Jan. 6, 2007
Setting The Scene...The Rams enter into tonight's contest with a 1-18 record overall. Winston-Salem State University is riding a 15-game losing streak as they followed up their only win of the season (over Anderson (SC) University by the score of 67-44 on November 14, 2006) with 14 consecutive losses to Auburn (95-62), Georgia State (94-87), Coppin State (81-65), Georgia Southern (70-41 and 59-49), Lipscomb (62-46), Notre Dame (90-45), the University of South Florida (63-43), Akron (79-67), Georgetown (76-32), #11/#12 Kansas (94-43), UAB (84-53), Towson (80-59), Georgia Tech (97-46) and most recently to Morgan State (53-50) to drop to 1-18 overall.
Looking At The Past Schedule...The Rams will be playing in their 20th game overall and their first home game following 16 straight contests away from home. The Rams opened the season with three games, all losses, in
What's On Tap...The Rams are returning to the
Last Action...The Rams' last action came on January 5, 2007 as WSSU fell in defeat to the Morgan State University Bears by the score of 53-50 at the Hill Field House in Baltimore, Maryland. The loss dropped the Rams to 1-18 on the season and marked the 15th consecutive loss for the Rams. Brian Fisher led all WSSU scorers with 14 points as he and Darius Floyd (13 points) were the only two WSSU players to record double-digit point totals. Ronald Timus led victorious
Up Next...The Rams have 11 days without game action as they will not return to action until January 18, 2007 when they travel to
Following The Game Against MSU...Following the Rams' matchup with the Bears of Morgan State University, WSSU has returned home to a place that almost seems foreign to them...the
It's Been A Decade...The Rams have lost 15 consecutive games and have lost 18 of their last 19 contests. The Rams' current 15-game losing streak is the most consecutive losses for WSSU since a 15-game skid that occurred during the 1991-92 season, a season in which the Rams finished the year with a 6-20 record.
How Long Has It Been?...The Rams last losing season came in 1995-96 when
On The Radio...The Rams will broadcast this non-conference contest over the radio airwaves on Sunday when they face the Panthers of Ferrum at the
On Television...The game between the Rams and the Panthes is not televised. However, the Rams' game versus
Live Audio/Live Stats...The WSSU Department of Athletics will provide a real-time live statistics broadcast of the game between the Rams and the Panthers at www.WSSURAMS.com.
The Polls...Neither the Rams (NCAA Division I) nor the Panthers (NCAA Division III) are ranked. The Rams have faced a pair of opponents this season that are currently ranked in the national polls in the Kansas Jayhawks (#9/#10) and the Fighting Irish of the University of Notre Dame (#19/#24). The first ranking indicates the Associated Press poll, the second indicates the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll.
Collins Versus The Panthers...The Rams' Bobby Collins who is in his first season as the head coach at Winston-Salem State has never faced the Panthers of Ferrum College. Collins has never faced a Division III team during his head coaching career and the contest will mark the first time that the Rams have faced a Division III team in over 15 years. Collins and Ferrum head coach Bill Tharp have never faced each other in head-to-head coaching action.
The Series...The Rams and Panthers have never met. The 2006-07 season is the first year of Division I classification for the Rams as they are in the second year of a five-year transition from the NCAA Division II level where they spent 61 seasons earning 10 conference (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) titles, 23 NCAA Tournament appearances, and the 1967 NCAA Championship. The Panthers are members of the USA South Atlantic Conference in the ranks of NCAA Division III.
The Coaches...WSSU is led by Bobby Collins who is in his first year as the head coach of the Rams. He is entering into his fifth season as a Division I head coach and has posted a 66-75 overall record as he led Hampton University to a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament last season. He has posted a 1-18 overall record at WSSU with his only win coming in a 67-44 decision over the Anderson University Trojans. The Panthers are led by Bill Tharp who is in the midst of his second season as the head coach at Ferrum College. Tharp has amassed a career head coaching record, and record at Ferrum, of 13-25. A 1996 graduate or the United States Military Academy (Army), Tharp and Collins have never faced one another.
The Century Club...Senior guard/forward Curtis Hines appeared in his 100th game as a Rams when he played versus Akron on December 9, 2006. He celebrated cracking the century mark with a 20-point performance, including going 5-of-7 from behind the three-point arch.
A Look At The Panthers...Friday's contest will be the 13th game of the season for the Panthers as they enter into the contest boasting an overall record of 6-6. Ferrum College is riding a two-game losing streak as they have dropped their last two decisions to Drew and Chestnut Hill respectively. Prior to the pair of losses the Panthers has enjoyed a three-game win streak, their second of two such three-game win streaks that they have earned this season. The Panthers are 3-1 at home this season, 3-3 on the road and 0-2 at neutral sites.
