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Articles by Avery Wiggins
Rebuilt Atlanta Dream ready to become contenders once again
As the Atlanta Dream ready for their season opener Saturday with a slate full of fresh faces, they will rely on the strong culture they’ve built in training camp to take their next steps forward in becoming playoff contenders. The team has fallen short of the postseason the last few years – last season by just one game – despite seeing No. 1 draft pick Rhyne Howard named the rookie of the year.
LSU beats Iowa, 105-82, to claim first National Championship
LSU Athletics photo. Shooting and shooting and hard play and rebounding – that is how LSU was able to win its first National Championship, over Iowa Sunday, 105-82. Angel Reese lead the way with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Alexis Morris scored 19 of her 21 points in the second half. A lot of the damage that these two did came in the last two quarters, as they sat a large portion of the first half in foul trouble.
Takeaways from a historical Sweet 16
The upsets, comebacks, great individual performances, shocking moments and late game drama of the last two days made the Sweet 16 perhaps the best one ever. Advancing to the Elite 8 are two teams who have never been before, some who haven’t advanced to this round in a very long time, and some familiar faces.
Intriguing first-round matchups and storylines
Now that the First Four is officially over, the first round of the NCAA Tournament is ready to kick off Friday. Here are some games, teams and players to keep an eye on: Azzi Fudd back in full: After missing nearly two months with a knee injury, the UConn guard averaged 8.3 points in the Big East Tournament. She will have to return to her old self of 13.1 points per game and take it to another level if the Huskies want to keep their Final Four streak of 14 straight years going.
Virginia Tech earns first ACC crown with 75-67 win over Louisville
Virginia Tech raced past Louisville, 75-67, to claim their first ACC Tournament title in program history on Sunday. Georgia Amoore lead the way for the Hokies with 25 points, and was named tournament MVP, after scoring a tournament-best 14 3-pointers in three games. Conference player of the year Elizabeth Kitley added 20 points and Taylor Soule had 13. Kenny Brooks, who became the first Black coach to win an ACC title, credited his players for their work ethic.
Top seeds take care of business in ACC quarterfinals
Hailey Van Lith definitely didn’t feel the early morning rust as she dropped 26 points, including 17 of her team’s first 20 points, in Louisville’s 74-48 win over Wake Forest Friday. She was 62.5 percent from the 3-point line, as she did most of her damage from there in the first quarter, where the Cardinals led 20-8 and never looked back. This late-morning win kicked off the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament.
ACC Tournament day 1 and 2 recap
NC State celebrates their round 2 win Thursday. NC State Athletics photo. There were really no surprises in the first round of the ACC Tournament, as all of the higher ranked seeds won their games. No. 12 seed Wake Forest captured a 68-57 victory over No. 13 Virginia, as Jewel Spear had 19 points on 46.7 percent shooting as well as three rebounds, two assists and two steals. It was a game that Wake Forest led the entire way, as they shot 45.5 percent from the field with 34 paint points.
ACC Tournament promises excitement, surprises
Tomorrow, the much-anticipated ACC Tournament tips off in Greensboro, North Carolina. Though five teams are ranked in the top 25 this week, it is a mystery as to who will claim the crown in Sunday’s championship game. This year – one of its best in recent memory – the ACC is like an iceberg: there is a lot more depth to this conference than meets the eye.
Tennessee State moves up in OVC standings after win over UT Martin
The Tennessee State Tigers men’s basketball team held on to defeat the UT Martin Skyhawks 88-82 Thursday night thanks to several clutch plays and big shots in what was a key Ohio Valley Conference game. The Tigers led by as many as 18 points at one point in the first half, but the Skyhawks slowly chipped away and eventually took a 1-point lead. But the Tigers quickly got it back and didn’t relinquish it again thanks to huge crunch-time plays on both ends by center Adong Makuoi.
Tennessee State falls to UT Martin in critical OVC contest
On “We Back Pat” day in honor of the late great Tennessee women’s basketball head coach Pat Summitt, it wound up being the Tennessee State Tigers who fell flat against UT Martin 75-59 Thursday night at The Elam Center. Despite shooting 52.2% from the field, TSU was unable to overcome 29 turnovers and the Skyhawks shooting 93.1% from the free-throw line.
