Who Will Win the Men’s CIAA Tournament?

Posted by Charles Anderson III
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As the college basketball season winds down, one long honored and respected tradition among HBCUs launches, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Basketball tournament. This year in the CIAA there have been a number of teams that have risen to the top but only one can be crowned the champion. As always there may be an upset or two, but in that case the ball doesn’t lie.

Out of the remaining teams, Bowie State, Virginia State, Livingstone, and Winston Salem have the best chances to take home the crown. These team are at the top of their divisions and have been playing great basketball for most of the year.

Winston Salem State University (16-9, 9-7 CIAA) has been playing very well outscoring most of their opponents in averaging 81 points per game. The Rams are making one out of every three shots from beyond the ark and shooting almost 70% from the charity stripe. In conference play, WSSU has been able to hold their opponents to around their season average of 76 points, statistically showing a very consistent defense.

This team however is an anomaly being just over .500 in conference play, going 3-3 in their last six games, including ending the regular season a three point loss to conference and division foe Livingstone. During the 16 conference games played the Rams have been dominated on the boards with a minus six rebound margin. Conference rivals have caused WSSU even more trouble than non conference opponents, limiting the amount of shots, steals, and field goal percentage than the Rams have been able to have against non conference opponents. If Johnson C. Smith gets past a weak Shaw team, the Rams could easily be looking at an early exit from the tournament after splitting the season series.

Another team that was able to dominate their conference, is the Livingstone College (16-9, 10-6 CIAA) basketball team. The Blue Bears have been on an upswing as of late, winning their last two games including eight of their last 11. Livingstone has been a volume scoring team averaging 60 attempts per game, first in the conference, 81 points per game in conference play, also first in the conference, and almost 30 made field goals, which leads the conference as well. Most of the Blue Bears offense comes from inside the arc, as they are only averaging a paltry 14 attempts per game, which is towards the bottom of conference averages.

The biggest knock on the team is that the Blue Bears is that they have not been able to thrive against top competition. Livingstone has struggled against some of the stronger teams in the CIAA with losses against the other top teams in the southern division (WSSU, JCSU, and Fayetteville), in addition to registering losses against the top three teams from the Northern division(Bowie State, Virginia State, and Livingstone). While this is a statistically strong team if they cannot continue their recent winning ways against a tough string of opponents, starting with the Lincoln University team that edged them by five points earlier this season, the Bears will have trouble advancing.

Virginia State University (18-7, 12-4 CIAA) has been one of the top teams in both the Northern Conference as well as in the entire CIAA as a whole. In dominating the CIAA the Trojans have been able to stand behind a stifling defense, holding their opponents under 65 points a game while averaging almost seven points more than than their opponents. Their defense has been able to stifle opposing offenses in how they share the ball holding opposing teams to under 10 assist per game. The team’s defense has been able to keep them in games, as they have only lost one game by double digits.

The biggest knock on this VSU team is that when the turnover bug hits ,it hits hard. Throughout the season the Trojans have averaged a negative turnover margin which was very apparent in close losses against CIAA foes Shaw and Winston Salem. If Virginia State doesn’t beat Virginia State they have a very good opportunity to be crowned CIAA champions.

After a dominant season Bowie State University (21-7, 13-3 CIAA) enters the tournament as the number 1 seat in the Northern Division. The Bulldogs were able to thoroughly dominate their conference opponents through sheer will. With an average margin of victory of only three points throughout the season, Bowie State simply outlasted most of their opponents. Statistically the Bulldogs are an average team with an almost negatable plus margin of .2 in the turnover category and minus in the rebounding category.

Bowie State has been able to play to their opponents and win thus far throughout the season, as evident by their record, with only one disparaging loss, which was against a very underrated Shaw team. As long as Bowie State can do what they do best, find a way to win, there is no reason to believe they do not have a very good chance to be named the Men’s Basketball CIAA champions.

With all of this being stated, I believe that Virginia State University will find a way to pull through and win. The separation between the top teams in the CIAA is not that great, and the Trojans have been the most consistent of all the teams involved. After splitting the season series with the top team in Bowie State, by one point a piece, the Trojans will be focused and determined to prove they are the best team in the CIAA.