A Look At Ferrum College...Ferrum College is an institution of higher education that is located in Ferrum, Virginia. A member of the NCAA's Division III classification, Ferrum boasts an enrollment of only 1,000 students. The Panthers' colors are Black and Gold and Ferrum is a member of the USA South Atlantic Conference. Ferrum compiled a 2005-06 record of 7-19 and posted a 3-9 record in the conference, good enough for a sixth-place finish last season. The Panthers play their home games in Swartz Gymnasium with a capacity of 1,200 people.
A Tribute To Coach "Big House" Gaines...Since the unfortunate passing of legendary WSSU coach Clarence E. "Big House" Gaines nearly 20 months ago, the Rams have continued to adorn the name-plate on the back of all of their uniforms with his name. C.E. "Big House" Gaines still ranks as the fifth winningest coach in NCAA history and remains the winningest African American coach in NCAA history. He put Winston-Salem State University on the map and as such, the team pays tribute to him by adorning their jerseys with his namesake.
O-Fer In The Harbor Town...The Rams are currently 0-2 this season when playing in the city of Baltimore. The Rams lost an 81-56 decision to the Eagles of Coppin State in Baltimore, Maryland on November 21, 2006 and lost their most recent contest, a 53-50 decision to Morgan State University on January 7, 2006.
A November Record...The Rams played 10 games during the month of November, turning in a 1-9 record. Until this season Winston-Salem State University had never played 10 games during the first month of the season. WSSU had played nine games in the month of November three times in history but had never played 10 games like they did this season. Of those ten games, nine game on the road.
14 Conferences Down...The months of November and December saw the Rams play teams from 11 different conferences. The Rams have faced the: Western Athletic Conference (WAC) when they played Fresno State, Big West when they played UC-Irvine, the Sun Belt when they played South Alabama, the Carolinas-Virginias Athletic Conference (NCAA Division II) when they played Anderson, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) when they played Auburn, the Colonial Athletic Conference (CAA) when they played Georgia State and Towson, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) when they played Coppin State, the Atlantic Sun (A-Sun) when they played Lipscomb, and the Big East when they played Notre Dame, the University of South Florida, and Georgetown. The Rams added their 11th conference played when they faced the Akron Zips of the Mid-American Conference and added their 12th conference faced at Kansas as they faced the big 12 for the first time this season. The Rams then added Conference USA in their loss to UAB as WSSU faced their 13th conference in 2006-07 and then added the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in their 53-50 loss to Morgan State on January 5, 2007.
Two Conferences To Go...The Rams have faced 13 different conferences thus far in 2006-07 and will face an additional two other conferences this season. In the upcoming weeks the Rams will face the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) when they face Georgia Tech and Wake Forest (January 3 and February 6),the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference when they face Florida A&M, and Bethune-Cookman (January 5, 27 and 29) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) when they face Alabama A&M (February 12) giving the Rams a total of 15 different conferences faced this season.
Home, Sweet Home?...The Rams have played three games at home and have lost two of the three contests. The Rams defeated Anderson (SC) and lost contests to Georgia Southern and the University of South Florida. WSSU looks to even that record to 2-2 on Sunday when they face Ferrum College.
Road Weary...The Rams have yet to win a game played on the road this season. WSSU has dropped 16 contests away from the C.E. Gaines Center. WSSU has posted an 0-14 record on the road and an 0-2 record at neutral sites.
No Rest For The Wicked...It gets no easier for the Rams after a pair of home games as they are in the midst of a seven-game road trip that started at Akron (December 9) and included trips to Georgetown (December 16), Kansas (December 19), UAB (December 23), Towson (December 29), Georgia Tech (January 3), and Morgan State (January 5) before returning to the C.E. Gaines Center for a home game versus Ferrum on January 7.
Must Score More Than 59...The Rams need to hit the 60-point mark if they want to earn a win. WSSU has posted an 0-14 record when they score 59 or less points during the 2006-07 season.
Chilly December...The Rams are not sad to see the month of December pass them by. Winston-Salem State posted an 0-7 record in the final month of 2006 as they dropped all seven games they played.
Winless When They Score First...The Rams are winless and have posted an 0-11 record when their opponents score the first points of the game. WSSU has posted a 1-7 record when they tally the contest's first points. WSSU saw this trend continue on Friday as Jamal Durham's pair of free throws gave WSSU an early 2-0 lead and ultimately lead to a loss.
