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Game 7
Opponent: Grambling State (1-4)
Date: Sunday, November 28, 2021
Site: Foote Center, Phoenix, Ariz.
Game Time: 10:30 p.m. EST
Coaches: MSU –Kevin Broadus (68-53, 4th yr) • GSU – Donte Jackson (63-61, 5th yr)
Websites: www.MorganStateBears.com | www.gsutigers.com
Game 8
Opponent: Hampton Pirates (2-4)
Date: Monday, November 29, 2021
Site: Foote Center, San Francisco, Calif.
Game Time: 8:30 p.m. EST
Coach: Hampton – Edward “Buck” Joyner (199-194, 13th yr)
Website: www.hamptonpirates.com
SETTING THE STAGE
• Morgan State (2-4) will take on Grambling State (1-4) and Hampton (2-4) in the inaugural Boost Mobile HBCU Challenge hosted by Chris Paul in Phoenix on Sunday and Monday. The Bears’ contest against the Grambling State on Sunday evening will be nationally televised on ESPNU at 10:30 p.m. (ET). Morgan’s contest against Hampton on Monday night will also be televised on ESPNU at 8:30 p.m.
• De’Torrion Ware, a junior from Hopkinsville Ky., was named the preseason MEAC Player of the Year … he finished the 2020-21 season as the Bears leader in scoring with 375 points (17.0 ppg; No. 1 in MEAC) and was second on the team in rebounding with 125 (5.7 avg; No. 7) … He ranked among the league leaders in three-point field goals made with 54 (T-No. 1) and his .388 three-point field goal percentage ranked eighth.
• Senior guard Sherwyn Devonish averaged 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 29.5 minutes per contest in his third season as the Bears starting point guard … He shot 50 percent from the floor, 40.2 percent from 3-point range and 81.6 percent from the charity stripe and led the team in assists with 3.6 assists per game (T-No. 8 in MEAC).
• Lagio Grantsaan averaged 10.0 points and 5.0 rebounds last season … He ranked No. 2 in the league in field goal shooting percentage (.530) and ranked No. 7 from beyond the arc where he shot 39.1 percent …The 6-8 forward also had 33 assists, 18 steals and 4 blocks.
• Senior guard Malik Miller, a second-team selection at the end of the year, was Morgan’s third leading scorer, averaging 12.1 points per game … he ranked among the league leaders in a number of categories: 8.0 rebounds (No. 2), 2.0 steals (No. 3) and ranked No. 5 in the league shooting 51.0 percent from the field.
• A couple of transfers could make an impact. Seventh Woods, who played at North Carolina from 2016-2019 and South Carolina from 2020-2021. The 6-foot-2, 184-pound guard won a national championship with the Tar Heels in 2017. The Bears also brought in Keith McGee (New Mexico), Myles Douglas (St. Joseph’s), Collin Nnamene (Mount St. Mary’s) and Ty Horner (North Dakota State Sciences).
• Last season, the MEAC split into Northern and Southern Divisions for basketball, and teams played conference games exclusively within their division.
Grambling State enters this weekend’s contest coming off a 71-61 home victory against Louisiana Christian on Wednesday (Nov. 24). Redshirt junior guard Cameron Christian (Allen, Texas), a preseason All-SWAC selection, led the Tigers with a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds, while AJ Taylor (Davenport, Iowa) added 14 points, seven boards and an assist. Danya Kingsby (12.2 ppg) and Cameron Christon (11.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg) have led the Tigers in scoring thru their first five games of the season. AJ Taylor is averaging 9.2 points and 5.0 rebounds. Donte Jackson enters his fifth season as head coach and has led the Tigers through their first four-year stretch since turning NCAA Division I. Under his helm, the team has not had a losing season and won its first SWAC championship in 30 years in 2017-2018. That season, Grambling defeated Georgia Tech, a Power 5 school, on the road.
Hampton will take on Norfolk State on Sunday night in the HBCU Challenge. Tip-off is set fr 8 p.m. (ET). The Pirates enter the 2-game event having lost a tough 58-52 decision against South Florida. USF hit a pair of clutch three-pointers as the Bulls came from behind to beat Hampton. Najee Garvin finished with 14 points to lead the Pirates, while Marquis Godwin added 12 points and Russell “Deuce” Dean finished with 11 points and five rebounds. Dean is currently leading the Pirates in scoring by averaging 18 points, 6.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds and is shooting 37.8 percent from the field. Garvin is averaging 15.8 points and 6.6 rebounds, and Raymond Bethea is adding 13.5 points and leads Hampton on the glass averaging 7.0 rebounds. Edward “Buck” Joyner, Jr. has averaged over 17 wins per season and has won three MEAC Tournament Championships, including three NCAA Tournament appearances (2011, 2015, 2016).