5 Ways to Survive at an HBCU

Posted by Robert Hoggard
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College can be pretty hard to adjust to, especially for freshmen and sophomores. Senior year you should already know the ends and outs and what to expect from your university academically and financially. Here are five things to do to survive at your HBCU:

Have an open mind

Take classes in departments you’ve never heard of or even better, history classes. History classes at HBCU’s are more informational and personal. This is your best chance to challenge your preconceptions and most importantly–learn about you and your HBCU.
Academic Advising

Make sure you stay on top with your academic advisor to ensure that you will graduate on time. Nobody wants to be left behind while your friends that you enrolled with during freshmen year graduate before you. If they do it is not the end of the world because things change and things happen for a reason but don’t let poor advice be the cause.
Attend classes

Make sure you attend all classes. I know some classes you feel like you shouldn’t even get up for but it is important to be punctual. This is a skill that every student should learn while in school. Also by attending classes you can build a relationship with your professor. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask in class or email your professor. You want your professor to know who you are. In this happens, when you have a problem they know that you are persistent, charismatic, and ambitious.

Watch your weight

Watch what you eat. Most universities serve awful food with the exception of certain restaurants either near or on campus. Take advantage of your universities gym and work out at least three times a week to keep unnecessary calories away. We as college students have a bad habit of laying around after lunch or class without any type of physical activity the entire semester.
Maintain a bank account

You never know when you will have unexpected fees that you may not have the funds to pay before a certain deadline. Possessing a universal bank account that your parents can easily add money to is a winner. Direct deposit is quicker and more reliable than mail especially those who are out of state.

Jesse Jackson: Adequately Fund SC State, Don’t Kill It

Posted by HBCU Editors
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Since 2008, HBCUs have lost more than $300 million in tuition revenue due to changes in federal loan and grant programs. South Carolina State is symptomatic of the impact that many HBCUs face as a result of federal and state cuts to higher education budgets. The direct cuts to higher education is made more devastating by the effects of the recession which resulted in record home foreclosures and job loss by a large number of African American families.

The fact that the recession grew out of a mortgage crisis made recovery for black families even more daunting. Blacks hold a disproportionate amount of family wealth in home equity. When home prices collapsed, the good suffered right along with the greedy. The one asset on which many were counting to finance their children’s education — the family home — suddenly was under water through no fault of their own.

Black families lost half their net worth between 2004 and 2010, rendering them less able to contribute to the cost of college, either as parents or alumni. Job losses, unemployment and foreclosures in black communities doubled the national averages, and sometimes more. The recovery so far has been as unsatisfying as an eggless omelet — rising stock prices, but few good jobs.

South Carolina lawmakers and budget writers use the Mission Resource Requirement (MRR) to calculate the state’s appropriation to its public colleges and universities. The MRR formula ranks colleges and universities based on the relative importance of mission, programs of study and other factors. The MRR has a built-in bias in favor of technology, engineering, science, law and other critical disciplines.

The state should also consider that SCSU’s mission is also critical. It is also faulty to assume (as the MRR does) that the mission of educating lawyers, scientists and researchers, as USC and Clemson do, is intrinsically more valuable than investing in the education of students who attend South Carolina State University where students are more likely from disadvantaged backgrounds and more likely first-in-their families to attend college. Educating students from sometimes meager backgrounds, who often are first-generation college enrollees and whose families are less capable of financial support, is also a critical endeavor if South Carolina is to catch up with the nation.

Read more here

 

NCCU Men’s Basketball Ranked Top 25 in NCAA

Posted by Robert Hoggard
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North Carolina Central has had a great season this year. They are 13-0 in MEAC play, have an overall record of 21-6, and according to the College Insider poll, they are rank No. 25–just only 5 points behind Toledo who is rank No. 24.

NCCU has many doubters. A dual showing of the AP Top 25 poll and USA Today Coaches poll appears on ESPN that makes no mention of NCCU Men’s Basketball in the Top 25, or receiving any votes to be in the Top 25.

Providence is ranked 25 with 8 loses in The AP Top 25. Michigan State is also ranked 25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll with 8 loses, respectively.

All eyes are on NCCU as they are set to take on Bethune-Cookman this Saturday at 4pm on their home court. NCCU has won 33 straight games on their home court. Only two teams have a longer home streak than NCCU. Arizona has 36 consecutive home game wins and Gonzaga has 40 home court wins.

Zendaya Mocked Because of Her Faux Locs, E!’s Giuliana Rancic Says Hair Smells of “Weed”

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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“There is a fine line between what is funny and disrespectful. Someone said something about my hair at the Oscars that left me in awe. Not because I was relishing in rave outfit reviews, but because I was hit with ignorant slurs and pure disrespect.” That’s what teen star Zendaya Coleman had to say after Giuliana Rancic’s lack of knowledge and awareness when commenting on her dreadlocks at the 2015 Oscars this week, reports US Weekly.

To me locs are a symbol of strength and beauty, almost like a lion’s mane. – Zendaya Coleman

Zendaya didn’t stop there:

[quote_box_center]To say that an 18-year-old young woman with locs must smell of patchouli oil or “weed” is not only a large stereotype but outrageously offensive. …There is already harsh criticism of African-American hair in society without the help of ignorant people who choose to judge others based on the curl of their hair. …To me locs are a symbol of strength and beauty, almost like a lion’s mane.[/quote_box_center]

Scandal‘s Kerry Washington, How to Get Away With Murder lead Davis, Solange, and others all took to social media to defend the innocent Zendaya, tweeting that they applaud her courage and inner beauty.

‘A Different World’ is Coming to Netflix! ‘A Different World’ is Coming to Netflix!

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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The hit TV show The Cosby Show broke all kinds of television rating records when it made its debut in 1984. And then along came its spin-off, A Different World, in 1987 that didn’t fail to capture the hearts and imaginations of 90s babies either.

‘Hip-Hop Prez’ Dr. Walter Kimbrough notes that from the debut of The Cosby Show until the end of A Different World in 1993, the country’s 107 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) attendance grew by 24%, and now starting March 15 modern students, like me, attending Black colleges can stream A Different World on Netlfix. (Say what??)

“There is no doubt that popular culture can influence growth.” – Walter Kimbrough

Yes lordt… Tell us what you think about this totally awesome groundbreaking news by commenting below.

ASU, Tuskegee Faculty Members Receive Award at White House

Posted by HBCU Editors
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Alabama State University’s Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts and Tuskegee University’s Director of the Integrative Biosciences PhD Program were two of eleven individuals that were honored at the White House on Tuesday.

Doctor Tommie Stewart and Doctor A. Deloris Alexander were at the White House in Washington D.C. to receive the Champion of Change Award. The award recognizes faculty and staff members at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Stewart, a native of Greenwood, MS, earned her bachelor’s degree from Jackson State University, her master’s degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara and her doctorate from Florida State University. Stewart was the first African American female to earn a doctorate from the FSU school of Theatre.

Alexander is a second-generation college graduate and is the second person in her family to earn a doctorate. Alexander also leads programs designed to increase both diversity and America’s competitiveness in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Read more here

Perry Sets Rebound Record as CSU Beats Salem International

Posted by HBCU Editors
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Central State’s Kourtni Perry set the single-game rebound conference record while leading Central State to a 75-56 win over Salem International on Saturday.

Perry, a junior who transferred from Wright State, finished with 25 rebounds and led all scorers with a personal best 30 points as the Lady Marauders improved to 9-16 with a 6-9 mark in G-MAC play. The win keeps CSU in the hunt for a birth in the conference tournament. Salem International remains winless on the season. The Lady Tigers are now 0-26.

CSU opened the game on a 10-0 run and remained in control for most of the afternoon. Perry grabbed 14 rebounds and was 6 of 9 from the floor in just 13 minutes of play as CSU led at half, 41-24.

Perry led the Marauders to a 15-2 run midway through the second half, picking up 11 of her 30 points during that run. The situation got worse for SIU as two of their players fouled out of the game with just over 5 minutes to go. With only 6 players available to start the game, SIU finished the contest shorthanded before falling to CSU for the fourteenth straight game.

“I am proud of my own performance. I just want to keep getting better,” Perry said. “As a team, we need to keep playing with confidence and hopefully we can earn a spot in the conference tournament.”

Read more at MarauderSports.com

Paul Quinn Reinvents Urban College Model With Help of Mark Cuban

Posted by HBCU Editors
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Paul Quinn College announced it will be adopting a new financial structure designed to reduce student debt while increasing real-world work experience. This “new urban college model” has several components, including lower tuition, use of free open source textbooks and Paul Quinn’s becoming the first urban work college in the country.

