SWAC Preview: 2017 Alabama A&M Bulldogs

Courtesy Sidney Jackson / Alabama A&M

Courtesy: Sidney Jackson / Alabama A&M View Photo

Football Preview: Alabama A&M

Courtesy SWAC.org

Mon, August 14, 2017

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –  Alabama A&M head football coach James Spady said during the 2017 SWAC Media Day that he loves everything about his football team.
Alabama A&M appeared to be heading into a positive direction as it produced a one-game improvement from a season ago (4-7 overall, 4-5 SWAC) with a second-place finish in the SWAC Eastern Division in 2016.
Now, the Bulldogs return their entire starting offensive line along with a top running back in the conference and signs from their spring games that they may be able to take the next step forward this upcoming season.
“I wanted to see great effort and we got that on both sides of the ball,” coach Spady said.
“Our defense did dominate us offensively, but there were some things that the offense did that I was fired up about.  We converted more third downs than we had.  We grew as an offensive unit in getting the ball to our different weapons and so it was a successful spring.”
Freshman of the Year running back Jordan Bentley looks to build upon his impressive first season where the All-SWAC First Team Preseason selection rushed for 851 yards on 159 carries (5.4 rushing yards per carry) with nine touchdowns. The six-foot, 200-pound back from Guntersville, Ala. was strong enough to finish with the fourth most rushing yards per contest in the conference with 77.4 yards per contest. Among returning players for the 2017 campaign, Bentley holds the second most rushing yards (only behind 2016 SWAC Championship Game Offensive MVP Martez Carter of Grambling State).
As far as the Bulldogs’ offense as a whole, it showed a slight uptick in production, producing 23.8 points per game (good for sixth in the conference).  Alabama A&M ranked ninth in passing offense (188.6 yards per game), fifth in rushing (178.8 ypg), and was sixth in total offense (367.5 ypg).
The Bulldogs will have to look to a new signal caller this season with the departure of De’Angelo Ballard.  Quarterbacks on the roster who could step into that starting role include redshirt junior Damion May, freshman Aqeel Glass and redshirt freshman Dylan Smith.
A key for the Alabama A&M defense in 2017 will be to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks as no individual Bulldog player ranked inside the top 20 in sacks and the team totaled a league-low nine sacks.
Leading the Bulldogs defense will be senior linebacker Kenneth Davis, who ranked second in the conference in tackles with 98 and had 10.5 tackles for a loss.
In 2016, Alabama A&M ranked eighth in scoring defense (allowed 38.7 points per game), ninth in total defense (460.7 yards allowed per game), 10th in rushing defense (238.8 yards allowed per game) and fourth in passing defense (221.9 yards allowed per game).
The Bulldogs had five players named to the All-SWAC Preseason Team including four First Team selections.  It’s the most in Spady’s tenure.  Bentley (RB), Davis (LB), Tere Calloway (DB), Nick Carden (K) were named as First Teamers while OL Austin Simmons made the Second Team.
Head coach: James Spady (Record at A&M 11-23 (fourth year); Overall 11-23 (fourth year).
2016 record and finish: 4-7 overall, 4-5 SWAC (second in the SWAC East Division)
Returning statistical leaders
Passing: Damion May (1-of-3, 12 yards, 0 TDs, 1 Int)
Rushing: Bentley (159 carries, 851 yards, 9 TDs)
Receiving: Ledarion Heath (22 receptions, 247 yards, 0 TDs)
Tackles: Davis (98)
Sacks: Yurik Bethune, Davis (two apiece)
Interceptions: Calloway (two)
Potential game breaker: R-So Marceles Clash.  The 6-1, 170-pound wide receiver from Altadena, Calif. showed promise this spring and has Bulldogs coaching staff excited for what he may be able to do to alleviate the loss of departing WR Tevin McKenzie, who ranked ninth in the SWAC in receptions (50 catches), fifth in receptions per game (4.5) and totaled 529 receiving yards.
2017 schedule
Sat, Sept. 2 @ UAB 2:30 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 9 @ Vanderbilt 3 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 16 @ South Alabama 6 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 23 Texas Southern 6 p.m. (Louis Crews Classic)
Sat, Sept. 30 Arkansas Pine-Bluff 2 p.m. (Homecoming)
Sat, Oct. 7 @ Southern 6 p.m.
Sat, Oct. 14 Miss. Valley State 2 p.m.
Sat, Oct. 28 Alabama State TBA (Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Ala.)
Sat, Nov. 4 @ Alcorn State 1 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 11 Jackson State 1 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 18 Kentucky State 1 p.m.

