Urban Invitational helps MLB try to lure more blacks to baseball

HOUSTON, Texas  -  For Michael Robertson at Texas Southern, Waskyla Cullivan at Prairie View A&M and the other coaches at Major League Baseball's Urban Invitational, coaching at a historically black university is a mixture of outreach and pragmatism. 

In a sport where black participation is dwindling, Robertson, Cullivan and their colleagues are determined to advance their schools' traditional mission of expanding opportunities. But they also want to - and have to - win games.

And so the six-team field that will compete through Sunday at Minute Maid Park and at Sylvester Turner Park in Acres Homes looks a lot like America - and unlike the bulk of NCAA baseball teams. Blacks accounted for only 5.1 percent of baseball players in NCAA Division I in 2010-11, down from 6.6 percent in 1999-2000. Across all NCAA divisions, blacks make up 3.9 percent of baseball players, down from 4.6 percent in 1999-2000.

By contrast, teams such as TSU, Prairie View and traditional Southwestern Athletic Conference powerhouse Southern are likely to include significant numbers of non-black players.

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FAMU refocused after first MEAC loss

SAVANNAH, Georgia  -  Two games prior to suffering its first loss in conference play, the Florida A&M women's basketball team managed to put itself within reach of making school history despite chronic ball-control issues. So when Howard handed the Rattlers their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference loss, 68-61, last weekend, it wasn't all that shocking to see FAMU was the victim of 23 turnovers.

"It woke us up and let us know that we can be beat any given time," FAMU coach LeDawn Gibson said. "It was very emotional for them. Some girls even shed some tears. It let me know that it bothered them, but they are refocused and ready to go."

The loss in Washington, snapped a 14-game win streak and one more victory would have tied the school record for consecutive victories. FAMU looks to get back on the winning path during its final two road games, first at Savannah State today and then South Carolina State on Monday.

FAMU (17-6, 10-1) has had an entire week to ...

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Big Dance could have some new participants

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This is a club with 306 members, from Air Force to Yale. There are more just dying to get in, from Bethune-Cookman to Youngstown State.  It's the Big Dance Club, and there is only one simple entry rule: Qualify for the NCAA basketball tournament. Just once is all you need, and then you're in the same record book with UCLA and Kentucky.

While 306 schools have done it, new enchanted faces show up every year -- is there any time more magical than the first time? -- with more likely in March.

The top candidates for 2012? Glad you asked.

Savannah State never has made it. But the Tigers lead the MEAC at the moment, although they were picked to finish 11th in the preseason poll. They have won 11 of 12, and hardened themselves with a nonconference march that included Georgetown, Indiana, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Georgia Tech.

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Dunk of the Year Candidate: Hampton’s Derrion Pellum

HAMPTON, Virginia - Whereas most players who attempt an off-the-backboard dunk in a game are accused of favoring style over substance, Hampton's Derrion Pellum managed to pull off the risky move at a time when it wasn't all flash.

In Wednesday night's game against Maryland Eastern Shore, Pellum poked away the ball from guard Mark Robertson at midcourt but didn't have a good angle after he retrieved the ball and raced up court in transition. As a result, Pellum evaded Robertson by tossing the ball off the glass, moving around him and throwing down an emphatic two-handed slam.


Pellum's dunk, posted on YouTube has received more the 1.15 Million Views in 72 hours.

Pellum's self alley-oop earned top play honors on "SportsCenter" and helped the Hampton star receive the type of exposure that is typically difficult for players in the MEAC to get.

Pellum, a senior guard, leads the MEAC in scoring at 18.4 points per game. He scored 33 points against Maryland Eastern Shore, three shy of his career high.

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WSSU badly needs win against J.C. Smith

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - No room for error. That's the situation Winston-Salem State is in after two straight losses, to No. 9 Shaw and to Livingstone.

The fast-fading Rams (17-6, 3-4 CIAA Southern Division) are ranked No. 7 in the Atlantic Region and clinging to hopes of making the NCAA Division II Tournament, but they need to win. They'll try to end their losing streak tonight when they play Johnson C. Smith (10-13, 3-4) at 7 o'clock at the Gaines Center.

The Rams have three regular-season games left before the CIAA tournament in Charlotte. Losses in four of the last six games will make their road to the NCAA tournament tougher, with only the top eight in each region advancing.

Coach Bobby Collins was not happy after Monday's lethargic 83-65 loss to Livingstone. There was an hour-long meeting after the game to clear the air, and Collins also put the Rams through a 6 a.m. practice later in the week.

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FSU carries hot streak into CIAA showdown with Shaw

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina  -  Learning how to win meant losing a lot for the Fayetteville State men's basketball team this season. But after enduring a seven-game losing streak that included two overtime defeats in late January and early February, the Broncos have won four of their least five and three straight.

Coach Alphonza Kee hopes FSU can continue its hot streak into the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament that begins Feb. 28 in Charlotte. But first the Broncos must close out the regular season with three pivotal CIAA games, starting today when Shaw comes to Capel Arena for a 7:30 p.m. game.

The Bears (21-2 overall, 13-0 CIAA) are the nation's No. 9-ranked NCAA Division II team and feature senior point guard Malik Allen. Allen ranks second in CIAA scoring (20.7) and is averaging 3.9 assists.

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Cedric Blossom discusses his commitment to Morgan State

BALTIMORE, Maryland  - During the summer he was the leading scorer on his AAU team. For his powerhouse high school program, he’s the ultimate “glue guy.” No matter the level of competition, and no matter the quantifiable contributions, Cedric Blossom’s do-it-all game has made him a favorite of coaches and players alike.

Blossom’s versatility also made him a prime mid-major recruit, with Bryant, Dartmouth, Holy Cross, Loyola, Morgan State, New Hampshire and Towson among the programs that expressed interest in the 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward. For the Montrose Christian co-captain and Columbia resident, one school seemingly always stood out above the rest.



“Morgan State first saw me on the AAU circuit, probably this summer actually,” Blossom said. “That’s where the head coach basically told me he fell in love with me. He said he needed me on the team.”

Blossom accepted Todd Bozeman’s offer last weekend, giving the Bears coach someone who “does all the little things to help you win.”

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