Paul Quinn wants students to graduate in four years with less than $10,000 in student loan debt by moving to tuition and fees of $14,275 for on-campus students and $9,775 for off-campus students. A work college requires students to spend part of their week working at the college, typically in a field related to the student’s studies.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is consulting with Paul Quinn on its move to open source textbooks and helping to create a course on entrepreneurship.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who has expressed concern over the rising costs of higher education, is consulting with Paul Quinn on its move to open source textbooks. He is also helping to create a course on entrepreneurship.

“I’m excited to be working with PQC and president [Michael] Sorrell to help remake the economics of the university experience,” Cuban said in a statement. “Our partnership will also include creating a unique approach to teaching entrepreneurship, with any and all materials available under an open source license for other institutions to use.”

Read more here

Bethune-Cookman President Offers Reward in Wake of Campus Shooting

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A day after three students were shot and injured on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University, President Edison Jackson addressed the student body Tuesday morning and offered a reward of $1,000 to anyone with information about the shooters.

“You know guns are not permitted on this campus,” he told students who live in campus housing and were required to attend the meeting inside the school’s Performing Arts Center. Jackson also offered a $500 reward to anyone who reports a fellow student with a gun, and promised to add more security cameras to the campus.

“This is not the place for it,” he said. “We have to keep this campus safe. We have to find a better way to handle conflict.”

The shooting is still under investigation, and no one has been charged, Daytona Beach police said. It’s believed that at least one of the shooters is also a student, said Beverly James, school director of public relations.

Reports indicate at least two people pulled into the campus at Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard about 6:48 p.m. Monday in a silver car. The occupants of the car got out and an altercation erupted. One or two of the occupants then pulled out a gun and fired six to seven shots.

Three students, who are believed to be innocent bystanders trying to flee the scene, were shot, police said. Their injuries were not life-threatening.

“It’s by the grace of God” that nobody was killed, Jackson told students Tuesday. “That’s a shout out for God.”

Read more at The Daytona News Journal

Senators Advance Plan to Replace SC State Trustees

Posted by HBCU Editors
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State senators have advanced a plan to replace trustees at South Carolina State University.

The move comes one day after the board placed President Thomas Elzey on paid administrative leave.

State senators say it is important they move quickly especially after they placed the Monday’s action.

“I am not sure that the public trusts the existing board to choose the next leader,” said Richland County Senator Darrell Jackson.

In a unanimous vote, the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee moved the bill forward. It would put a temporary board in place at the school for three years.

The bill has bipartisan support with Republicans and Democrats signed on as sponsors.

If passed, the temporary board would be made up of five people, about half of the number of members currently serving.

The Governor, the Senate President Pro Tempore, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, and the Chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee would each appoint a member to the board.

“It’ll enable a small group, a small board with new leadership to come in, make the necessary changes to ensure the school’s survival,” said Sen. Larry Grooms of Berkeley County.

Senators hope the plan will solve the issues of fading public trust at the school, bring financial stability and increase enrollment.

“Everything has to be on the table, everything has to be and that’s the only way that the problems at the school will be solved,” said Grooms.

Read more here

Hampton University Delay Classes Due to Weather

Posted by HBCU Editors
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Yesterday, Feb. 24th Hampton University canceled all evening classes due to inclement weather, and Hampton is taking extra precaution today. Offices will open at 11 am Wednesday, according to the university.

All Hampton staff and administrators will tread carefully on the road and will report to campus at 11 am. Hampton is also asking all students to report at 12 noon for classes.

For more info visit the university’s website

Atlanta University Center to Close Wednesday Due to Winter Weather

Posted by HBCU Editors
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The Atlanta University Center that consists of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) Morris Brown College, Spelman and Morehouse College, Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), and Clark Atlanta University will be closed today, Wednesday due to winter weather.

All of these colleges are in close proximity and usually make decisions like this together. WSBTV reports that the Atlanta area will see several inches of snow tomorrow.

[quote_box_center]Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns said 2 to 4 inches of snow are possible in north Georgia, with up to 6 inches a possibility in the highest parts of the north Georgia mountains.[/quote_box_center]

 Read more here

Howard University Law Students Well Prepared For Life After Graduation

Posted by Robert Hoggard
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According to recent research Howard University, a historically black college or university (HBCU) in Washington D.C., sends more than 21% of its graduates into large-firm associate jobs, earning the No. 22 spot on the NLJ’s list of “Go To Law Schools,” says The National Law Journal.

[quote_box_center]From the NLJ, “Howard attracts firms hoping to improve their racial diversity and produces graduates who succeed in large law firms, paving a way for alumni who follow.”[/quote_box_center]

“We have some very competitive students who firms believe can perform comparably to students from other schools,” LuEllen Conti, Howard’s career services director, told the NLJ.

The law firm Dorsey & Whitney, with over 10 locations in the United States and a location in London and Hong Kong, currently has 10 Howard alumni in all, and one of their attorney’s located in Utah was recently named one of Utah Business 2015 40 Under 40.

Read more here

George Zimmerman Escapes From Trouble, Again

Posted by Robert Hoggard
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According to reports the Department of Justice (DOJ) will not file charges against George Zimmerman for the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida.

The case that sparked a national debate on race and gun laws was a “a devastating tragedy,” says ongoing Attorney General Eric Holder:

[quote_box_center]”It shook an entire community, drew the attention of millions across the nation, and sparked a painful but necessary dialogue throughout the country,” Holder said. “Though a comprehensive investigation found that the high standard for a federal hate crime prosecution cannot be met under the circumstances here, this young man’s premature death necessitates that we continue the dialogue and be unafraid of confronting the issues and tensions his passing brought to the surface. We, as a nation, must take concrete steps to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.”[/quote_box_center]

Read more at CBSNews.com

5 Things Black Women Can Learn From – ‘Being Mary Jane’

Posted by Sonia Montalvo
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Mara Brock Akil’s “Being Mary Jane” is currently in its second season on BET and is striking chords with women all over. News anchor Mary Jane Paul (Gabrielle Union) balances her career, family life, and relationships, all while evolving and getting to know herself as a person. Contrary to popular belief, as women, there’s a lot we can learn from the hit show.

1. Conducting yourself in a work setting

Mary Jane (Union) is a local news anchor for a television station. We as viewers see how she carries herself in her work place setting. With sophisticated yet fashionable clothes, professional mannerisms (lets disregard what has taken place behind the closed door of her office when no one is around), and impeccable work ethic, we could all take a tip or two from her.

A lot of women could use some Mary Jane in their lives at the work place.

being-mary-jane-finale-pic

2. Family First 

Before the world gets a real peek at you, your family knows you in and out. To the world she’s Mary Jane Paul, to her family she’s just plain old Pauletta. Mary Jane is extremely family oriented, even though at times it is clear she doesn’t want to be. Whether it’s taking her insecure niece in who has two children and trying to help mold her self-esteem, or getting her brother out of legal trouble; we see that family is important to Mary Jane. She is this matriarchal sort of character who wants to care for her loved ones. Although I’m talking to the ladies, fellas this is something you could take from the show as well.

Screen-shot-2013-11-07-at-11.50.03-PM-378x414

3. Accepting your flaws

With no cut cards, Mary Jane knows that she doesn’t have it all together, that’s clear as day in every episode. We’ve seen Mary Jane make poor decisions all the way up to the men she’s dated, but the good thing that comes out of that is that she realizes she is not perfect. She takes her mistakes in stride and continues to move forward.

4. How you shouldn’t handle issues

While Mary Jane accepts her mistakes, let’s admit that some of them are just ones that you shouldn’t make. Ladies this is where we learn from example and not by trial and error. Dating a married man, stealing and freezing someone’s sperm, dwelling in your hurt, and lashing out at others because you are bitter–are all big “no-no’s”! In these situations, Mary Jane can be the poster child on how to handle certain issues!

5. It’s OK to be vulnerable

I’ve said this for forever; it is okay to let others know how you are feeling. I do understand that sometimes for protection, certain parts of you need to be kept to yourself, but there’s nothing wrong with vulnerability. Mary Jane lets others in her life know how she feels and why she feels that way. Perfect example, being in season one where she confesses her love to David (Stephen Bishop) who’s already “moved on” and gotten his new girlfriend pregnant. My point is sometimes leaving yourself open and letting others see your raw emotions isn’t always a bad thing.

Ladies all I’m saying is sometimes taking a pad and pen out during episodes of Being Mary Jane, isn’t a bad idea!