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.
SWAC
Posted inOdds and Ends
This ‘Diva’ can coach
Alabama A and M is the only HBCU on the Gopher women’s basketball schedule this season, and they are bringing a proven winner to The Barn. Head Coach Dawn E. Thornton, a Jackson State alum and accomplished recruiter, led the Bulldogs to a 21 and 11 record and a WNIT berth in her first season. Picked second in the SWAC, Alabama A and M features preseason SWAC Player of the Year Kalia Walker and a core of double digit scorers, giving local fans a rare chance to see a strong HBCU program and a Black woman head coach on the Williams Arena sidelines.
Posted inAnother View
No respect for HBCUs among local media
Minnesota will host two HBCU opponents this month, but local mainstream media are unlikely to give the games meaningful coverage. HBCU advocates say this pattern fits decades of inequitable sports reporting, making Black owned media outlets like the MSR critical for visibility, respect, and fair representation.
Posted inSports
Cleaning up notebook
A new study shows Timberwolves ticket prices are among the highest in the NBA. This week’s sports roundup also covers brain injury awareness in athletics, congressional delays on the SCORE Act, and Netflix hiring its first full-time sports anchor.
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 […]
Posted inSports
Cam’Ron Ransom earns SWAC Offensive Player of the Week honors
Cam’Ron Ransom of Bethune-Cookman was named SWAC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 382 yards and three touchdowns.
Posted inSports
Black College Sports Weekly: Quarterback competition, MEAC and SWAC season openers
Howard’s preseason training camp saw a three-way quarterback competition, with redshirt sophomore Ja’Shawn Scroggins eventually winning the job.
Posted inSports
Black College Sports Weekly: MEAC and SWAC begin 2024 football season
The MEAC and SWAC conferences are set to begin their 2024 football season this week.
Posted inSports
Black College Sports Weekly: Norfolk State and Delaware State open 2024 football season
Norfolk State and Delaware State are set to open their 2024 football seasons on Saturday, with Norfolk State playing FAMU in the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge and Delaware State playing Hawaii in Honolulu.
Posted inSports
Student-athletes’ civil rights tour leads to HBCU/Power Five pact
The first-of-its-kind pact between the Power Five and HBCU leagues was announced last September.
Posted inGophers/College, Sports
Player talent strong in SWAC league
Football is king at most HBCUs, but college hoops is a very close second in all-Black conferences. As a result, October for basketball coaches and players is a time brimming with optimism.
Posted inSports
SWAC commish reflects on Big Ten’s expansion
‘The strength of our league and the growth of our league has really put us in a unique and unprecedented position.’
Posted inSports
DeLaSalle volleyball prep is A&M-bound
Paris Smith as a youngster literally shopped around before she found volleyball. Now the local high school senior will play the sport at Alabama A&M later this year. Smith, who will graduate this year from Minneapolis DeLaSalle, was one of 27 Minnesota prep athletes who signed a letter of intent to play college volleyball, but […]