Field Goal Defense Keys Wins...The Rams are allowing their opponents to shoot nearly 51% from the field this season and the results show it. WSSU has posted an 0-13 record this season when they allow their opponents to hit more than half of their shots.
Rebounding Deficit...The Rams are being out-rebounded by nearly nine boards per game in 2006-07 and WSSU has posted an 0-17 record when opponents out-rebound them. WSSU is 1-1 when they out-rebound their opponents.
Look Good, Feel Good? Maybe Not...The Rams fashion choices may have no correlation between their winning and losing as WSSU has posted an 0-10 record while wearing their red jerseys, and 0-6 record while wearing their black jerseys and a 1-2 record while wearing their white jerseys.
Wednesday's Second Time...The contest versus Georgia Tech on December 7, 2007 marked only the second time that the Rams have played on a Wednesday. WSSU has posted an 0-2 record in 2006-07 when playing on a Wednesday.
Lewis Gets Starting Three-Peat...Greg Lewis started his first career game for the Rams versus the Bulls of the University of South Florida. Unfortunately, Lewis fouled out of the contest after recording only seven minutes of playing time while scoring no points. He logged his second career start versus Akron where he played 11 minutes, scoring four points and picking up a pair of personal fouls and followed it up with his third career, and third consecutive, start at Georgetown University where he logged 15 minutes, missed both his shots from the field and collected three personal fouls.
On The Receiving End...The Rams were again on the receiving end of another team record as the University of South Florida's McHugh Mattis recorded the Bulls' second-ever triple double as he tallied 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 blocked shots while playing all 40 minutes in the game against the Rams on December 7, 2006.
Wonge Scoreless No More...Darrell Wonge, who turned in three consecutive scoreless games in the month of December, broke his scoreless drought as he tallied 14 points versus Akron. Wonge posted a five-of-eight shooting night and hit three of his four three-point field goal attempts.
Only 20%...The Rams shot a chilly 20.4% from the field versus the Hoyas of Georgetown on December 16 as WSSU hit only 10 of their 49 field goal attempts. The Rams have shot less than 40% in 17 of 19 games this season and have posted a loss in all 17 of those games.
Frequent Flier Miles...The Rams will travel over 25,000 miles round trip this season as they play 23 road games this year. The Rams will travel by plane to visit 12 opponents and will travel by charter bus for the remaining 11 opponents.
Unique Opponents...The Rams will face 27 unique opponents during the 2006-07 season. The Rams will play only the Georgia Southern Eagles and the North Dakota State Bison more than once during their first year as a Division I team.
Trailing At The Half...The Rams have led at halftime four times this season and have posted a 1-3 record when doing so. WSSU has trailed at the half 15 times and WSSU has posted losses in all 15 of those contests.
Have To Hold `Em Under 30%...The Rams' lone win of the 2006-07 season came when they held their opponent to under 30% shooting from the field. When opponents shoot 40% or better from the field the Rams are a collective 0-17 on the season.
Margin Is High...The Rams have lost 12 games by 17 points or more. WSSU has had only one contest decided by less than 10 points. That close contest came in their last game, a 53-50 loss at Morgan State University.
Don't Bet On Black...The Rams have played 13 games away from home (non-neutral site games). However, WSSU has lost six of those games while wearing their alternate black jersey and lost nine games wearing their road red jersey (the other two losses coming in a neutral-site game away from home when they wore their home white jersey).
Transition Year Two...The Rams are currently in the second year of a five-year transition from the Division II level to the highest level of competition in Division I. The Rams are an independent team this season but will join the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in 2007-08. The Rams will become a full-fledged Division I member that is eligible for all NCAA championships in the 2010-11 season.
12th MEAC Member...On July 20, 2006, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced that it will expand its membership to 12 members next year, as the league voted to admit Winston-Salem State University into the league beginning in 2007-08. "We are elated to welcome Winston-Salem into the MEAC family", said Commissioner Dennis Thomas. "Obviously we think that WSSU is an outstanding academic institution with an excellent athletics program." Winston-Salem State University is currently in the second year of its reclassification from Division II to NCAA Division I status. WSSU will begin a full MEAC schedule in all sports beginning in 2007-08. However they will not be eligible for MEAC Championship play until the 2010 football season. The addition of WSSU marks the first expansion for the MEAC since 1997, when Norfolk State University became the 11th member of the conference.
