin never let up the rest of the game, winning by 19 points for its third win. Adolph Caldwell scored a team-high 21 points. Walker led all rebounders with 12 and he helped his team outrebound FIT 40-30. Claflin also won points in the paint, 42-30, and bench scoring, 39-4.

The Panthers will have a 10-day break before they take on Stetson on Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. in DeLand. The game is an exhibition contest for the Panthers and a regular-season match-up for the Hatters.

The game will be carried on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app. FIT fans can also tune into Jim Mitchell’s audio broadcast at FloridaTechSports.com/live.

COURTESY FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Texas Southern Tigers upset Michigan State for 1st win over AP Top 25 team since '94

EAST LANSING, Michigan  --  It's been almost twenty years to the day the last time Texas Southern defeated a ranked opponent. On Saturday the Tigers captured the biggest win in the Mike Davis era versus one of the top programs in the nation.

History once again repeated itself in the month of December as the Texas Southern Tigers won a thrilling 71-64 contest over Big Ten member Michigan State on the road.

The game went into overtime tied at 55. TSU's Chris Thomas scored 22 points, and Texas Southern never trailed in the extra session. The Tigers had not beaten an AP Top 25 team since a win over 16th-ranked Minnesota on Dec. 21, 1994.

"We did know it was possible as long as we stayed as a team," Thomas said. "We've played good teams before. We knew we were getting better."



Michigan State needed a free throw with 6.8 seconds left in regulation just to force overtime.

The Spartans came in leading the nation at 44 percent from 3-point range, but they went 4-of-21 against Texas Southern.

In the final seconds of overtime, the Tigers converted key free throws to finish off the game.

The Spartans led 30-25 at halftime, and after the Tigers tied it early in the second, Michigan State seemed to begin to get in a groove. But after a 3-pointer gave the Spartans a 50-42 lead, Texas Southern went on an 11-2 run and took a 53-52 advantage on Jason Carter's 3-pointer with 1:26 remaining.

The Tigers were up one when MSU came up with an offensive rebound and the Spartans drew a foul in the final seconds of regulation. Michigan State got one of two free throws to tie it at 55.

Texas Southern regrouped and scored the first four points of overtime, and the Tigers defense got the needed stops to win the contest. The Spartans didn't make a field goal in overtime until the final minute.

TSU turned the ball over only 11 times and shot a season-best 53 percent from the field.

"It means a lot, but we're not done yet," Thomas said. "We've got to win a lot more games to get to the tournament. It doesn't stop here."

Malcolm Riley scored 20 points for Texas Southern in what will go down as one of the biggest wins in the history of the TSU Tigers basketball program.

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION