Category: SWAC

The John A. Merritt Classic moved to FirstBank Stadium

Staff

Courtesy of Courtesy of Tennessee State Athletics NASHVILLE — Tennessee State and Jackson State will renew one of HBCU football’s most storied rivalries at Vanderbilt University’s FirstBank Stadium when the teams meet in the 2026 John A. Merritt Classic, presented by the Tennessee Titans and ONE Community, on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m. Tennessee State 2026 single-game tickets, including the John A. Merritt Classic, will go on sale Monday, June 15, at 9 a.m. CT. The game will be played at FirstBank Stadium due to NFL scheduling, which has the Tennessee Titans…

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Former Alabama State Players Ruled Permanently Ineligible in Gambling Scandal

Brandon King

The NCAA has permanently ruled four former Alabama State players ineligible after determining they accepted money from gamblers to influence the outcome of a game during the 2024-25 season. Among those sanctioned is Amarr Knox, the hero of Alabama State’s historic first NCAA Tournament victory, along with teammates Shawn Fulcher, Corey Hines, and Tony Madlock. According to the NCAA, the four players accepted a combined $2,000 from gamblers in an effort to manipulate the outcome of the Hornets’ December 5, 2024 matchup against Southern Miss. The NCAA’s investigation concluded that…

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Former Alabama A&M Receiver Franck Pierre Commits To Alabama State

Brandon King

Alabama State has added another experienced playmaker to its receiving corps, as former Alabama A&M wide receiver Franck Pierre announced his commitment to the Hornets via social media. Pierre arrives in Montgomery after a productive season with the Bulldogs, where he recorded 33 receptions for 548 yards and five touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field and create explosive plays gives Alabama State another weapon as the program looks to build on its recent success and compete for a SWAC championship in 2026. The move is particularly noteworthy because it…

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Week 11 of Dr Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Final Major Division Top 5 Poll Rankings

Brandon King

After 11 weeks of exciting action on HBCU diamonds that featured exciting matchups and actress of stand out players and performances, we have reached the final poll rankings for 2026 and a champion will be crowned. 5. UAPB Golden Lions (24–34, 15–12) — 64 pts After being unranked the previous week , the Lions of Arkansas Pine Bluff clawed their way into the final poll rankings at No.5. The Lions did what many did not see coming, and that was take down no.1 seed Bethune-Cookman, who had been the best…

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I’Xana Winters Commits To Mississippi Valley State, Giving Devilettes A Dynamic Backcourt Addition

Brandon King

The roster rebuild continues for the Mississippi Valley State Devilettes, and the latest addition could end up being one of the more impactful under-the-radar pickups in the SWAC. I’Xana Winters, a 5-foot-7 guard transferring from Itawamba Community College, has officially committed to Mississippi Valley State women’s basketball, bringing experience, toughness, and backcourt versatility to the Delta Devils program. Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Winters developed into a dependable contributor during her time at Itawamba CC, showcasing the ability to score, facilitate, and defend multiple guard positions. She appeared in 30…

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SneakerShopTalk College Hoops Wire: Logyn McNeil commits to Alabama A&M via transfer portal

Brandon King

Alabama A&M continues to strengthen its roster through the transfer portal, landing forward Logyn McNeil, a 6’3 frontcourt piece looking for a fresh opportunity in Huntsville. McNeil, who was ranked the No.18 forward in her class coming out of Rockwall-Health High (Rockwall, TX), enters the Bulldogs program after her time at Houston, where she provided depth in the frontcourt rotation. Now, she brings that same size and interior presence to an Alabama A&M squad steadily retooling its identity with experienced portal additions. McNeil brings size, rebouding prowess and high motor…

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Alcorn State lands committment from 4-star prospect

Brandon King

According to livforhoops, Alcorn State has secured a committment from class of 2026 guard Josh Powell.  Powell, a 4-star rated prospect by ESPN , averaged 21.4points at Archbishop Molly High school as a sophomore. He then followed that up with a strong showing at the 2024     CHSAA June Showcase with per game numbers of 17 points , 8 rebounds and 3 assists.  Powell further raised his profile on the national scene on the summer circuit. Playing for the NY Jayhawks , he had a standout performance against the Rens United, tallying…

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HBCU GO Unveils 2026 Televised Football Lineup Featuring 13 National Broadcast Games

Brandon King

HBCU Gp announced their televised slated of football games for the 2026 season. The 13-game lineup, running from August 29 through November 21, continues HBCU GO’s mission of elevating HBCU athletics on a national stage through free streaming and broadcast distribution across multiple platforms. 🏈 Full 2026 HBCU GO TV Schedule Week 1 – Aug. 29North Carolina Central vs. Texas Southern Week 2 – Sept. 5Edward Waters vs. Jackson State Week 3 – Sept. 12Alcorn State vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Week 4 – Sept. 19Tennessee State vs. Florida A&M Week 5…

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SWAC Programs Hit with Postseason Bans Amid APR Violations

Brandon King

The Southwestern Athletic Conference is dealing with a major postseason shake-up after multiple programs were handed NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) penalties, placing their football seasons in limbo before a snap is even taken. Three SWAC programs—Alabama A&M Bulldogs, Florida A&M Rattlers, and Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils—have been flagged for Level Two APR sanctions, which include postseason bans and competitive restrictions for the upcoming cycle. 📉 The Schools Impacted All three programs fell below the NCAA’s academic performance threshold, triggering postseason ineligibility tied to multi-year academic outcomes. 📊 Reported…

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Alabama A&M Bulldogs men’s basketball APR penalties explained: postseason ban, AD Paul A. Bryant responds, program outlook

Brandon King

The Alabama A&M University men’s basketball program is facing NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) penalties, which will impact its postseason eligibility. The APR deficiencies that led to the penalty stem from multiple years of challenges in academic oversight and student-athlete retention under previous leadership. While those outcomes cannot be reversed, they have created a clear mandate for improvement within the program. What is APR? The NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate (APR) measures a program’s academic eligibility and retention. Teams earn points each term based on student-athletes staying in school and remaining…

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