By Scott C. Wallace

Wallace Media Group

NASHVILLE—The leaves are turning, so that means one thing. It is time for the roundball to begin. For Fisk University men's basketball head coach Kenny Anderson, it is another season of optimism for his team.

Anderson has put together an extremely tough schedule, which features road games against NCAA Division I Schools, Tennessee State University, Long Island (NY) University, and Austin Peay State University. They will also travel to take on NAIA powerhouse Faulkner (AL) University and HBCU rival Clark Atlanta, an NCAA Division !! team.

"We put this schedule together on purpose to put these guys in situations they will see in the conference," said Anderson. "If you don't like competing, you are not at the right school. We live in a world now where exposure means something to players. They will be on ESPN at least three times. They will be playing in hostile environments. We want them ready when their number is called."

Last season, Fisk went from winning no games in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference to winning eight. They also won their first conference tournament game since 2014. The improvement was due to some intense recruiting by Anderson and his staff. Newcomers Tyon Thompson, Michael Ashley, and Jayden Lockett were steady all season. Thompson was named to the All-GCAC First Team, while Ashley made the All-Defensive and All-Tournament teams. Lockett, a "Scottie Pippen" type of player, showed off his two-way ability, shutting down the opponents' top scorer while being a force on offense himself.

Anderson is excited about the three veterans coming back. He also is looking to junior Chris Spears Jr. and transfer Rodney Wiley to run his offense, which features a plethora of weapons. One of the weapons at their disposal is 6'7 small forward Blake Goodman. Goodman sat out last season and has grown muscle to his frame. Anderson describes him as a guy who can fill it up. Murfreesboro native Carrington Allen and Luscious Jackson will be called upon to help.

Sophomore Justin McNelkan has one year of college experience under his belt. He is also going to be looked upon to score.  Jeremiah Armstead is a 6'5 space eater who is getting better each day. Armstead played sparingly last season. Sophomore Tamir Powell is a 6'4 lefthanded slashing point guard. His play puts you in the mind of his head coach.

Anderson worked hard to get a bigger team this season. Three transfer players will have to sit out until they are qualified. Brazilian import Hamilton Wallace is the tallest recruit for Anderson at 7'1. Tyree Martin is 6'9, and Solomon Mustafa-Reid is 6'8.

Anderson has the nucleus to win a lot of games this season. He is looking to the experience of the team and the competition in the pre-conference to help his team in the GCAC.  

"We now have older guys that know how to play the game. The transfer portal forces you to be more aggressive with recruiting," Anderson said. "We are bigger, but I need to teach my points to be true point guards. Everyone wants to score, but who wants to run the offense and stop the opponent? This is God's work for me. Wins and losses don't mean as much as making productive citizens. Let's get this rolling. We are ready to see where we stand."

The Bulldogs' first game is October 27, when they travel to Alabama to take on Faulkner University.