Dawgs Travel to Alabama to Take on the GCAC’s Top Team
TALLADEGA, AL. – After starting 2024 winning their first four games, the Fisk University Bulldogs (8-11, 5-5 GCAC) dropped two road games last week. Last Thursday's heartbreaking loss at Wiley, where they lost a five-point lead in the final minute, seemed to be on the team's mind in the 27-point loss at Philander Smith on Saturday. Breaking the losing streak won't be easy, as they will travel to take on the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference leader, Talladega College (17-3, 7-1 GCAC), and then on Saturday, they will be at Oakwood University.
"Momentum is a key in every sport and dropping that game the way we did at Wiley might had an effect at Philander," said Fisk Head Coach Kenny Anderson. "These are still young men that sometimes it takes a while to get past things. I told them that no one would feel sorry for them. We must go and play hard. We had a great week of practice. Sometimes losing will get your attention."
For Talladega, this has been a busy week as they split two games in New Orleans. On Monday, they suffered their first conference loss to Southern University of New Orleans but bounced back the next night defeating Dillard. The long and athletic team is only giving up 56.3 points per game. Wiley is the only GCAC team that has scored more than 70 against them but still fell 76-72.
The key for Fisk will be to get baskets in transition but of the tough half-court defense that Talladega possesses. Or the Bulldogs to try to make this game a track meet so their explosive wings can get easy baskets. Fisk will also have to be better when they go to the free throw line.
The WMG "Pick 2 Click" for the game is Michael Ashley. Ashley was held scoreless the last time out against Philander Smith for the first time in his college career. Look for the senior to get those tough baskets and putbacks when Fisk is in their half-court set.
Game 20: Fisk University (8-11, 5-5 GCAC) at Talladega College (17-3, 7-1 GCAC)
Date/Time: Thursday, February 1 | 7:00 p.m. (CST)
Watch: HBCU Plus
Location: Dr. Billy Hawkins Student Activity Center, Talladega, Alabama
Quick Hits
Anderson's Tough Schedule Will Be Key When Conference Play Starts
With two NCAA D1 teams (TSU and Austin Peay) on the schedule, one might think that head coach Kenny Anderson is setting his team up for failure. Anderson scheduled them, and NAIA powers Faulkner (AL) University, Clark Atlanta, Freed-Hardeman University, Bethel University, Life University, and Wilberforce University to set his team up for success once the conference season rolls around.
Spicy Wings
Anderson has some athletic wings at his disposal, in Jayden Lockett, Tyon Thompson, and Blake Goodman. The three have shown up huge this season. Lockett, a former Mr. Basketball candidate in Tennessee, is filling up the scoresheet with "Scottie Pippen" type numbers. On January 9th, he scored his 1,000th career collegiate point. Thompson is the team's leading scorer, doubling up as a point guard at times. Goodman has two 30-point games this season with a high of 36 in the first game against Faulkner University.
Ashley and Martin Bring Physicality to Interior
One of the most expensive cars is an Ashton Maritn. At Fisk Ashley and Maritn have been a motor in the middle that has helped the team succeed. Michael Ashley, a senior and former NCAA football player from Atlanta, and classmate Tyree Martin from Chicago are big and physical posts for the Bulldogs. Ashley is averaging 10.2 rebounds per game against conference opponents and the 6'9 Maritn has made it tough for opponents to get points in the paint.
NEXT UP:
The Bulldogs will finish their four-game road trip, stopping in Huntsville, Alabama on Thursday when they take on Oakwood University.