SWAC Football team preview schedule

Monday, August 14: Alabama A&M

Tuesday, August 15: Texas Southern

Wednesday, August 16: Alabama State

Thursday, August 17: Southern

Friday, August 18: Alcorn State

Monday, August 21: Prairie View A&M

Tuesday, August 22: Jackson State

Wednesday, August 23: Grambling State

Thursday, August 24: Mississippi Valley State

Friday, August 25: Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Big 3: Playoff Picture Finalized

TRILOGY REMAINS UNDEFEATED AS REGULAR SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE IN FRONT OF STAR-STUDDED CROWD AT STAPLES CENTER; 3 HEADED MONSTERS, POWER & GHOST BALLERS ALSO ADVANCE TO THE PLAYOFFS

-- Ghost Ballers Pull Off Upset With Fate In Their Own Hands --

-- BIG3 Moves To Seattle For Playoffs August 20, Las Vegas For Championship August 26 --

LOS ANGELES, CA - August 14, 2017 -- In front of an energetic crowd of more than 10,000 fans, including music, sports and entertainment icons, BIG3 took the STAPLES Center by storm on Sunday, pulling out all of the stops to close out the professional 3-on-3 league’s regular season. Fans have become accustomed to seeing hard-nosed, competitive basketball. In LA, they also witnessed their favorite stars flocking to see the games in person.

Seated courtside alongside BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube were Oscar De La Hoya, Dwyane Wade, Chad Ochocinco Johnson, LL Cool J, Jeanie Buss, Jesse Williams, Snoop Dogg, Chris Brown, Lamar Odom, T-Pain, Kenny Smith, Martin Lawrence, Jeffrey Osborne, Raphael Saadiq, Pooch Hall, Gilbert Arenas, Sam Cassell, LaVar Ball, LaMelo Ball and others.

With a host of playoff scenarios set to be sorted out and Trilogy’s perfect season on the line, fans witnessed another aggressive, action-packed day of basketball resulting in Trilogy, 3 Headed Monsters, Power, and Ghost Ballers moving on to the playoffs to compete for the first-ever BIG3 championship title.

Rashard Lewis ended the regular season as the scoring leader in total points (170) and points per game (21.3). Reggie Evans led the league in total rebounds (87) and rebounds per game (12.4). Mike Bibby topped the league in total assists (30), assists per game (3.8), and 4-point field goals (6).

In the most thrilling game of the day, Trilogy’s unblemished record was put on the line in a matchup against the Killer 3’s. Having already been eliminated from championship contention, Chauncey Billups and Stephen Jackson’s Killer 3’s unleashed Player Coach Charles Oakley for his season debut as a player in a final effort to tarnish Trilogy’s undefeated record. However, Trilogy’s Rashad McCants and Al Harrington proved to be unstoppable yet again, with McCants scoring 17 points and Harrington adding 16, leading their team to a 50-41 win to close out the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record.

Each of the three other games featured playoff ramifications, as Tri-State beat Power to keep their championship dreams alive. Even with a loss, Power still secured the 3-seed via 3’s Company loss and subsequent elimination at the hands of Ball Hogs which came into the week with the worst record in the league only to ruin 3’s Company’s post-season hopes.

In a major upset with their fate in their own hands, Ghost Ballers (previously 3-4) wrapped up the day of reckoning by securing the 4-seed after beating 3 Headed Monsters (previously 6-1).

In addition to four competitive games, fans were treated to a halftime performance by West Coast legend Snoop Dogg, rapping his classic songs, “Next Episode” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”

While fans attended in order to see their favorite professional basketball players compete, anticipation was at an all-time high for the much talked about 4-point challenge between Ice Cube and Big Baller Brand’s LaVar Ball. Following a week of back and forth social media conversation, Ice Cube beat Ball after draining more 4-point shots.

Official attendance was 10,288.

BIG3 Week 8 games will air on Fox Sports 1 Monday Night Basketball at 5pm PST / 8pm EST.

