The NCAA’s NET ratings have made it difficult for HBCUs to advance past the first round of the NCAA tournament, but coaches such as Kevin Blakeney and Tim Eatman are pushing for more teams to be selected.
Sports
Local and national sports reporting and commentary by the state’s leading African American sportswriters, including award-winning columnists Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, with a special emphasis on the local prep scene and disparities in sports administration and media coverage.
Posted inCoaching while Black
First-year coaches on a learning curve
Stephanie Cooper and Rachel Naughton, two experienced coaches, have taken on the challenge of turning around the University of the Virgin Islands and Wilberforce University women’s basketball programs, respectively, despite the obstacles they face.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Hopkins, Benilde-St. Margaret’s capture state titles
This week’s Fab Five photos help congratulate the Class 4A girls basketball champion Hopkins Royal and Class 3A title holder Benilde-St. Margaret’s Knights.
Posted inSports
Hope Credit Union ‘bullish on young Black people’
Hope Credit Union, the nation’s largest Black and woman-owned financial institution, has partnered with the HBCU Athletic Conference to sponsor their basketball tournament and promote financial literacy among Black students.
Posted inSports
Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier overcame setbacks. Now the league is attracting big-name investors
Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 women’s basketball league founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, has gained traction and attracted major investors such as Stephen Curry, Michael Phelps, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Coco Gauff, with a $35 million Series A round and major sponsorship deals.
Posted inAnother View
Second Stillman-hosted all-Black tournament gets rave reviews
The 2025 Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Basketball Championships were a successful event, bringing recognition to Stillman College and providing a high-quality experience for all involved, including the Visit Tuscaloosa team and the UVI men’s and women’s basketball teams.
Posted inCoaching while Black
Black coaches shine in HBCU Athletic Conference, a true showcase of excellence
Fisk University’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Victoria Crawford and Stillman College Assistant Coaches KaTia May and Montego Hoskins were honored with awards at the HBCUAC Post-Season Tournament for their leadership and excellence.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Saturday, March 8 — quite the day in boys basketball
12:00 at St. Paul Harding High School
Ai’Jhon Douglas led the way with 18 points, Julius Terrell had 17, Salman Hussein added 16 and Tobis Williams added 12, leading Harding to a 75-55 win over Two Rivers in Class 3A Section 3 semifinals.
Posted inSports
Norfolk State looks like shoo-ins to the MEAC finals
The MEAC’s eight women’s and eight men’s teams will compete in the conference tournament starting March 12, with the winners of the tournament receiving automatic NCAA bids, and players to watch include Kierra Wheeler, Joshua Strong, Blake Harper, and Peyton Starks.
Posted inSports
Honoring a Forgotten Legacy: The Launch of the Negro League Football Website
The official Negro League Football website has launched to honor the trailblazing Black football players and teams who defied racial barriers during a time when the sport was segregated, with key figures such as Charles Follis, Frederick Douglass “Fritz” Pollard, and Duke Slater being celebrated.
Posted inAnother View
What’s drawn Black Minnesota athletes to Alabama?
Three native Black Minnesotans participated in the 2025 HBCUAC Hope Credit Union Basketball Championships at Stillman College, sharing their stories of how they ended up at their respective HBCUs.
Posted inOdds and Ends
Gopher wrestler establishes top game, bottom game
Quincy Hulverson, a redshirt sophomore wrestler from Tea, S.D., has adjusted well to college wrestling, and Anthonett Nabwe, a redshirt sophomore thrower, has set a new weight mark at the Snowshoe Open at the U of M Fieldhouse.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Hopkins defeats Minnetonka
With the sectional basketball playoffs in girls and boys competition underway, this week’s Fab Five spread features photos from Hopkins’ 84-65 boys victory over Minnetonka.
Posted inTimberwolves/NBA
After Ejection in L.A., Wolves’ Anthony Edwards Urged to Control Emotions
Anthony Edwards was ejected from the Minnesota Timberwolves’ game against the Los Angeles Lakers after picking up two technical fouls, leading to a one-game suspension due to reaching the NBA’s technical foul threshold.
Posted inSports
Administrator athlete enjoys best of both worlds at St. Thomas
Amy Olson-Cooper, a former multi-sport athlete and lupus survivor, has made history in athletic administration, receiving the 2025 Wilma Rudolph Courage Award for her efforts in ensuring opportunities for girls and women in sports, and is now the only Black female in senior athletic administration at St. Thomas University.
Posted inSports
Possible City Center Location Suggested for New Timberwolves/Lynx Arena
Minneapolis City Center is being considered as a potential site for a new arena for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, offering strategic location and potential financial and urban revitalization benefits, but also poses notable challenges.
Posted inAnother View
Sistas shine at LA women’s gymnastics meet
The first day of Black History Month 2025 was marked by a Big Ten women’s gymnastics meet in Los Angeles, where both UCLA and Michigan State had their share of Black gymnasts, with UCLA’s Madisyn Anyimi and Jordan Chiles both posting perfect 10 scores in their floor exercises.
Posted inOdds and Ends
Everything is go, go, go in this Gopher’s final season
Minnesota graduate student Alexsia Rose, who wears the number 0, has proven to be a valuable asset to the team, averaging 15 minutes per game and logging a season-high 10 points against Nebraska in December.
Posted inSports
HBCUAC Tournament: Highlights from Days 2 and 3
The HBCUAC tournament saw Wiley’s 95-72 win over UVI, while Philander Smith edged Fisk 43-40, with both teams advancing to the semifinals on Saturday.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Glover’s timely three-pointer leads North to Twin City title
Minneapolis North won their first Twin City girls basketball championship in 20 years with a three-pointer from Shanya Glover with three seconds left in a 63-60 victory over St. Paul Como Park.