CHRIS PAUL HBCU CHALLENGE
The Bears early schedule includes playing eight of nine games away from Hill Field House, highlighting that stretch is back-to-back games in the Chris Paul HBCU Challenge in Phoenix, where the Bears will meet Grambling State (Nov. 28) and Hampton (Nov. 29).
• The first-of-its-kind event for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) will be played at the Footprint Center (Home of the Phoenix Suns) and air on ESPN Networks.
• The two-day doubleheader will feature the likes of Norfolk State University, Morgan State University, Hampton University and Grambling State University.
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE BEARS
• Nov 22, 2021 — Jamaree Bouyea had 22 points as San Francisco knocked off Morgan State 83-67 on Monday night at War Memorial Gym at the Sobrato Center. The Dons led the game from wire-to-wire and extended their winning streak to six games, while the Bears lost for the fourth time in a row.
• Isaiah Burke had 19 points (6-11 FG) for the Bears (2-4), who have now lost four in a row. Sherwyn Devonish added 11 points and rebounds. Chad Venning had 10 points, four boards and four blocks.
• The Dons used a 9-2 run to start the second half and a 3-pointer by Bouyea lifted USF to a 49-32 lead with 17 minutes remaining. The Bears responded with an 11-0 run over the next 3-minutes. Burke scored seven points during the stretch and Venning scored on an emphatic dunk to cut USF’s lead to 49-43 with 14:43 left to go.
• USF countered with a 20-4 explosion to put the game away. Josh Kunen buried a 3-pointer to give the Dons its largest lead of the night at 78-52 with 6:07 remaining.
• USF was solid defensively all night, limiting Morgan State to 39 percent shooting from the field and 25 percent (4-16) shooting from beyond the arc.
NBA HBCU CLASSIC
The NBA announced an extension of its ongoing commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with new programs designed to create greater opportunity for students and alumni, encourage economic advancement and further celebrate their rich traditions.
• The celebrations will be highlighted by a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) matchup between Howard University and Morgan State University men’s basketball teams. The game will be played at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland on February 19, 2022 and will be broadcast live.
• The NBA 2K League will host events on HBCU campuses to introduce students to careers in gaming and esports, creating pathways for students to pursue careers in the growing industry.
• As part of this partnership, the NBA will develop new programs and events focused on the HBCU community – specifically around professional development, career advancement and increased support and awareness for HBCU athletics and institutions.
OFFENSIVE OUTPUT
• The Bears are currently averaging 84.5 points (No. 1 in MEAC) thru its first six games.
• Morgan exploded for 118 points in its 2021-22 season opener versus St. Mary’s College of Maryland and followed it up with a 126-71 win against Penn State Allegheny.
• The Bears are shooting 46.8 percent from the field (ranked No. 3) and 34.6 percent from beyond the arc (T-No. 2).
• Morgan led the MEAC in scoring by averaging 79.8 points thru 22 games of the 2020-21 season.
• They scored a season-high 102 in a home win vs. Lincoln-Pa. (Dec. 1, 2020).
• MSU also led the MEAC in offensive rebounding (39.7 avg).
AT THE CHARITY LINE
The Bears’ returning team includes six players who shot 70 percent or better from the free throw line.
• Morgan has converted 66.2 percent (86-130) from the stripe thru the first six games.
• Last season, Morgan State shot 73.9 percent (369-499; ranked No. 1 in MEAC) from the stripe, led by De’Torrion Ware who shot 83.2 percent (84-101; ranked No. 5 in MEAC) and Malik Miller 71.6 percent (58-81; ranked No. 10).
BEAR D
Morgan has started off the 2021-22 campaign by allowing opponents to 77.7 points per game and 44.7 percent shooting from the field.
• MSU’s opponents have shot at a 37.6 percent clip on avearge from beyond the arc … this ranks last in the conference.
• The 24.6 turnovers per game Morgan’s defense forces ranks No. 1 in the country … MSU’s 12.7 steals per game ranks No. 4 in the nation.
