Feb. 3, 2010
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The Winston-Salem State University men's basketball team will return to action on Thursday, Feb. 4 as they play host to the Panthers of Ferrum at the C.E. Gaines Center for the third-ever meeting between the two teams. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The contest is one that was originally slated to take place on Dec. 12 but was snowed out.
In Brief
Winston-Salem State enters the contest with a 7-12 overall record as they are coming off of a 74-48 loss at Bethune-Cookman on Monday, Feb. 1 as the Rams closed out a two-game Florida road trip with a pair of losses. The loss moved WSSU to 7-12 overall on the season and the Rams fell to 4-5 versus teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
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The Panthers enter into action with a 9-11 overall record and have lost their last two contests. The Panthers' last action came on Monday, Feb. 1 as they fell in defeat at Methodist University by the score of 80-74. The loss relegated Ferrum to 9-11 on the season and 3-5 in the USA South Atlantic Conference.
Television
There is no live television broadcast.
WSSU Radio
The Rams will broadcast the contest versus the Panthers live on the radio and on the Internet with DW Communications producing the broadcast on the Classics Sports Radio Network as the managing partner of the Rams Radio Network. Donal Ware will call all the play-by-play action with L.A. Batchelor providing color analysis. The game will air live locally on WPET 950 AM. The game will also be available online at ClassicSportsRadio.com and online at WSSURams.com. To access the live broadcast online, click on the "Teamline" link.
Last Action
The Rams' last action came on Feb. 1 in Daytona Beach, Fla. where the Rams fell in defeat to the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University by the score of 74-48 to cap a two-game, five-day Sunshine State road trip that covered nearly 1,500 miles of highway.
Despite being paced by Paul Davis and Shelton Carter who each recorded 10 points in the loss, the Rams would squander a six-point lead en route to falling in defeat to the Wildcats who evened the all-time series at 3-3.
The Rams' achilles heel proved to be turnovers as they surrendered the ball to Bethune-Cookman 22 times in the loss as Winston-Salem State dropped to 7-12 on the season and 4-5 versus teams from the MEAC.
National Rankings
Neither team is ranked in either the Associated Press poll or the USA Today/ESPN Coaches' poll. Since making the transition to the NCAA Division I level the Rams have not been ranked.
The Rams Vs. Ranked Teams
Since making the transition to the NCAA Division I level, WSSU has faced a ranked opponent five times, losing all four contests. The Rams fell to #11/#12 Kansas on Dec. 19, 2006; fell to #17/#22 Georgetown 76-32 on Dec. 16, 2006; fell to #21/#22 Notre Dame on Nov. 29, 2006; fell to #20/#24 Wake Forest on Nov. 24, 2008 and fell to NR/#20 Georgia Tech on Dec. 29, 2009.
Rating Percentage Index (RPI) Update
The Rams are currently ranked 299th in the RPI, down 10 spots from a 289th ranking last week. The Rating Percentage Index (RPI) has been used by the NCAA since 1981 to supplement selection of at-large teams and help determine the seeding of all teams for the NCAA Tournament. The RPI is derived from three components: Division I winning percentage, schedule strength and opponent's schedule strength. Games against non-Division I opponents are not used.
The Series
The two teams have met two other times in history. WSSU will face the Panthers of Ferrum for the third time in the history of the two programs on Thursday. The Rams lead the series 2-0. WSSU earned a 77-56 victory in the first-ever meeting between the two teams on Jan. 7, 2007 at the C.E. Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. and followed it up with a 61-55 victory on Dec. 19, 2007 at the C.E. Gaines Center. The Rams did not face the Panthers in 2008-09.
A Quick Look At Ferrum
The Panthers, a member of NCAA Division III and the USA South Atlantic Conference, boast an institutional enrollment of only 1,400 students. Ferrum is coached by Bill Tharp who heads into action with a 56-69 overall record in his fifth season at Ferrum.
Ferrum is coming off of a 2008-09 season that saw them post a 14-12 overall record and a 7-5 conference mark. The Panthers welcome back the services of four starters and nine newcomers in 2009-10. Ferrum enters into the contest with an impressive 5-4 record overall as Derek Mitchell and Daryl Hart lead the team as the Panthers' only double-figure scorers with 17.9 and 14.6 points per game respectively.
Looking Ahead
Following WSSU's two-game Sunshine State road trip the Rams return to the C.E. Gaines Center for their next three contests, a Nov. 4 matchup versus Ferrum, a Nov. 6 date with Howard and a Feb. 8 meeting with Hampton.