Tough Tests...The Rams have one of the most difficult schedules in the nation. They face 11 different conferences and will face 27 unique opponents. The Rams will face #11/#12 Kansas (December 19), previously-ranked, and vote-getter Georgetown (December 16) and vote-getter Georgia Tech (January 3) this season. WSSU faces four teams that made the 2006 NCAA Tournament (Georgetown, Kansas, South Alabama, and Alabama-Birmingham) and five teams that made the NIT (Wake Forest, Lipscomb, Georgia Southern, Notre Dame and Akron).
It's In The Game...With their transition to the Division I level, the Rams have been included in the latest installment of Take 2 Interactive's NCAA 2K7 video game for X-Box, X-Box 360 and Sony Playstation 2. The Rams are rated a 68 overall and are ranked higher overall than all but two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference teams.
A New Era; A Proud History...The Rams are entering into a new era at WSSU as they are heading into the Division I ranks. However, the Rams have a history of basketball excellence as they have recorded 49 winning seasons including 10 consecutive winning years. The Rams have posted 23 20-win seasons and a 30-win season in 1967 when they won the NCAA Championship with a 31-1 record.
1000-Plus Wins All-Time...Winston-Salem State University has posted an all-time record of 1050-614 for a winning percentage of 63.2%. Legendary coach Clarence E. "Big House" Gaines won 828 games at WSSU during his career which still places him fifth on the NCAA's all-time win list (behind Bobby Knight of Indiana and now Texas Tech, Dean Smith of North Carolina, Adolph Rupp of Kentucky, and Jim Phelan of Mount Saint Mary's).
California Love?...The Rams are not thrilled with their early-season road trip to California. The Rams are now saddled with an overall all-time mark of 0-2 versus teams from the State of California, and head coach Bobby Collins is now 0-4 all-time versus California schools.
First In Shooting...The Rams were first in the CIAA in shooting percentage last season as they hit 47.6% of their shots. WSSU shot 50% or better from the field in 11 of their last 15 games in 2005-06 and posted an 11-4 mark over that stretch. This season the Rams have yet to crack the 50% shooting barrier in any game.
Turnover Differential...The Rams ranked first in the CIAA in turnover margin as they turned in a plus (+) 3.04 turnover ratio last season. This season the Rams are committing eight-tenths of a turnover more per game than they force.
Injury Update...Heading into the 13th week of the 2006-07 season, the Rams are again healthy with no players on the injury chart. All 14 active roster members will be at head coach Bobby Collins' disposal for Sunday's game.
Jamal Durham Up To His Old Tricks...WSSU sophomore forward Jamal Durham is continuing the 2006-07 season right where he left off last season, a season that saw him earn CIAA All-Rookie honors. Durham heads into this week's action averaging 8.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest.
The Last Time WSSU Scored 100...The last time that the Rams scored 100 points was on December 2, 2005 versus Knoxville College. The Rams earned the 103-80 win in Winston-Salem, NC at the CE Gaines Center. In that game WSSU had seven players score in double-figures as Alleggrie Guinn tallied 20 points to lead the Rams.
The Last Time WSSU Gave Up 100...The last time that the Rams gave up 100 points to an opponent was on February 14, 1998 (Valentine's Day) at Capel Arena in Fayetteville, NC. The Rams lost that contest, broadcast live on television on MBC Networks, in triple-overtime, to Fayetteville State University by the score of 112-104 (3OT).
The Last Time WSSU Held An Opponent To Under 30% FG Shooting...The last time that the Rams held an opponent to less than 30% shooting from the field was on November 14, 2006 when they held the Trojans of Anderson University (SC) to a 28.6.0% shooting percentage as the Trojans converted only 14 of 49 field goal attempts. The contest was a 67-44 win for WSSU at the C.E. Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, NC. It also served as Bobby Collins first win as head coach at WSSU.
Deep Bench...Despite being young, the Rams, and head coach Bobby Collins have a deep bench. Through 19 games of the 2006-07 season, Winston-Salem State University has eight players on the roster who have appeared in all 19 games. The Rams also have 10 players who have started at least one contest.
The Last Time WSSU Had Two Players Record Double-Doubles In The Same Game...Was on December 1, 2001 at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC when Marcus Best, WSSU's all-time leader in steals (346), scored 19 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Devonaire Deas, a transfer from Florida State University, chipped in with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The Last Time WSSU Had A Player Record An Assist/Points Double-Double...Was on January 31, 2006 as Alleggrie Guinn scored 26 points and added 10 assists in WSSU's 82-75 loss to the Broncos of Fayetteville State University at the LJVM Coliseum Annex.
The Last Time That A WSSU Player Led The Rams In Points/Rebounds/Assists...Was on December 7, 2004 at Mars-Hill College when Alleggrie Guinn recorded 25 points, six rebounds, and four assists in WSSU's 83-80 win. He also led the Rams in steals in that same contest with four.
