Fisk Anticipates Dog Fight When They Take on Wilberforce

Game 24: Fisk University Bulldogs (8-16, 6-8 HBCUAC) at Wilberforce University (9-12, 6-8 HBCUAC)

Date/Time: Thursday February 6, 2025, 7 p.m. (CST)

Watch: UEN Network

Location: Wilberforce University

WILBERFORCE, Ohio (February 5, 2025) – There will literally be a dog fight in Ohio on Thursday when the Fisk University Bulldogs take on the Wilberforce University Bulldogs. Both Fisk University and Wilberforce University sit at 6-8 in the East Division of the HBCUAC, making this matchup a crucial one for both teams.

"It is getting down to it and we need to play better to be ready for the postseason," said Fisk head coach Jeremiah Crutcher. "We can't seem to put together consecutive games playing well. For a chance to win the tournament, we will have to win three, maybe four games. We need to have a tournament mentality right now."

After starting the conference season at 5-3, Wilberforce has gone 1-5. Fisk, on the other hand, has not won consecutive games all season. Both teams will try to position themselves in the tournament. They will meet again on February 15 in Nashville, and both have home games against East leader Stillman College.

Key Matchup

Guard Cali Davis (18.9 ppg) has been on a roll lately, scoring in double figures in eight straight games, with four being 20 plus points. He sits in fifth place, right behind Fisk's Doyel Cockrill III (19.4) in points per game in the HBCUAC.

WMG Pick2Click

Michael Ashley has some incentive to finish the season strong. He is 64 points, and 30 rebounds away from having 1,000 in both categories in his career. Fisk has four regular season games and the tournament left for him to try to reach it.

Dawgs at a Glance

Don't Panic

At the press conference to announce Jeremiah Crutcher as the new coach, he told the Fisk faithful to be patient and don't panic. Crutcher has used the don't panic mantra all season. His thoughts are not to get too high when you win, and two low when you lose.

Cockrill Lives Up to Nickname

Nashville native Doyel Cockrill III was given the nickname "City Hero". His battles against Oakland University point guard Jaylon Jones since they were in middle school are still talked about by basketball savants in the city. The Cumberland University transfer has lived up to the hero name since donning the blue and gold of Fisk. He has earned conference weekly honors five times this season. He is second in the conference, five behind teammate Justin McNelkan in three pointers made with 66.

Coming From the Ashes

Grad student Michael Ashley made a last-minute decision to enroll into graduate school and continue his college career. His decision to come back has put him in great company. His fifth year has allowed him a chance to be an 1,000-1,000 career player in points and rebounds.

Famous Grandfather

Junior Lucious Jackson is one of the top defenders on the team. His famous grandfather Luke Jackson was also a defensive stopper when he played in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers. The elder Jackson was the fourth pick in the 1964 NBA Draft and won an NBA title in 1967 playing on the same frontline as Wilt Chamberlain.

UP NEXT: The Bulldogs will take some time off before traveling to Ohio t o take on Wilberforce on Thursday February 6.