Bulldogs Back Home to Start Two-Game Homestand

December 7, 2023

NASHVILLE – The Fisk University Bulldogs have been on a tough stretch, losing three in a row. Things don't get any easier tonight as they take on the Wiley University Wildcats in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference play from Nashville.

The Bulldogs (3-7, 0-2 GCAC) are looking for their first conference victory of the season, while the Wildcats (6-4, 2-0 GCAC) want to continue their undefeated record in GCAC games. Fisk has been without leading scorer Blake Goodman (20.6 ppg) the past two games with a lower-body injury. Post Soloman Mustafa-Reid has missed eight games also due to a lower-body injury.

"We have to get back to winning, but this will be another tough one," said Head Coach Kenny Anderson. "Injuries are not an excuse. We deploy the next-man-up theory. Wiley is well-coached and will present a challenge for us. We play well, and we have a chance."

The pre-conference schedule for the Fisk University Bulldogs has been one the toughest in the country. Two exhibition games against NCAA DI programs Tennessee State University and Austin Peay State University, coupled with games against NCAA DII, the University Alabama Huntsville, Edward Waters University, and Clark Atlanta University, helped to build confidence.

The WMG "Pick 2 Click" for the game is Mitchel Seay.

Game 11: Wiley University (6-4, 2-0 GCAC) at Fisk University (3-7. 0-2 GCAC)

Date/Time: Thursday, December 7 | 7:00 p.m. (CST)
Watch: Fisk YouTube

Location: Henderson A. Johnson Arena

Quick Hits

New Athletic Director with Old Roots Bringing New Direction

On October 6. 2023, Valencia Jordan was announced as the new Director of Athletics. Jordan returned to Fisk after playing basketball in 1981-82. She gained experience as the Assistant Athletic Director at Tennessee State University. She also coached volleyball and women's basketball there.

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. Already this season, the three have shown up huge. Lockett, a former Mr. Basketball candidate in Tennessee, is filling up the scoresheet with "Scottie Pippen" type numbers. Against Wilberforce, he had a triple-double of 18 points, 12 boards, and ten helpers. Thompson scored 22 points against Wilberforce, including the game-winning shot, and Goodman had 36 points against Faulkner.

The Trees Are Growing Around Good Trouble U

Anderson jumped into the transfer portal to get a much bigger lineup. Two transfer players will have to sit out until they are qualified. They are Brazilian import Hamilton Wallace is the tallest recruit for Anderson at 7'1, Tyree Martin is 6'9, and freshman Solomon Mustafa-Reid is 6'8. He played in his first game this season against Wilberforce.

"We now look like a college team," said Anderson. "These guys will help us in the paint on both ends."

NEXT UP:

The Bulldogs will finish their homestand with a game against Philander Smith on Saturday before heading to Alabama to play Miles College on Sunday.

GCAC CONF OVERALL

WILEY (TX) 2-0 6-4

TALLADEGA (AL) 1-0 8-1

RUST (MS) 1-0 3-3

TOUGALOO (MS) 2-1 8-3

DILLARD (LA) 1-1 5-4

PHILANDER SMITH (AR) 1-1 4-5

VIRGIN ISLANDS 0-0 2-2

OAKWOOD (AL) 0-1 0-10