The Last Time WSSU Defeated A Ranked Team...Was on February 11, 2006 in Charlotte, NC as the Rams handed the 23rd-ranked (NCAA Division II) Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University an 81-57 defeat at Brayboy Gymnasium. The Rams have defeated at least one ranked team each season for four consecutive seasons (the Rams were a Division II team for 61 years with the 2006-07 season marking their first year as a Division I program).
A Look At The University...Winston-Salem State University was founded as the Slater Industrial Academy on September 28, 1892. It began in a one-room frame structure with 25 pupils and one teacher. In 1895, the school was recognized by the state of North Carolina, and in 1897, it was chartered by the Slater Industrial and State Normal School.
From the beginning, the school has insisted upon the vital importance of elementary school teachers in building an improved citizenship. Emphasis has, therefore, constantly been placed upon the quality and quantity of training for these teachers. In 1925, the General Assembly of North Carolina recognized the school's leadership in this field and granted the school a new charter, extending its curriculum above high school. The school changed its name to Winston-Salem Teachers College and empowered it, under the authority of the State Board of Education, to confer appropriate degrees. Winston-Salem Teachers College thus became the first Negro institution in the nation to grant degrees for teaching in the elementary grades.
The Nursing School was established in 1953, awarding graduates the degree of Bachelor of Science. The basic nursing program covers four years of study with equal emphasis on academic and professional education.
In 1957, the North Carolina General Assembly revised the charter of the college and authorized the expansion of the curriculum to include secondary education and any other specific types of training as directed and determined by the State Board of Higher Education.
The North Carolina General Assembly of 1963 authorized the changing of Winston-Teachers College to Winston-Salem State College. A statute designing Winston-Salem Teachers College as Winston-Salem State University received legislative approval in 1969. On October 30, 1971, the General Assembly reorganized higher education in North Carolina, and on July 1, 1972, Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) became one of 16 constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina, subject to the control of the Board of Governors.
Winston-Salem State University is located on 110 acres in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, a city of 185,470 residents. This thriving Twin City is part of the Piedmont Triad, which encompasses the neighboring cities of Greensboro and High Point. The Triad is one of the most heavily populated and fastest growing metropolitan areas between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, GA (U.S. Census Statistical Information).
Winston-Salem State University rapidly is changing its "well-kept secret" status. The University has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report's "Best Colleges and Universities" publication as one of the best public liberal arts colleges in the south for the last five years. WSSU is perhaps best defined by part of the University's mission statement which reads: "Excellent academic programs with a strong liberal arts foundation will be offered within a learning culture which exemplifies excellence in teaching and scholarship; emphasizes faculty-student interaction; promotes lifelong learning; and prepares individuals for leadership and service in the global society."
The present day Winston-Salem State University has come a long way from its humble beginnings as Slater Industrial Academy in 1892; WSSU now enrolls over 5,557 students, offers bachelor's degrees in over 40 majors, master's degrees in seven degree programs, and employs nearly 250 full-time faculty and 350 staff members. It is accredited by the Commission on College of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. WSSU has a diverse student population with increasing enrollment of non-traditional and part-time students.
On March 5, 1998 the University's "Strategic Framework for Change" was unveiled to the Board of Trustees and the Winston-Salem community. The document provides the context for transforming today's Winston-Salem State University into one of the region's finest public undergraduate institutions. Nursing at Winston-Salem State University offers a global health curriculum and international student and faculty exchange. Gottenburg's University in Sweden, the Nightingale Institute at King's College in London, the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, Waterford Regional Technical College in Southern Ireland, and WSSU are all partners in this exciting venture.
The pass rate for Winston-Salem State University nursing graduates on the state board examination is above 90 percent, one of the highest in the state of North Carolina and the highest among historically black colleges and universities nationally.
In the 90's, Fortune 500 corporations increasingly recruited business, economics, and accounting graduates. Recently, the University's student chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants was recognized in the national competition at the Association's annual meeting. Winston-Salem State University is no longer a hidden jewel or "Best Kept Secret." The word is out about WSSU.
WSSU are all partners in this exciting venture.
The pass rate for Winston-Salem State University nursing graduates on the state board examination is above 90 percent, one of the highest in the state of North Carolina and the highest among historically black colleges and universities nationally.
In the 90's, Fortune 500 corporations increasingly recruited business, economics, and accounting graduates. Recently, the University's student chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants was recognized in the national competition at the Association's annual meeting. Winston-Salem State University is no longer a hidden jewel or "Best Kept Secret." The word is out about WSSU.
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