Dawgs Look to Get Back to Their Winning Ways with Trip to the Virgin Islands
ST. THOMAS, USVI– A trip to the Virgin Islands in January would seem to be a relaxing way to start the new year. For the Fisk University Bulldogs, spas and massages will not be on the agenda as they will try to improve on a 1-4 December record when they take on the University of the Virgin Islands Buccaneers in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference play.
The Bulldogs (4-9, 1-3 GCAC) are coming into the contest looking to start a winning streak. The Bulldogs will once again look to the trio of Michael Ashley, Jayden Lockett, and Tyon Thompson to pick up the slack, as top scorer Blake Goodman is out for the season due to a lower-body injury.
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, Clark Atlanta University, and Miles College helped to build confidence.
"This for us is not a vacation because we need this win," said head Coach Kenny Anderson. "We have lost two conference games at home, so we need to make up for that. It won't be easy because they have a good team. We better be ready."
The WMG "Pick 2 Click" for the game is Jayden Lockett. Lockett has been steady all season and is the second-leading scorer on the team.
Game 14: Fisk University (4-9, 1-3 GCAC) at University of the Virgin Islands (2-6, 0-2 GCAC)
Date/Time: Thursday, January 4 | 6:00 p.m. (CST)
Watch: HBCU Plus
Live Stats: Fisk (TN) at Virgin Islands | PrimeTime | Thu, Jan. 4, 2024 8:00 PM AST (uviathletics.com)
Location: Elridge Sports Fitness Center, St. Thomas, USVI
Quick Hits
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 10 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 be back at home when they take on Oakwood University on January 9.