Next week, BIG3 moves to Seattle, WA for the playoffs at KeyArena on Sunday, August 20th. All eight teams will compete -- the top four teams for the championship title, the bottom four teams for consolation ranking.

GAME 1

Power (4-4) 42 vs. Tri-State (3-5) 51

Video Highlights | Final Game Stats

Coming into Week 8, the 2-5 Tri-State’s playoff berth hopes remained alive, if slim, as a win over Power plus a loss by 3’s Company and a loss by Ghost Ballers would have secured the 4-seed. Meanwhile, Power entered the game having already clinched a playoff berth, fighting for a 3-seed with a win over Tri-State or a loss by 3's Company.

Tri-State opened the game strong, but quickly fell behind to Power, at one point trailing 18-10. Down most of the first half, Mike James led the team on a dominant run that resulted in a 25-20 lead at halftime, and a lead that Tri-State would never relinquish throughout the 2nd half. Trailing 49-42, Power’s Cuttino Mobley faced tight defense and threw up an air ball that was rebounded by Tri-State’s Bonzi Wells who swiftly put in the game winning lay up.

Led by James’ 17 points on 3 of 7 shooting from behind the 3 point arc, Dominic McGuire’s 10 points and 5 rebounds, and Wells’ 8 points and 8 boards, Tri-State kept their playoff hopes alive with a 51-42 win over Power (still needing a loss by 3’s Company and a loss by Ghost Ballers later in the day). DeShawn Stevenson contributed a solid performance for Power, knocking down what would prove to be the day’s league-leading 22 points on 50% (6 of 12) shooting from the 3-point line.

Power (4-4) moves on to the playoffs as the 3-seed.

GAME 2

Killer 3’s (2-6) 41 vs. Trilogy (8-0) 50

Video Highlights | Final Game Stats

The second game of the day featured undefeated Trilogy facing off against Chauncey Billups and Stephen Jackson’s Killer 3’s in a bid to keep its perfect season intact. Trilogy didn’t disappoint, opening on a 7-0 run that eventually resulted in an 18-point lead at the half. As lopsided as the first half was, Killer 3’s made things interesting battling back with a 13-0 run to start the second half, pulling to within 3 points. With all that energy expended, Killer 3’s proved to be overmatched as Trilogy regained its footing and rolled back to a 14 point lead.

Perhaps with frustration setting in, Killer 3’s committed a total of 14 fouls led by Charles Oakley who made his BIG3 player debut adding four fouls in 8 minutes of play, including a flagrant foul after leveling Al Harrington while trying to break free after an inbound play. Subsequently leading 47-41, Trilogy’s Dion Glover drained a 3-point shot for the win.

Trilogy rolled to victory and secured an undefeated regular season record (8-0) in a true team effort. Rashad McCants led with 17 points and 5 rebounds, followed by Al Harrington’s 16 points and 6 rebounds and James White’s 10 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds. Killer 3’s Brian Cook led his team in scoring with 17 while Stephen Jackson contributed 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Trilogy moves on to the playoffs as the 1-seed.

GAME 3

Ball Hogs (2-6) 50 vs. 3’s Company (3-5) 47

Video Highlights | Final Game Stats

Game 3 featured 3’s Company coached by Allen Iverson fighting for a chance at a playoff berth against a Ball Hogs team with only one win on the season. 3’s Company entered Week 8 in a must-win scenario while also needing to rely on a Ghost Ballers loss.

The game was competitive from start to finish with 7 lead changes. The first half ended as expected with 3’s Company up by 6, led in part by Al Thornton’s 4-point shot (the first of the day for any BIG3 player). However, during the 2nd half, Ball Hogs battled back, eventually taking the lead 38-37. After a series of lead changes and the game tied at 44, 3’s Company’s Andre Owens drained a 3 point shot. Down 47-44, Ball Hogs’ Xavier Silas capped off his 20 point, 5 rebound performance by sinking a clutch 4-point shot (only the 2nd of the day among all players) to put his team up 48-47. Following a diving rebound and several passes, Byars drove to the lane and dished the ball off to Josh Childress who laid it up for the win, capping his 16 point, 5 rebound day. Andre Owens contributed 19 points and 8 boards for 3’s Company, while Al Thornton added 11 points on 4 for 7 shooting.

3’s Company didn’t need to wait around for the result of the day’s 4th game, as they were eliminated from championship contention with their loss.