Career High Helpers
WSSU freshman point guard Marcus Wells turned in a career-high eight assists in the Rams' 75-69 loss at Florida A&M on Jan. 30.
Davis Dominating
Paul Davis led the Rams in scoring for the ninth time this season when he recorded 10 points in WSSU's last action versus Bethune-Cookman. The junior forward has come on strong as of late and is almost averaging a double-double for the Rams (10.2 pts/7.4 reb).
Points-Rebounds-Assists
Paul Davis' 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists versus Norfolk State on Jan. 23 marked the first time that a WSSU player led the team in points, rebounds and assists since Jamal Durham did it on Feb. 23, 2010 with 16 points, 17 rebounds and a pair of assists.
Dunkin' Davis
The Rams have recorded 40 dunks this season and junior forward Paul Davis has been responsible for 29 of them. Of Davis' 79 made field goals, 29 of them are dunks, accounting for 36.7 percent of his made field goals.
Rebounding & Scoring
Paul Davis has led the team in rebounding in the last four games, in 12 of the Rams' 19 games and in nine of the last 10 contests. He has also led the team, or had a share of the team lead, in scoring in a team-high nine games including the last six games and in nine of the last 10 contests.
Largest Deficit Overcome
The Rams' comeback from a 14-point deficit on Jan. 25 versus North Carolina A&T marks the largest WSSU come-from-behind victory in 2009-10.
Vs. The MEAC
The Rams have posted an impressive 4-5 record versus Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponents. If WSSU was eligible for a MEAC title they would rank sixth in the conference at this point in the season with a 4-5 MEAC record.
Dominic Alston Sidelined
The Rams have likely lost junior transfer guard Dominic Alston for the season with a left foot fracture that he suffered in WSSU's season-opener at Oregon. Medical tests confirmed that he has a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. Alston underwent surgery to repair the fracture on Thursday, Dec. 3 at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital with WSSU orthopedic surgeon Dr. Cristin Ferguson performing the procedure. He is expected to make a full recovery. The timetable for his return has not yet been announced.
Injury Report
The Rams will be without the services of Diontae Gibson (knee) and Dominic Alston (foot) who are both out for Thursday's game. Forward McIntoche Alcius is doubtful with a fractured jaw.
Collins Accepts Contract Extension
Winston-Salem State University head men's basketball coach Bobby Collins has accepted a contract extension to remain the coach of the Rams for the next three seasons. Collins' contract extension will guarantee that he will coach the Rams through the 2012-13 season.
"Coach Collins has done an excellent job leading the men's basketball program. He has shown he is the right person to lead our program to, and through, the challenges. He is an outstanding coach and a class act and I am happy that he has accepted the offer to continue to be our head men's basketball coach for the next three seasons" Winston-Salem State University Director of Athletics, William "Bill" Hayes said.
Collins has accepted WSSU's offer to remain the head coach of the men's basketball program through the 2012-13 season and official signature on his contract is forthcoming.
Completing The Sweep
The Rams have not defeated a conference opponent on the same date that the Lady Rams have defeated the same opponent in over four seasons. The last time that WSSU has completed a "conference sweep" was when the Rams defeated St. Paul's 88-76 and the Lady Rams defeated St. Paul's 65-45 on Jan. 21, 2006.
Record-Setting Rebounds
The Rams recorded a record 60 rebounds in their win over Washington Adventist on Jan. 4. WSSU pulled down 17 offensive boards and 43 defensive rebounds. The 60 total rebounds is the highest rebounding total in the Bobby Collins head coaching era.
The Century Mark
The Rams have not given up 100 points to an opponent since surrendering 112 points to the Broncos of Fayetteville State on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) of 1998 when they fell in defeat 112-104 in triple overtime, a span of 348 games. The Rams have scored 100 points of more seven times since with the most recent 100-point scoring outburst coming on Jan. 12, 2008 when they defeated Maryland-Eastern Shore 105-59. The Rams have not scored 100 points or more in a span of 65 games.
Fisher Is The 26th Member Of 1,000-Point Club
Senior guard Brian Fisher became the 26th member of WSSU's illustrious 1,000-point club when he scored his final basket in the Rams' 94-57 victory over Atlanta Christian College on Nov. 20. Fisher dunked home his 14th point of the contest and scored his 1,000th career point. The senior guard has appeared in 104 games for the Rams and has an 11.3 points per game career scoring average. Fisher is the second WSSU player to break the 1,000 point scoring mark in as many seasons. Jamal Durham accomplished the same feat last season.
