Dawgs’ NOLA Trip Starts with Tilt Against Dillard
NEW ORLEANS– Mardi Gras has come and gone. For the Fisk University Bulldogs (11-12, 8-6 GCAC) they hope the good times will keep rolling when they take on the Dillard Bleu Devils (10-13, 6-10 GCAC) in the first of two games this week in New Orleans (7 PM HBCU+).
Dillard is coming in on a high note after defeating crosstown rival SUNO 74-55 last week, breaking a three-game losing streak. They will finish up their GCAC portion of the regular season with a home game on Saturday against Oakwood University. The team currently sits in ninth place in the conference. With two wins, they can end up in fifth place.
The Bulldogs, who have three conference games left, sit in fourth place. With a lot of help, they can end up in third place but could sink as low as eight. Both teams need to play well down the stretch, to be ready for the highly competitive GCAC tournament.
"We dropped a tough one at home, so we have to somehow get that one back," said Fisk Head Coach Kenny Anderson. "Dillard is always a tough place to place. We have been up and down all season. It is important to play well as we get ready for the tournament."
The WMG "Pick 2 Click" for the game is Rodney Wiley. Anderson has been waiting all season for one of his point guards to step up and take control. Wiley has been playing well lately and has earned a starting position.
Game 20: Fisk University (11-12, 8-6 GCAC) at Dillard University (6-10, 10-13 GCAC)
Date/Time: Thursday, February 15 | 7:00 p.m. (CST)
Watch: HBCU Plus
Location: The Castle, Dillard University
Quick Hits
Armstead Named Perry Wallace Courage Award Winner
Jeremiah Armstead came to Fisk last season after being homeless. He story was featured in The Washington Post. He was named the United States Basketball Writers' Association's 2024 Perry Wallace Courage Award winner. Armstead will be invited to take part in the NCAA's Final Four Weekend.
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 four 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 on the is an Ashton Martin. 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 be back at home on Thursday when they take on the University of the Virgin Islands.