Howard swimming program featured on Sports Illustrated cover
The Howard University swim and dive team — the only HBCU program in the country — received the ultimate cosign in sports by being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The cover, entitled “Nobody In America Can Offer What We Have,” is a part of the publication’s digital daily cover. It is the first time an all-Black college swimming program has been featured.
SWAC rivals to square off in HBCU Classic at NBA All-Star Weekend with a lot on the line
As a part of NBA All-Star Weekend, the league will host the second annual NBA HBCU Classic featuring Grambling State and the Southern. In last year’s matchup, Howard defeated Morgan State 68-66 in a game between two MEAC rivals. The game serves as a platform to lift up and support HBCUs. In addition, a reported $100,000 each will be donated to both Grambling State and Southern. Before the game, there will be a pep rally that will feature performances from the marching bands of both schools.
Freshman Latson exceeding expectations, leading FSU resurgence
For every match up, it’s always the same. Before she takes the court, Ta’Niya Latson goes through her usual pregame ritual: she takes a nap, prays, and talks to her mother. Also, if it is a big game, she will listen to R&B music. With the matchups she knows they are going to win, rap music is usually the loop of choice. But no matter who the Florida State Seminoles are facing, the standout freshman guard always comes in with tunnel vision.
Maryland Eastern Shore and Howard play a swing game in the MEAC
An important MEAC men’s basketball matchup will take place the day after the Super Bowl as the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks and the Howard Bison will play each other for better positioning in the conference standings. Howard is first in the MEAC at 7-1 and Maryland Eastern Shore is third at 6-2, respectively. Howard comes in on a seven-game winning streak, with four of them being close victories.
Streaking Maryland Eastern Shore, Norfolk State have a lot on the line in MEAC meeting
After a big win on national TV against their crosstown rival Hampton, the Norfolk State Spartans will travel 119 miles to face the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks in an important MEAC matchup. Norfolk State and UMES are among the top three teams in the conference, with the Hawks leading the MEAC with a 6-1 record. The Spartans are in third place at 5-2. This game will also have massive implications for the MEAC standings going forward with several tie-breaking scenarios at play.
Former MEAC rivals meet in important CAA matchup
Hampton and North Carolina A&T — former MEAC and current CAA rivals — will come into its latest matchup with a lot on the line. The Pirates are ninth in the conference at 4-6 and the Aggies are tied for first place at 9-2. The first time the teams met in January, the Aggies won a close 75-70 decision in overtime, led by 29 points from Maleia Bracone. That win enabled Hampton to keep pace with Drexel in the conference standings leadership.
Tar Heels charging toward strong finish with momentum, cohesion
This season the ACC has seen the reemergence of the longtime Triangle rivalry between the three largest North Carolina basketball schools: No. 9 Duke, No. 14 North Carolina and No. 22 NC State. Who comes out on top when all is said and done has yet to be determined, but it is the veteran-laden Tar Heels who have the advantage so far. They are the only team of the triad to have beaten the other two. Both victories were a part of an eight-game winning streak that extended from Jan. 8-Feb. 2.
Joe Bryant Jr. leads the way in neutral site Battle of the Bay win
In the New Jersey version of the Battle of the Bay, Norfolk State got the better of Hampton 83-71 in the second game of Michael B. Jordan’s HBCU Legacy Classic. Reigning MEAC Player of the Year Joe Bryant Jr. was the star of the show scoring 29 points and dishing out five assists. The two stars off of the bench for Norfolk State were Dana Tate Jr. (21 points and six rebounds) and Cahiem Brown (16 points, three rebounds and five assists).
Morgan State posts double-digit win over Delaware State in HBCU Legacy Classic
In the first game of Michael B. Jordan’s HBCU Legacy Classic, the Morgan State Bears downed the Delaware State Hornets 75-65 on the back of Kamron Hobbs’ 24-point effort. The Bears took advantage of their massive differential in paint points, with 44 compared to just 26 for the Hornets. Morgan State also doubled the Hornets in fastbreak and bench points. Also in double-figures for the Bears were Lewis Djonkam (18 points) and Isaiah Burke (11 points).
ACC parity bodes well for deep NCAA Tournament runs
Ta’Niya Latson runs past the Boston College defense. Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images photo.When it comes to the most intriguing conference in women’s college basketball, many seem to agree that the ACC takes the cake. With six teams ranked in the AP Top 25, the entire conference has been full of great battles and storylines this season.
