MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW: Crutcher Brings Calm Approach to Bulldog Basketball

NASHVILLE (October 25, 2024) – Webster's dictionary describes panic as; a sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety, often causing wildly unthinking behavior. For the Fisk University Men's Basketball Team, not panicking is what they have been working on all preseasons.

New head coach Jeremiah Crutcher's demeanor off the court is mild, a direct opposite of panic. He was officially hired in early August. He built Nashville Whites Creek High School  back to prominence in only three seasons. One would think the late start would put him in panic mode. Crutcher took all of that in stride and is ready to get the season started.

"I have been in situations in the past that I started behind the eight ball," said Crutcher. "I learned to deal with what is in front of you. There were people taking care of the players and schedule while the hiring process was going on. I got here and hit the ground running. I am excited to get things going."

One of those people that kept the ship afloat over the summer was his top assistant, Blake Jones. Jones was a volunteer assistant in 2023-24 and was the only coach held over. Jones was busy working out recruits, talking to opposing coaches, and doing things to make sure the returners were all set once school was let back in. Graduate Assistant Mekhi Yant was also a fixture in the summer helping, along with Strength Coach Jeff Anderson. Head Golf Coach Robert Moore is a frequent contributor at practices. Moore, a Fisk Hall of Famer, Anderson, and Yant all played basketball at the university.

Those returners include last season's seven ranked rebounder in the HBCU, Michael Ashley. Ashley honed his game over the summer and added a three-point shot. The graduate student out of Atlanta was named to the Preseason All-HBCU Athletic Conference's second team. Sophomores Solomon Mustafa-Reid and Mitch Seay played heavy minutes last year but were role players. This season they will be looked upon to be a force on both ends. Carrington Allen, Jeremiah Armstead, Justin McNelkan, and Chris Spears are returners that will be looked upon early while the newcomers find their way.

"Those guys went through some adversity, but all have come in ready," said Jones. "I was on them all summer to get their minds and body right. Mitch is probably the most improved. He played a lot last season so he made it a point to get better. Jeremiah, Justin, and Carrington were in Nashville most of the summer. They were in the gym all the time."

Junior Lucious Jackson made the team after trying out last year, being on the roster but not getting any playing time. The Houston native is the grandson of former Philadelphia 76er World Champion Luke Jackson. His two-way ability will remind Fisk fans of former player Jayden Lockett.

The transfer portal has been good for Crutcher. His first recruit after he was hired was former Pearl-Cohn star Doyel Cockrill III, who came in from Cumberland University. 6'10 behemoth Tynerian Jackson will join Ashley, and Mustafa-Reid and transfers Tyler Coley, Kelvin Lusk, and Brock Wesley to form a physical front line. Former Nashville Hunters Lane standout Asa Hardyway will bring a spark off the bench. The Vol State transfer shot 42 percent from behind the arc last season. Point guard Mark Cooper, a transfer from Brescia College, is the starting point guard, with Spears backing him up.

As for the freshmen, Cooper and Spears will be grooming Tyrone Robertson Jr. who played last season for Crutcher at Whites Creek. Another freshman, Joshua Thompson Jr. from Memphis Douglass High School. Thompson helped his school defeat Whites Creek last season in the semi-finals of the Class AA Tennessee State Tournament. CC Smith, Andre Bell, and Chase Bell will be put pressure on the veterans for playing time at the small forward position.

Fisk enters the season being picked ninth out of thirteen teams in the HBCU Athletic Conference. Fisk will prepare for conference play by playing on the road at Brescia College, at NAIA National Champion Freed Hardeman, and at NCAA DI teams Tennessee State University and Alabama A&M University. Their lone home game in the first three weeks of the season is Homecoming against Midway University. The hard schedule will be a key to the success of the season. Crutcher is aware of the challenge.

"One thing I know, we will be battle tested before we jump into conference play. I tell the guys all the time that we can't play for them. We will find a nucleus that will work together and compete. The season is here so it is time to show and prove. I'm ready, I hope the team is."