ACE Black basketball coaching honor roll 2026 recognizes Tierra Terry and Nolan Smith as Heads of the Class alongside Howard and Prairie View A&M head coaches.
College basketball
Posted inAnother View
SWAC hoops put on a show in Atlanta, seeding debate remains
The SWAC basketball tournament highlights the strength of HBCU programs and their path to the NCAA tournament.
Posted inSports
Charles Hallman’s March Madness Tour Spotlights HBCU Hoops and Black Talent
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder sports journalist Charles Hallman took his annual March Madness coverage on the road, traveling to Tuscaloosa, Alabama (HBCUAC) and Atlanta, Georgia (SWAC) to highlight HBCU basketball and the impact of Black athletes. In between, Hallman stopped at Bethel University in Arden Hills to watch the Millsaps College women’s basketball team, which featured the […]
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Millsaps College represents in NCAA tournament
Bethel University defeated Millsaps College 81–73 in the first round of the NCAA Division III women’s basketball tournament.
Posted inBlack College Sports Report
Black schools getting ‘plucked’ by NIL, portal
HBCU coaches say unregulated NIL rules and the transfer portal are allowing bigger schools to recruit directly from their rosters, threatening program stability.
Posted inAnother View
Como Park grad has no regrets
Ronnie Porter’s final game at Williams Arena marked a full-circle moment for the St. Paul native, who rose from walk-on to Wisconsin starter and leader.
Posted inAnother View
Former St. Thomas guard finds happiness with Huskers
Kendall Blue made the most of his homecoming, hitting a late three at Williams Arena as Nebraska remained unbeaten in a historic season.
Posted inCoaching while Black
New Saints head coach finds St. Scholastica a good fit
St. Scholastica men’s basketball coach Jared Drake reflects on faith, leadership, and being the MIAC’s only Black head coach.
Posted inAnother View
Northwestern associate coach ready to step up
Tangela Smith’s basketball career spans the WNBA, international play, and now a leadership role as associate head coach at Northwestern.
Posted inBlack College Sports Report
Who’s toughest, SWAC or MEAC?
As debate grows over whether the SWAC or MEAC is the toughest Black college basketball conference, coaches say depth, talent, and competition make every game a challenge.
Posted inSports
At Augsburg, more diversity makes great chemistry
MIAC basketball diversity is increasingly visible at Augsburg University, where inclusive rosters are reshaping the conference.
Posted inOdds and Ends
New MAC assistant coaches help teams rebuild
As Macalester men’s and women’s basketball rebuild this season, first-year assistant coaches Mamadou Diallo and Taylor Pilot share their coaching journeys, philosophies, and goals.
Posted inAnother View
Gopher assistant coach has head coaching in his sights
Brothers Dennis and Armon Gates faced each other as coaches when Missouri hosted Minnesota, marking a rare family moment shaped by shared roots, hard work, and basketball ambition.
Posted inBlack College Sports Report
Florida A&M’s new men’s head BB coach has storied past
Former Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward begins his first season as Florida A&M’s men’s basketball head coach, bringing leadership, experience, and family legacy back to FAMU.
Posted inOdds and Ends
Veteran TSU coach expects a fast game
Texas Southern returns to The Barn for the first time since 1995 as part of a demanding road heavy non conference schedule. Veteran coach Johnny Jones brings a fast and competitive squad that includes preseason all SWAC guard Zaire Hayes and leading scorers Troy Haywood and Drayce Roberts. Jones says the early tests at Gonzaga, Texas A and M, Vanderbilt and others serve as a measuring stick as the Tigers prepare for Minnesota.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Former metro areas star contributing
Fab Five photos This week’s Fab Five photos feature several former metro-area girls’ basketball players who have developed into some of the nation’s top collegiate athletes. University of Minnesota senior guard Amaya Battle (Hopkins), University of Wisconsin senior guard Ronnie Porter, Middle Tennessee State senior guard Alayna Contreras (Hopkins), University of South Carolina junior guard […]
Posted inSports
Former prep standouts come home to local fans
D.J. Jefferson played his first-ever game at The Barn, Williams Arena, last week. The redshirt junior is in his first season at Gardner-Webb, and it was his first time back in town after he attended Minnesota Preparatory Academy (MPA), a local prep school. “For me, I think it was just getting more exposure,” said the […]
Posted inOdds and Ends
Men’s basketball newbies
Minnesota has 13 new additions on its 2024-25 men’s basketball team. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson played for Niko Medved at Colorado State last season. “I set the tone early for the guys on the glass,” said the 6’8” junior forward from San Antonio, Texas. “I’m just trying to be a good two-way player on defense and offense.” […]
Posted inOdds and Ends
‘25-’26 U basketball players proud to be representing
There are approximately 100 African American and other student-athletes of color this school year at the University of Minnesota. In an occasional series throughout the 2025-26 academic and sports year, the MSR will highlight many of these players. This week: Gopher WBB redshirt junior Niamya Holloway; MBB newcomers soph Nehemiah Turner, junior Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, and […]
Posted inAnother View
Alcorn State takes on ‘monster challenge’
They play Minnesota Nov. 8 Alcorn State assembled a “monster” non-conference schedule for its 2025-26 season that, according to their coach, will better prepare them for conference play and a tournament run later in the campaign. “I am really excited about the opportunity to come up to Minneapolis to play the Minnesota Gophers,” first-year Head […]