HBCU football players, coaches make presence know at NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
HBCU football players and coaches participated in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Saturday. The unofficial college football all-star game was a showcase for prospects to show off their skills to NFL teams. In addition to five HBCU players who made up the National Team and American Team rosters, Tennessee State head coach Eddie George was part of the National Team staff. George was joined on the National Team by Fort Valley State running back Emanuel Wilson and Jackson State cornerback Isaiah Bolden.
This junior college transfer has Grambling State a SWAC championship contender
When the Grambling State men’s basketball team hosted Colorado in Grambling, La. last November, as a part of the PAC-12/SWAC Legacy Series, the Tigers managed to secure an 83-74 win in a game where power forward Carte’are Gordon logged 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two blocks. This was the second win in Grambling State’s history over a Power Five school. Then, almost one month later, on Dec. 9, the Tigers played another Power Five program on the road at Vanderbilt.
How Tuskegee swingman Reco Hallmon went from unheralded recruit to Golden Tigers glue guy
It was Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, exactly three weeks and three days before COVID-19 officially shut down live sports for months. Tuskegee was hosting its final home game of the season before a three-game road trip before the SIAC Tournament began. The Golden Tigers ended up beating the Lane College Dragons 86-65 in an environment that impressed a future Tuskegee combo guard who was in attendance.
Notre Dame is back, and ready to return to the top
The bell had been rung, and Maddy Westbeld answered the call. Her Notre Dame Fighting Irish had just lost to the North Carolina Tar Heels earlier this month, and were looking to bounce back against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons four days later. The Irish won going away 86-47, due to Westbeld maybe playing the best game of her career so far with 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.
'It feels surreal:' Fisk gymnasts warm hearts, steals show during historic meet
ATHENS, Ga — After Ohio State and Rutgers were introduced, out came the Fisk University gymnastics team to a roar. All of the gymnasts were introduced one by one, much to the cheers of the Fisk supporters seated throughout Stegeman Coliseum last Monday at the University of Georgia.
Personnel, defense and chemistry cuing Duke’s resurgence
She sits in her office at Duke University wearing her Team USA hoodie, and behind her are two framed pictures, which serve as touchstones. One is a photo of her and three gold medalists from the U.S. women’s 3×3 basketball team, the first team ever to win gold in a sport that made its debut at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo two years ago. The other is a picture of her with the Boston Celtics team that she was an assistant coach for before being hired by the Blue Devils in the summer of 2020.
Howard thumps Morehouse in MLK Day Classic
In the fifth edition of the MLK Day Classic, the Howard Bison won over the Morehouse Maroon Tigers 89-65 in a matchup between two of the most renowned HBCUs in the country. The game also marked the first time that Howard has ever played another HBCU on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Previously the Bison played two Harvard and Yale — both of the Ivy League — and then Notre Dame last season.
Alabama State to play Alabama A&M in MLK Day Bridge Builder Classic
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Mobile, Alabama will host the Bridge Builder Classic, which will feature high school and HBCU basketball games. SWAC rivals Alabama A&M and Alabama State square off in a men’s and women’s doubleheader. Neither side is having the greatest season as both are in the bottom half of the SWAC standings. The Bulldogs are 6-11 overall and 2-2 in conference play. The Hornets are 4-13 overall and 2-2 in the SWAC.
Virginia Tech duo having fun as “Queens of Cassell” with new podcast
One is from North Carolina. One is from Australia. One is a senior. One is a junior. One is the reigning ACC Player of the Year. One had the first triple-double in school history. Their names are Elizabeth Kitley and Georgia Amoore, and together, they are the Queens of Cassell. That is, according to their podcast of the same name, which they created prior to the season. The Virginia Tech Hokies are currently No. 13 in the AP top 25 poll, and the two friends have been a big part of the reason why.
‘Everyone is excited’: Fisk women’s gymnastics team competes in first-ever NCAA meet
On Friday, the Fisk University women’s gymnastics team officially became the first HBCU to compete in a college meet. Fisk was part of the two-day Super 16 event in Las Vegas. On the first day, they finished with a total score of 186.700, good for fourth place in session one. Fisk immediately hit the ground running as Naimah Muhammad led off by showing off her tumbling skills, earning a score of 9.600 on the floor exercises due to a double tuck maneuver.