GAME 4

3 Headed Monsters (6-2) 33 vs. Ghost Ballers (4-4) 50

Video Highlights | Final Game Stats

3 Headed Monsters had already clinched the 2-seed, but Ghost Ballers entered the game needing to win in order to make the playoffs after Tri-State won earlier in the day. With the season on the line, Ghost Ballers maintained a small advantage throughout the entire first half, pushing to a 25-20 lead. During halftime, Ice Cube and LaVar Ball competed head to head in the much talked about and highly anticipated 4-point challenge. Ice Cube prevailed after thrilling the crowd by draining the most 4-point shots.

The second half saw Ghost Ballers take charge and begin to pull away, sparked by Mike Bibby’s 4-point shot early in the half. Leading 48-33, Bibby received a pass from Ricky Davis and swished a jumper just inside the 3 point line for the win. With their fate in their own hands, Ghost Ballers outscored 3 Headed Monsters 25-13 in the 2nd half on 9 of 11 (82%) shooting with a strong team effort (Ricky Davis 13 points, 4 assists; Mike Bibby 13 points, 4 assists; Ivan Johnson 12 points; Marcus Banks 10 points).

Ghost Ballers advances to the playoffs as the 4-seed.

Jerry Jones Hall of Fame Speech

Jerry Jones Pro Football Hall of Fame

Watch Jerry Jones candid Hall of Fame Speech

Cowboys Not First Choice For Jerry

Jerry Jones will take his place in the Pro Football Hall of  Fame in Canton, Ohio this weekend.
Photo credit: USA Today

When oil wildcatter Jerry Jones paid his way into the NFL in 1989 it wasn't his first attempt to own a pro football team.

The new Hall of Fame owner of the richest sports franchise in the world was not always "Mr. Dallas Cowboys". In 1966, after graduating from the University of Arkansas, Jones made a bid to buy the San Diego Chargers for $5.8 million. The team is now #21 on the Forbes NFL list with a valuation just over $2 billion with a "B".

Jones had promises from investors in Missouri to secure the deal with AFL team, but his dad Pat Jones told him not to do it. This was pre-NFL-AFL merger and teams were losing money like crazy to stay afloat. Once the merger went through, the Chargers sold for $10 million.

What if Jerry never listened to his dad's advice? 

The speculation was that he would have moved the Chargers to St. Louis although southern California was a premium market.

Cowboy fans should be grateful Jerry took someone's advice early on.

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MEAC ANNOUNCES MEN AND WOMEN CROSS COUNTRY ACADEMIC HONORS

MEAC ANNOUNCES MEN担 AND WOMEN担 CROSS COUNTRY ACADEMIC HONORS

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

Thu, October 27, 2016

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

NORFOLK, Va. — The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced today the 2016 Men’s and Women’s Cross Country All-Academic team, including 84 student-athletes who achieved academic success during the 2015-16 school year. The MEAC recognizes student-athletes with a 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average, including sophomores, juniors and seniors, as well as transfer student-athletes, who have been in residence at the institution for at least one year.
“I commend our men’s and women’s cross country student-athletes for maintaining a 3.0 or better grade point average,” said MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas. “I would also like to acknowledge the academic support staff, faculty, parents and coaches who have contributed to the academic success of these student-athletes.”
Listed below are the 2016 Men’s and Women’s Cross Country All-Academic honorees (by institution):

Bethune-Cookman (9)

Aisha Bowen

Deja Davis

Celina Forte

Alexus Harris

Paije Johnson

Nyajock Pan

Briana Pollock

Nia Ruth

Daniel Kipto

Delaware State (3)

Lauren Woods

Tiffany Woods

Seth Danjoint

Howard (18)

Joppa Banks

Hanah Billups

Aigner Bobbitt

Karen Bolouvi

Simone Counts

Ashley Hale

Jade Hardy

Jasmine Hardy

Mohammad Bah

Kenneth Chigbue

Malik Dennis

Landrie Hatcher

Enyioha Ike-Amaechi

Kahe Kaye

Basil Niccolls

Walter Peacock

Olujimi Scott

Dwight Thomas

Maryland Eastern Shore (7)

Derrick Cheruiyot

Stanley Meli

Khalil Rmidi Kinini

Lenneisha Gilbert

Rachel Halmon

Jennaya Hield

Dypna Umunake

Morgan State (3)

