BETHEL THANKSGIVING CLASSIC PREVIEW: Bulldogs Head to McKenzie for the Bethel Thanksgiving Classic
Fisk finishes their pre-conference schedule with two games in McKenzie, Tennessee.
MCKENZIE, Tenn. -- The pre-conference schedule for the Fisk University Bulldogs (1-5) has not been for the faint of heart. One home game sandwiched around tilts with NCAA teams and some of the top NAIA teams in the country has given head coach Kenny Anderson and his coaching staff some tough challenges. Fisk has their final two tests this weekend before Gulf Coast Athletic Conference play starts. They will take on Bethel University and Life University in the Bethel Thanksgiving Classic.
"We are seeing different offenses and multiple sets," said Fisk grad assistant Blake Jones. "One night, a team will back door us, then we play an up-tempo team the next night. We have played well but get too much one-on-one on offense. It won't get any easier this weekend. Both teams are well-coached."
Blake Goodman has been coming on strong lately. In the last game against Clark Atlanta, he scored 30 points and grabbed ten rebounds, giving him his third game with over 20 points in a row. Goodman is averaging 19.8 points per game, with his only two sub-double-digit games coming in games played in Nashville at Tennessee State (five points) and at home against Wilberforce (four points). Not counting those two games, Goodman is averaging 27.5 ppg and is shooting 55% from the field.
The Bulldogs are getting a great effort from Tyon Thompson as well. The Cincinnati native is averaging 15.2 points per game and has scored over 20 in three of his last four games. He shot 9 of 19 in those three games from a three-point range. Against Clark Atlanta, the Bulldogs were outscored 53-5 off the bench. Look for Fisk to try to find a spark from bench players like Lucious Jackson and Carrington Allen.
The WMG "Pick 2 Click" for this weekend is Carrington Allen.
Game 7: Fisk University (1-5) at Bethel University (7-2)
Date/Time: Saturday, November 25 | 4:00 p.m. (CST)
Watch: Wildcat Streaming - Bethel University TN (bethelathletics.com)
Live Stats: 2023-24 Men's Basketball Schedule - Bethel University TN (bethelathletics.com)
Tickets: Bethel Box Office - Bethel University TN (bethelathletics.com)
Location: Crisp Arena, McKenzie, Tennessee
Game 8: Fisk University (1-5) at Life University (7-0)
Date/Time: Sunday, November 26 | 2:00 p.m. (CST)
Watch: Wildcat Streaming - Bethel University TN (bethelathletics.com)
Live Stats: 2023-24 Men's Basketball Schedule - Bethel University TN (bethelathletics.com)
Tickets: Bethel Box Office - Bethel University TN (bethelathletics.com)
Location: Crisp Arena, McKenzie, Tennessee
Quick Hits
New Athletic Director with Old Roots Bringing New Direction
On October 6. 2023, Valencia Jordan was announced as the new Director of Athletics. Jordan returned to Fisk after playing basketball in 1981-82. She gained experience as the Assistant Athletic Director at Tennessee State University. She also coached volleyball and women's basketball there.
Anderson's Tough Schedule Will Be Key When Conference Play Starts
With two NCAA D1 teams (TSU and Austin Peay) on the schedule, one might think that head coach Kenny Anderson is setting his team up for failure. Anderson scheduled them, and NAIA powers Faulkner (AL) University, Clark Atlanta, Freed-Hardeman University, Bethel University, Life University, and Wilberforce University to set his team up for success once the conference season rolls around.
Spicy Wings
Anderson has some athletic wings at his disposal, in Jayden Lockett, Tyon Thompson, and Blake Goodman. Already this season, the three have shown up huge. Lockett, a former Mr. Basketball candidate in Tennessee, is filling up the scoresheet with "Scottie Pippen" type numbers. Against Wilberforce, he had a triple-double of 18 points, 12 boards, and 10 helpers. Thompson scored 22 points against Wilberforce, including the game-winning shot, and Goodman had 36 points against Faulkner.
The Trees Are Growing Around Good Trouble U
Anderson jumped into the transfer portal to get a much bigger lineup. Two transfer players will have to sit out until they are qualified. They are Brazilian import Hamilton Wallace is the tallest recruit for Anderson at 7'1, Tyree Martin is 6'9, and freshman Solomon Mustafa-Reid is 6'8. He played in his first game this season against Wilberforce.
"We now look like a college team," said Anderson. "These guys will help us in the paint on both ends."
SCOUTING THE BETHEL UNIVERSITY WILDCATS
- The Wildcats are averaging 76.6 points per game and are outrebounding opponents by a 17.3 average per game.
- Querrion Gadsen leads a balanced attack at 12.6 ppg.
- Brennon Marsh leads the team with an 8.4 rebounds per game average.
SCOUTING THE LIFE UNIVERSITY EAGLES
- Life is one of the most explosive offensive teams in the NAIA, averaging 80.1 points per game, ranking them second in the country. Their 49% shooting from the field and 17.2 assists per game average are tops in the NAIA.
- Joshua Ward leads five players in double digits in points per game with a 17.2 average.
- The Eagles have four players that are 6'7 and above.
- Nathan Presnell is shooting 63% from the field.
NEXT UP:
The Bulldogs will start GCAC play when they host Rust College on November 30.