SC State women's basketball coach gets $250K in wrongful termination lawsuit
Former South Carolina State women’s basketball coach Audra Smith received $250,000 from the school after she sued both the school and the athletic director at the time for wrongful termination. Smith was fired in February 2022 for what SC State alleged was offering more scholarships than they could afford as well as declining to follow health and safety protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by WCSC.
Bethune-Cookman hired Ed Reed as head coach. Here is how the sports world reacted
The Bethune-Cookman football program named Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed as their next head coach. From ex-NFL players to notable commentators in media, here is how the sports world reacted. VIDEO
Georgia Tech completes pre-ACC play with an 82-41 rout of Furman
Georgia Tech’s offensive power got them back in the winning column Wednesday to end preconference play with an 82-41 romp over Furman. Bianca Jackson lead the way for the Yellow Jackets with 21 points, while Tonie Morgan put up 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Cameron Swartz added 11 points. But it was the team’s willingness to share the ball that made the biggest impression with the coaching staff.
What the Celebration Bowl means to me, an Atlantan
The Celebration Bowl really does live up to its billing. It truly is a celebration of HBCU football in all its glory. This year’s game was truly thrilling, as I was able to view it from the mid-deck of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, as a part of a sell-out crowd of 49,670, a record high. It was a true back-and-forth in every sense of the word, with the North Carolina Central Eagles winning 41-34 in overtime over the Jackson State Tigers after a thrilling end to regulation.
Jackson State football players stand by Deion Sanders amid move to Colorado
Ever since Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders made the decision to accept the head coaching job at the University of Colorado, the reaction has been polarized, to say the least. Some love it, seeing it as Sanders going to be a better opportunity with more money and more resources. Others hate it, viewing the move as a betrayal of HBCUs and accusing him of being disingenuous in his intentions.
South Carolina State receiver Shaq Davis declared for the NFL Draft. What is his pro outlook?
South Carolina State wide receiver Shaquan “Shaq” Davis has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. As one of the top receivers in MEAC, he is best known for his performance in the 2021 Celebration Bowl, where had five catches for 95 yards and three touchdowns en route to being named offensive MVP. This season, he had 45 catches, 934 yards and 11 touchdowns. At 6-5 and 215 pounds, it will be interesting to see where he goes in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Here is what Twitter is saying about Deion Sanders to Colorado
What has been long expected is now official. Jackson State head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders has accepted an offer to become the head coach at Colorado. After turning the HBCU program into a contender and a recruiting powerhouse, Sanders now looks to do the same thing at a Power Five school. Here is what Twitter thinks of the move.
Jimmy V Classic set to deliver top-notch matchups
Two big national-tv showcase games will take place this Sunday for two of the best teams in the ACC. During the Jimmy V Classic, the No. 9 Virginia Tech Hokies will travel to Knoxville to play the Tennesssee Lady Volunteers, and the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish will host the No. 3 UConn Huskies in South Bend, Indiana. Both of these games will be broadcast to a huge audience, as the former will be on ESPN2 at 1 p.m. EST and the latter will be on ABC at 3 p.m. EST.
Coach Prime's future, Southern redemption among storylines to watch
The long-awaited SWAC Championship Game will take place on Saturday between Southern and Jackson State in Jackson, Mississippi. The Tigers, 11-0, will seek to clinch its second straight appearance in the Celebration Bowl with a win, while the 7-4 Jaguars are looking for the program’s first SWAC title since 2013. This will be a rematch of the Oct. 29 game, where the Tigers shut out the Jaguars 35-0. Here are a few interesting storylines going into this game involving both teams.
Mississippi Valley State to host Utah in final PAC-12/SWAC Legacy Series game
When: Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, 6 p.m. EST Where: R.W. Harrison HPER Complex, Itta Bena, Mississippi How to watch: ESPN+ How to listen: G-line radio In the final game of the PAC-12/SWAC Legacy Series, the Mississippi Valley State women’s basketball team will host Utah Thursday in a matchup featuring two completely different teams. The Utes are ranked No. 16 in the AP women’s basketball rankings and are currently fourth in the PAC-12 at 6-0.
ACC/Big Ten Challenge preview
Taking place this Wednesday and Thursday will be the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, where two of the best women’s basketball conferences will face each other for superiority. Each has five teams ranked in the AP top 25, with the ACC at nine and the Big ten with seven, via ESPN’s bracketology. Many of the 14 games have very interesting storylines within: Illinois vs. Pitt When: Wednesday, 5 p.m. EST Where: Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania How to watch: ACC Network Syracuse vs.