Rachel Bauer

Jada Boyd

Karen Escobedo

Norfolk State (13)

Tasia Baxter

Melisande Corlett

Brianna Hayes

Courtney Kearse

Te’Shaibrah Myles

Shameka Price-Cleare

Jessica Toliver

Devon Booker

Michael-Thomas Brown

Haileyesus Demsie

Thomas Fantaye

Da’Trail Hockaday

Joseph Wanene

North Carolina A&T State (4)

Steve Stowe

Imani Coleman

Miranda Green

Kennedy Thorne

North Carolina Central (17)

Gregory Coward

Victor Dunbar

Timothy Edelen

Malik Hooks

Deandre James

Joseph Osewe

Isaac Roberts

Phillip Robinson-Hayes

Justin Trotman

Jonathan Williams

Maysha Bryant

Natalyia Dunlap

Starbesha Satterwhite

Kiana Seabrook

Jaleesa Smoot

Markiara Staten

Bethany White

Savannah State (5)

Randolph Barrett

Donterious Copeland

Kenneth Nealy

Michael Smith

Elijah West

South Carolina State (5)

Michael Stackhouse

James Williams

Luiza Duarte

Marketa Marcanikova

Claudia Roca

HOWARD PICKED TO WIN MEAC MEN'S BASKETBALL TITLE

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

Thu, October 27, 2016

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

Howard senior James Daniel, IIIwas selected Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year, the conference announced today.Howard was predicted to win the regular season title.

The preseason poll and all-conference teams are selected by the conference’s head women’s basketball coaches and sports information directors.

Daniel, the 2016 MEAC Player of the Year, led the nation in scoring, averaging 27.1 points per game, and ranked first in the nation in free-throws made (280) for the Bison last season. A six-time MEAC Player of the Week, Daniel recorded nine 30-point games, including a career-high 39 points in the win against William & Mary. He was also named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches 2015-16 Division I All-District First Team. He currently ranks 10^th all-time in scoring amongst MEAC players and needs 377 points to surpass Delaware State’s Tom Davis (1987-91) as the all-time leading scorer. His 21.5 points per game career scoring average ranks second

Howard earned 13 first-place votes and 286 points to be named as favorites for the regular season title. The Bison were 6-10 in conference play and 12-20 overall last year. Howard opens its season on Nov. 11 in Ann Arbor, Mich. against the University of Michigan.

Under the guidance of head coach Kevin Nickelberry, the Bison enter the season with high expectations as it has been 30-plus years since the Bison entered as heavy favorites. During a stretch from 1975-87, the Bison captured three MEAC regular season championships and two MEAC Tournament titles. They also finished in third place or higher in 10 of those 11 seasons. The team’s last MEAC Regular Season and Tournament Championship both occurred in 1992.

In addition to the accolades, the team will also be featured throughout the season on ESPN’s The Undefeated beginning with a forum featuring NBA Hall-of-Famer Oscar Robertson and Howard’s James Daniel, III on Oct. 27 at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

South Carolina State was predicted to finish second with nine first-place votes and 292 points. The Bulldogs made it to the finals of last year’s MEAC Basketball Tournament before falling to Hampton. SCSU recorded a 19-15 overall record and a 12-4 mark in MEAC play.

Hampton, the 2015-16 MEAC Tournament and regular season champions, received two first-place votes and was predicted to finish third, while North Carolina Central was selected to finish fourth. Norfolk State received fifth place with Bethune-Cookman at sixth place. North Carolina A&T State (7^th), Maryland Eastern Shore (8^th), Morgan State (9^th), Coppin State (10^th), Savannah State (11^th), Delaware State (12^th) and Florida A&M (13^th) round out the 2016-17 preseason poll.

Joining Daniel on the preseason All-MEAC First Team is teammate Marcel Boyd, South Carolina State’s Eric Eaves, Bethune-Cookman’s Jordan Potts and North Carolina A&T State’s Sam Hunt.

The 2016-17 MEAC men’s basketball season tips off on Friday, Nov. 11 with 12 MEAC teams in non-conference action.

The 2017 MEAC Basketball Tournament is scheduled for March 6-11 at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va.

2016-17 MEAC Men’s Basketball Preseason Predicted Order of Finish

As voted on by the MEAC’s head men’s basketball coaches and sports information directors.

