Category: Hbcu basketball

Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Week 12 Women’s Major Division Top 5 Rankings

Brandon King

Week 12 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Women’s Major Division Top 5 rankings featured one new addition, with minimal movement among the remaining four programs. As postseason play wraps up across multiple tournaments, each team’s final impression played a role in shaping this week’s poll. 5. Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (20–15, 11–3) The Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks enter the rankings at No. 5 after being unranked a week ago. UMES caps off a historic season despite a 61–42 loss to Youngstown State Penguins in the second round…

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Winston-Salem State extends Women’s Basketball coach Tierra Terry

Staff

Courtesy of Winston-Salem State Athletics Winston-Salem State University has announced a two-year contract extension for head women’s basketball coach Tierra Terry following a historic 2025-26 season that elevated the program’s profile and set a new standard for success. In her first season leading her alma mater, Terry guided the Lady Rams to a 28-4 record, a CIAA Tournament championship and the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Division II Sweet 16. The team finished the season ranked No. 13 nationally and third in the Atlantic Region. Her efforts earned her CIAA Coach…

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Todd Triplett in as Albany State head women’s basketball coach

Staff

Image via Albany State Basketball Courtesy of Albany State Athletics Following a national search, Albany State University has named Todd Triplett head women’s basketball coach, with his appointment effective April 1, 2026.Serving as interim head coach during a time of transition, Triplett made an immediate and measurable impact. In his first season, he doubled the team’s win total from the previous year and led the Golden Rams to their first winning season since 2017–18. Guiding a roster that included six freshmen, Triplett established accountability and a defensive identity that translated into success…

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Tennessee State Is Back — But Now Comes the Hard Part

Brandon King

Tennessee State Tigers men’s basketball is back. Conference champions. NCAA Tournament team. A program resurrected after decades in the wilderness. For years, Tennessee State basketball lived on the margins—far removed from the national conversation since the 1994–95 season. That changed this year. Not just because the Tigers won, but because they mattered again. Picked to finish fourth in the preseason OVC poll, Tennessee State exceeded every expectation. The Tigers captured both the regular season and conference tournament championships, finishing 23–9 overall and 15–5 in league play—a program high for conference…

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Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Week 12 Women’s Major Division Top 5

Brandon King

The Week 12 edition of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Women’s Major Division Top 5 mirrors the previous poll, as no teams entered or exited the rankings. Stability defines this week’s list, with each program maintaining its position heading into postseason play. No. 5 — Edward Waters Lady Tigers (23-6, 21-3 SIAC) Edward Waters holds firm at No. 5 after a historic campaign. The Lady Tigers wrapped up the regular season at 23-4 overall and 21-3 in SIAC play—both program benchmarks since transitioning to the NCAA level. Their…

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What’s Next for Tennessee State After Its March Madness Return?

Brandon King

Tennessee State’s season ended with a tough loss, but the bigger picture tells a far more important story: the Tigers are back in the business of winning basketball. Now comes the hard part — staying there. The gap between Tennessee State and a program like Iowa State was clear. Size, depth, and physicality all tilted heavily in favor of the Cyclones, underscoring just how much work remains for the Tigers to become not just a tournament team, but a competitive one. Addressing the Frontcourt If Tennessee State is serious about…

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Nolan Smith Named BOXTOROW HBCU Coach of the Year

Brandon King

In a season defined by dominance and historic milestones, Nolan Smith has been named the BOXTOROW HBCU Coach of the Year after a remarkable debut campaign at Tennessee State Tigers men’s basketball. Taking over the program for the first time, Smith orchestrated one of the most impressive turnarounds in recent HBCU basketball history. He led the Tigers to both the Ohio Valley Conference regular season and tournament championships — a feat the program had not accomplished since 1994. Tennessee State finished 15-5 in conference play, marking the highest OVC win…

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Tennessee State’s Historic Run Ends in Blowout Loss to Iowa State

Brandon King

Tennessee State’s long-awaited return to the NCAA Tournament proved to be a harsh reality check. Back in the Big Dance for the first time in 32 years, the Tigers were overwhelmed by Iowa State in a 108-74 loss that brought their historic season to a close. From the outset, the Cyclones imposed their will with size, strength, and relentless pressure on both ends of the floor. Iowa State dominated the glass 43-29 and stifled Tennessee State from beyond the arc, holding the Tigers to just 23.8% (5-of-21) from three-point range.…

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Prairie View, Southern Crash the Party as Tennessee State Holds No. 1 in Week 11 HBCU Top 5

Brandon King

March basketball brought chaos—and opportunity—to the HBCU landscape. Conference tournament play reshaped Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Men’s Major Division Top 5 in Week 11, as Prairie View A&M and Southern surged into the rankings behind deep SWAC Tournament runs. While new contenders emerged, the top of the mountain remained unchanged, with Tennessee State continuing its reign as the nation’s top HBCU program heading into the NCAA Tournament. 5. Southern Jaguars (17–17, 11–7) The Jaguars re-enter the rankings after being unranked a week ago, thanks to a strong…

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Howard Rises to No. 1 as Shakeups Define Week 11 HBCU Women’s Major Division Rankings

Brandon King

Movement was the name of the game in Week 11 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Women’s Major Division Top 5, as a new team entered the rankings and nearly every returning program shifted positions from the previous week. 5. Alabama State Hornets (17-15, 12-6) The Hornets are the only team in the Top 5 that did not change position this week. Alabama State made an impressive run through the SWAC Tournament, advancing to the championship game before falling to defending champion Southern, 73-56. 4. Southern Jaguars (19-13,…

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