As FSU surpasses expectations early, the sky is the limit
So far, one of the biggest surprises in the ACC this season has been the success of the Florida State Seminoles. They are currently 7-1 and fifth in the ACC standings, far above their preseason predicted ninth-place finish. They started the season 5-0, and recently went 2-1 in the Cancun Challenge in Mexico.
For Benedict coach Chennis Berry, it's about winning football games and souls
It was an inauspicious beginning for Benedict College football head coach Chennis Berry. After being hired as the team’s head coach on Feb.11, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck a few weeks later and because of that, he was forced to change the way in which he wanted to build his program. Two years later, Berry has been able to build his program into something worthwhile. The Tigers are 11-0, SIAC champions, and a No. 1 seed as they host Wingate on Saturday in the NCAA Division Ⅱ playoffs.
The way too early HBCU Division I March Madness tournament projections
Last season, five HBCUs (two from SWAC, three from MEAC) advanced to the 2022 NCAA Division Ⅰ men’s basketball tournament. Also, three HBCUs (one from SWAC, two from MEAC) teams made it to the 2022 NCAA Division Ⅰ women’s basketball tournament. On the men’s side, Alcorn State, Maryland Eastern Shore, and Morgan State lost in the First Four. Texas Southern won over Texas A&M-Corpus Christie in the First Four and later fell to the eventual champion Kansas Jayhawks in the round of 64.
ACC Thanksgiving tournament-by-tournament preview
This week will definitely be a gluttonous week for ACC fans, as not only is it Thanksgiving, but 14 of the conference’s 15 teams will be participating in early season tournaments. Competition will take place all around North America and the Caribbean, with three tournaments taking place in the Bahamas, two in U.S. territories, three in Florida, one in Mexico, two in Oregon and one in Virginia.
Southern women take on No. 20 Oregon in SWAC/Pac-12 challenge
The first women’s game in this year’s PAC-12/SWAC Legacy Series should be very interesting between Oregon and Southern. Southern has not gotten off to a great start this season after advancing to the SWAC tournament semifinals last season. Its two losses so far have come to No. 4 Iowa and No. 8 Iowa State in blowout fashion. Now, the Jaguars must continue their brutal stretch to start the season at home with another AP Top 25 opponent in No. 20 Oregon.
Texas Southern goes big game hunting against Arizona State
Arizona State and Texas Southern are teams that are literally polar opposites. The Tigers (0-2) not only have an opportunity to notch their first win of the season but also continue the success of SWAC in this series after Grambling State defeated Colorado. As one of five HBCUs to have made it to March Madness last season, there were indeed high expectations for the Tigers coming into this season. And they have the chance to make a statement with a potential win over a Power 5 school.
Georgia Tech still cobbling new pieces together as they grab first win
Bianca Jackson heads to the basket in the Yellow Jacket’s win. Georgia Tech Athletics photo. “Well, we’ve got a long way to go.” That was Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets coach Nell Fortner’s takeaway from her team’s season-opening 60-42 win Thursday over the Georgia State Panthers. Despite the rout, Fortner was very disappointed in her team’s performance in what she saw as “not a very pleasant display of Power 5 basketball.” It’s hard to disagree with her sentiment.
Grambling State hosts Colorado in historic HBCU-Power 5 matchup
The PAC-12/SWAC Legacy Series begins with the Colorado Buffaloes heading to the Bayou to take on Grambling State. Friday’s game is one in a series of contests between the two leagues aimed to raise awareness on race and social justice issues. Tip-off is scheduled at 7 p.m. on ESPN+. The Buffaloes are currently fifth in the PAC-12 with a 2-0 record, with wins over Nebraska and UC Riverside, respectively.
Here's how HBCU basketball squads fared against NCAA tournament teams on opening night
The women’s college basketball season got underway this week and six HBCU teams played several NCAA tournament qualifiers. Here is how they fared. Florida 83, Florida A&M 55 The Rattlers lost their opener to Florida despite Dylan Horton scoring 20 points on 47% shooting and compiling four rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Other notable performers included Ahriahna Grizzle (11 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and one steal) and Mide Oriyomi (7 points and 11 rebounds).
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