(First place votes in parenthesis)

                                        Team                                                  Points
                                        1. Howard (14)                              299
                                        2. South Carolina State (9)              292
                                        3. Hampton (2)                             250
                                        4. North Carolina Central                 234
                                        5. Norfolk State                             203
                                        6. Bethune-Cookman                      182
                                        7. North Carolina A&T State             141
                                        8. Maryland Eastern Shore              140
                                        9. Morgan State                             136
                                        10. Coppin State                            123
                                        11. Savannah State                        121
                                        12. Delaware State                        104
                                        13. Florida A&M                             50

2016-17 MEAC Men’s Basketball Preseason All-MEAC Teams

As voted on by the MEAC’s head men’s basketball coaches and sports information directors.

Preseason Player of the Year: James Daniel, III, Howard
First Team

Name	School	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
James Daniel, III	Howard	G/F	6-0	175	Sr.	Hampton, Va.
Eric Eaves	South Carolina State	G	6-3	195	Sr.	Columbia, S.C.
Jordan Potts	Bethune-Cookman	G	5-10	185	r-Sr.	Columbus, Ohio
Sam Hunt	North Carolina A&T	G	6-2	175	r-Jr.	Greensboro, N.C.
Marcel Boyd	Howard	G	6-10	230	Sr.	Accokeek, Md.

 Second Team

Name	School	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
Patrick Cole	North Carolina Central	G	6-5	210	r-Sr.	Newark, N.J
Edward Stephens	South Carolina State	G	6-2	185	Jr.	Columbia, S.C.
Phillip Carr	Morgan State	F	6-8	200	Jr.	Brooklyn, N.Y.
Devin Morgan	Delaware State	G	5-10	180	So.	Chester, Va.
Bakari Copeland	Maryland Eastern Shore	F	6-6	235	Sr.	Decatur, Ga.

Third Team

Name	School	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
Troyce Manassa	Savannah State	G	6-4	215	Sr.	Mobile, Ala.
Terry Harris, Jr.	Coppin State	F	6-8	205	Sr.	Baltimore, Md.
Jordan Butler	Norfolk State	F	6-6	240	Jr.	Hartford, Conn.
DeAndre Haywood	Delaware State	G	6-2	200	Sr.	Paterson, N.J.
Damon Collins	Howard	G/F	6-5	180	Sr.	Grand Prairie, Texas

Toyota SWAC Football Championship Events announced

The Southwestern Athletic Conference renewed its contract with NRG Stadium for three more years which means the 2016 SWAC Football Championship is set to return to Houston, Texas. The winner of the East and West Divisions will meet for Judgment Day Saturday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. CT. Last season, Alcorn State earned back-to-back championships after defeating Southern University in 2014 and Grambling State in 2015. There will be special events around the football championship weekend starting with its annual SWAC Hall of Fame reception Thursday, Dec. 1. On gameday, the annual SWAC Battle of the Bands, featuring performances from the respective division winners, culminates with Judgment Day at halftime.  Traci Steele and Big Tigger will serve as the official host.   Tickets range from $15 - $55 (plus applicable TM fees) and increase of $5 the day of game. The champion will earn the conference title and a chance to play in the annual Air Force Reserve Celebration BowlSaturday, Dec. 17 in Atlanta, Ga. About SWACFounded in 1920, the Southwestern Athletic Conference - made up of historically black colleges and universities - and its members are committed to the philosophy of maintaining intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the overall educational program. The conference believes in and subscribes to the fundamental principles of amateurism, institutional control, sound academic standards, financial aid, recruiting, and ethical conduct that govern intercollegiate athletics, and the enforcement of rules and regulations as adopted by the NCAA. Sponsoring 18 sports, the SWAC ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of alumni playing with professional sports teams- particularly in football. Thursday, December 1      · SWAC Hall of Fame Reception 6:00 p.m. (Invitation Only) * Friday, December 2      · SWAC Football Championship Press Conference at NRG Stadium 10 a.m. (Media Members Only) * Saturday, December 3     · 2016 SWAC College Expo at NRG Stadium 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.       · 2016 Halftime Battle of the Bands       · 2016 Toyota SWAC Football Championship at NRG Stadium 3:00 p.m.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE PREDICTED TO WIN MEAC TITLE