• The Bears defense was ranked among the conference leaders a season ago and should once again be solid defensively for 2021-22 season.
• The Bears ranked No. 3 in the MEAC in field goal percentage defense at 42.2 percent.
• The Bears ranked No. 2 in the MEAC in three-point field goal percentage defense at 30.6 percent.
• MSU led the league in rebounding (+3.7) and ranked No. 2 in rebounding defense (36.0).
• MSU recorded 82 blocked shots (No. 2).
NON-CONFERENCE RECAP
Morgan State went 7-3 in non-conference play, the most non-conference wins since a 2019-20 season in which the Bears held a 6-9 non-conference mark. Prior to that, MSU had not won at least seven non-conference games since the 2012-13 season (7-9).
• Last season, MSU went 2-2 at home, 3-0 in road games and 2-1 in neutral site games.
AT THE HELM
• Kevin Broadus enters his third year at the helm as Morgan State’s 16th head coach of the men’s basketball program effective May 1, 2019.
• In Broadus’ debut season, Morgan State went 15-16, its largest victory total since 2013-14. Then last year, in the midst of a pandemic, the Bears produced a 14-8 mark — their best winning percentage since going 27-10 and making the NCAA tournament in 2009-10.
• Prior to Morgan, Broadus worked at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he has been one of the nation’s best recruiters as the top assistant on Mark Turgeon’s coaching staff. Broadus was influential in the successful NCAA tournament run for the Terps.
• Consistently ranked in the top 20 nationally for recruiting, Broadus was instrumental in signing a number of local Baltimore talents such as DeJuan Summers, Brandon Herbert, LaFonta Johnson, and Henry Sims.
WHO’S OUT
Troy Baxter (Tallahassee, Fla.), Victor Okafor (Greenbelt, Md.), Sharone Wright (Macon, Ga.),and Jamar Brown (Harlem, N.Y.) wrapped up their collegiate careers last spring.
WHO’S BACK
The Bears return four starters from last year’s team, bringing back guards Sherwyn Devonish, Malik Miller, Trevor Moore and forward Lagio Grantsaan. MSU also returns guards De’Torrion Ware, Isaiah Burke, Naseem Khaalid, Thai’re Vance, Elijah Bowens along with forward Chad Venning.
WHO’S IN
The Bears have added several newcomers to the 2021-22 roster: G Seventh Woods, G Will Thomas, G Keith McGee, F Ty Horner, F Collin Nnamene and F Myles Douglas.
RETURNING PRODUCTION NUMBERS
Morgan State returns 72.4 percent of its scoring, 63.7 percent of its rebounding and 70.4 percent of its minutes played totals from last year’s team. The team leaders in field goal percentage (De’Torrion Ware – .425), three-point percentage (De’Torrion Ware, .384), free throw percentage (De’Torrion Ware, .832), rebounding (Malik Miller – 8.0 rpg), assists (Sherwyn Devonish, 3.6), steals (Malik Miller, 2.0), blocked shots (Malik Miller, 0.9). and minutes played (Sherwyn Devonish, 29.5). Four (4) players who started in at least five (5) games a year ago also return – Devonish (22), Miller (22), Lagio Grantsaan (21 ), and Trevor Moore (20).
HOME GROWN
Morgan State has seven players from the DMV (D.C., Maryland & Metropolitan-D.C.) area. Senior guard Sherwyn Devonish is from Bladensburg, Md. and graduated from Wise HS. Senior guard Isaiah Burke is from Annapolis and was a prep standout at Bowie HS, while senior guard Malik Miller hails from Washington, D.C. and played at Friendship Tech Prep. Senior forward Myles Douglas is from Edgewood, Md. and was a standout at Aberdeen HS. Sophomore guard Will Thomas is from Baltiomore and played at Mervo HS. Junior guard Thai’re Vance is a product of Silver Spring, Md. and played at DeMatha Catholic HS.
BROADUS’ STAFF
Morgan State head basketball coach Kevin Broadus‘ coaching staff enters their third season. The Bears coaching staff consists of assistant coaches Brian Merritt, Chretien Lukusa and Kevin Jones.
• Merritt enters his third season on the Bears staff after serving the last two seasons as the Coordinator of Basketball Operations at LSU. Merritt, a native of St. Mary’s County, Maryland, joined LSU prior to the 2017-18 season after serving as Director of Scouting/Recruiting for John Lucas Enterprises.
• Lukusa enters his third season at Morgan State and was previously spent five years on Binghamton’s staff, including a pair of seasons on the coaching side. A 2011 Binghamton graduate who also earned his master’s degree at the University, Lukusa returned to the program in 2014. After serving two seasons as the coordinator of player development, Lukusa earned a promotion to assistant coach in Summer 2016.
• Jones, who is also in his third season at MSU, was previously the assistant director of basketball operations and video coordinator at Radford University (2018-19) where he oversaw all things video and technology. Prior to Radford, Jones was an assistant coach at Norfolk State (2015-18) where he helped guide the Spartans to back-to-back second-place finishes in the MEAC and coached three All-MEAC guards.
THE SCHEDULE
The season begins with back-to-back home games against St. Mary’s (Md.) and Penn State Allegheny the first week of the season before playing eight of the next nine away from Hill Field House. The highlight of that stretch is back-to-back games in the Chris Paul HBCU Challenge in Phoenix, where the Bears will meet Grambling State (Nov. 28) and Hampton (Nov. 29).
• Morgan State’s only trips to play power conference opponents come around the holidays, with a Dec. 23 trek to Wisconsin and a visit to Kansas State six days later. From there, it’s the 14-game MEAC schedule, starting with a Jan. 8 trip to North Carolina Central.
• The Bears play crosstown rival Coppin State at home on Jan. 15, beginning a stretch of seven out of 11 games at home. After the Feb. 28 home finale against Maryland-Eastern Shore, Morgan closes the regular season at Coppin State on March before starting MEAC tournament play the following week in Norfolk, Va.
PREDICTED TO FINISH SECOND IN THE MEAC
The Bears were picked second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s preseason poll, their second consecutive season of being projected to finish in second place.
• The 2021-22 Bears earned 99 total points in the voting, while claiming three of the 16 first-place votes. Norfolk State claimed 10 first place votes and 119 points total as the defending MEAC champions. North Carolina Central (93 pts) was selected third, followed by Coppin State (89 pts), Howard (70 pts) and Delaware State (43 pts). South Carolina State (39 pts) and Maryland Eastern Shore (24 pts) rounded out the league’s predicted order of finish.
• With the second-place selection, the Bears also earned an unprecedented five selections on the preseason all-MEAC squad as the quintet of De’Torrion Ware, Malik Miller, Lagio Grantsaan, Sherwyn Devonish., and Trevor Moore were all named.
• In addition, Ware was selected as the league’s Preseason Player of the Year – he becomes just the third Bear to ever be selected for the preseason honor, joining Phillip Carr (2017) and Kevin Thompson (2010). Reggie Holmes is the last Bears to win the regular-season award, when he received the award in 2009.
• It is the biggest contingent of Bears on the preseason team since 2013-14 as the Bears had Justin Black, Ian Chiles and Anthony Hubbard on the roster.
• The selections are well-earned – the Bears reached the MEAC tournament finals last season for the first time since 2014 and has one of the most experienced squads in program history coming back for this campaign. The Bears look primed to make a run for the MEAC title this season and try to raise the 6th regular-season and 4thtournament championship banners in the Hill Field House.
• The 2022 MEAC Basketball Tournament tips off March 9-12 at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. For more information about the MEAC and its sponsored sports, log on to www.MEACSports.com.
HOW TO WATCH GAMES: All men’s and women’s basketball home games will be video streamed for free through the MorganStateBears.com website. The latest broadcast and video stream information will always be listed on men’s and women’s basketball schedule pages at MorganStateBears.com.
MEN’S & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RADIO: All home games and select away games for MSU men’s and women’s basketball will once again be available through Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN.com). Lamont Germany will handle play-by-play responsibilities and will also host pre-game and post-game shows. Including exclusive interviews with members of the teams and women’s coach Ed Davis and men’s coach Kevin Broadus. Fans can download the HSRN app for free and listen to the MSU broadcasts from anywhere. Simply search for HSRN when using the iHeartRadio app.
FOLLOW MORGAN STATE ATHLETICS IN CYBERSPACE
There are many ways to keep up with MSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.morganstatebears.com, the official web site of Bears athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios and more.
• Follow us on social media:
Facebook: /MorganStateBears
Twitter: @MorganStBears
Instagram: /MorganStateBears
ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