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

Thu, October 27, 2016

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

NORFOLK, Va. — Hampton senior Malia Tate-DeFreitas was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year, the conference announced today. North Carolina A&T State was picked to win the regular season title.
The preseason poll and all-conference teams are selected by the conference’s head women’s basketball coaches and sports information directors.
Tate-DeFreitas led the conference in scoring last season, averaging 21.4 points for the Lady Pirates. She ranked seventh nationally in field-goal attempts and 16^th in points per game. Tate-DeFreitas recorded five 30-point games and notched a triple-double of 13 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists against Bethune-Cookman last year. She was also named the 2016 MEAC Player of the Year and BoxToRow’s Player of the Year.
North Carolina A&T State tallied 13 first-place votes and 317 points to earn the top spot. Last season, the Aggies earned a share of the MEAC regular season title with a 12-4 mark and an 19-12 overall record. Also, N.C. A&T State won the MEAC Women’s Basketball Tournament championship with a win over Coppin State. The Aggies open the season on November 11 in Statesboro, Ga. against Georgia Southern.
Bethune-Cookman, the 2016 regular season co-champion, was picked to finish second with 292 points and five first-place votes. The Lady Wildcats recorded an 18-13 overall record and a 12-4 mark in MEAC play.
Hampton (297) received four first-place votes and was predicted to finish third, while Maryland Eastern Shore (216) garnered two first-place votes and Morgan State (201) rounded out the top five preseason predictions.
Florida A&M was chosen to finish sixth, followed by Coppin State  (7^th), Savannah State (8^th), Howard (9^th), South Carolina State (10^th), Delaware State (11^th), Norfolk State (12^th) and North Carolina Central (13^th).
Joining Tate-DeFreitas on the Preseason All-MEAC First Team is Bethune-Cookman’s Kendra Cooper and Kailyn Williams, Maryland Eastern Shore’s Moengaroa Subritzky and Delaware State’s NaJai Pollard.
The 2016-17 MEAC women’s basketball season tips off on Friday, Nov. 11 with 12 MEAC teams in action.
The 2017 MEAC Basketball Tournament is scheduled for March 6-11 at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va.

2016-17 MEAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Predicted Order of Finish

As voted on by the MEAC’s head women’s basketball coaches and sports information directors.

(First place votes in parenthesis)

Team	Points
1. North Carolina A&T State (13)	317
2. Bethune-Cookman (5)	305
3. Hampton (4)	297
4. Maryland Eastern Shore (2)	216
5. Morgan State	201
6. Florida A&M	174
7. Coppin State	171
8. Savannah State (2)	151
9. Howard	141
10. South Carolina State	131
11. Delaware State	124
12. Norfolk State	92
13. North Carolina Central	46

                 

2016-17 MEAC Women’s Basketball Preseason All-MEAC Teams

As voted on by the MEAC’s head women’s basketball coaches and sports information directors.

Preseason Player of the Year: Malia Tate-DeFreitas, Hampton

First Team

Name	Pos.	Cl.	School	Hometown
Malia Tate-DeFreitas	G	Sr.	Hampton	Harrisburg, Pa.
Kendra Cooper	G	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Spring, Texas
Moengaroa Subritzky	G/F	r-Jr.	Maryland Eastern Shore	Auckland, New Zealand
NaJai Pollard	F	So.	Delaware State	Richmond, Va.
Kailyn Williams	C	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	New Orleans, La.

Second Team

Name	Pos.	Cl.	School	Hometown
Dana Brown	G	r-Sr.	North Carolina A&T State	Willow Springs, N.C.
Braennan Farrar	G	Jr.	Morgan State	St. Louis, Mo.
Kenyata Hendrix	G/F	Sr.	Savannah State	Carrollton, Ga.
Kayla Roberts	F	Jr.	Norfolk State	Miami, Fla.
Kaylah Lupoe	C	Jr.	Hampton	Phoenix, Ariz.

Third Team

Name	Pos.	Cl.	School	Hometown
Keena Samuels	G	Sr.	Coppin State	Upper Marlboro, Md.
K’Lynn Willis	G	So.	Hampton	Detroit, Mich.
Sydni Johnson	G/F	Sr.	Howard	Homewood, Ill.
Taylor Houston	F	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Raleigh, N.C.
Tiyonda Davis	C	Sr.	Savannah State	Athens, Ga.