First Time In Eight Years
With three players recording double-doubles in the win over Atlanta Christian on Nov. 20, the Rams recorded two or more players with double-figure points and double-figure rebounds in the same contest for the first time since Dec. 1, 2001 when Marcus Best scored 19 points and recorded 10 rebounds and Devonaire Deas scored 18 points and recorded 10 rebounds. In the victory over the Chargers, Shelton Carter recorded 17 points and 10 boards, Paul Davis tallied 13 points and 11 rebounds and McIntoche Alcius recorded 10 points and a team-leading 12 rebounds.
First Time Since Last March
When the Rams had five players score in double-figures on Friday, Nov. 20 it marked the first time since WSSU's overtime victory over Bethune-Cookman on March 3, 2008 that the Rams had five double-digit scorers. Shelton Carter (17), Brian Fisher (14), Paul Davis (13), Andrew Jackson (12) and McIntoche Alcius (10) all scored in double-figures. The Rams repeated the feat on Jan. 4 when Paul Davis (15), Brian Fisher (12), Marcus Wells (10), Andrew Jackson (10) and Stephon Platt (10) all scored in double-figures.
Home Sweet Home
The Rams will benefit from truly playing at home this season as Winston-Salem State has moved all but one home game back to the C.E. Gaines Center on the campus of WSSU instead of using the Joel Coliseum and Coliseum Annex as their home courts. The 3,200-seat venue is one of the most hostile places for a visiting team to play in the Southeast with the Rams boasting a nearly .730 winning percentage inside its confines. Thus far this season the Rams are 6-2 at home.
A Look Inside The Numbers
• The Rams are 7-12 this season. WSSU is 4-2 on Monday, 0-4 on Tuesday, 1-1 on Friday, 2-4 on Saturday and 0-1 on Sunday.
• The Rams are 7-12 overall, 6-2 at home, 1-8 on the road and 0-2 in neutral site games. WSSU has faced 10 non-conference opponents (3-7) and has faced nine MEAC foes (4-5).
• The Rams are undefeated at 4-0 when they score 80 points or more.
• Winston-Salem State is 5-1 when they have a player record both double-figure points and rebounds (double-double). The Rams' first loss when having a player record a double-double came on Dec. 5 as WSSU fell 63-60 to South Carolina State despite Paul Davis' 17 point and 12 rebound performance.
• The Rams are 2-8 when their opponent has a player record a double-double.
• In a dramatic improvement over the past two seasons, the Rams are getting ever closer to posting a positive rebounding margin. The Rams are averaging 37.1 rebounds per game and are giving up only 38.7 rebounds per game for a rebounding margin of only -1.6 rebounds per game.
• The Rams are 7-3 when leading at halftime this season. WSSU has led at halftime against UC Davis, Colorado State, Atlanta Christian, Milligan, Washington Adventist, Delaware State, MD-Eastern Shore, Coppin State, Norfolk State and North Carolina A&T. The Rams are 0-9 when trailing at the half this season. WSSU has led at halftime in six of their last nine contests.
• WSSU is 4-6 when they allow their opponents to score first in a contest. The Rams are 3-6 when they score the first points of a ballgame.
• WSSU is 6-3 when wearing their white uniforms; WSSU is 0-3 in their red uniforms and is 1-6 in their black uniforms.
• The Rams are 2-7 when they shoot 40 percent or less from the field and are 5-5 when shooting better than 40 percent from the field. WSSU is also 1-7 when allowing opponents to shoot 50 percent of better from the field with the first, and only, win when surrendering 50 percent or more from the field coming on Jan. 23 over Norfolk State.
Extensive Depth
WSSU head coach Bobby Collins has assembled an impressively deep roster of talent this season. Through 19 games Collins has seen 16 different players take the court for the Rams with 14 players appearing in multiple contests. Nine players are averaging double-digit minutes per game and five players are averaging 20 minutes per game or more.
Double Figures Not Rare
Brian Fisher (11), Paul Davis (12), Andrew Jackson (8) and Shelton Carter (8) have all scored in double-figures at least five times each this season. Only Fisher and Davis are averaging in double-digits in scoring but the Rams have seen seven players score 10 points or more in at least one game and have five players who have multiple double-digit scoring performances.
The "President"
The Rams' Andrew Jackson, nicknamed "The Pres" for his namesake that people relate to the seventh president of the United States, who coincidentally was born in the Waxhaws area near the border of North and South Carolina, is turning in nearly a 1.2:1 ratio of assists to turnovers. Jackson has recorded 53 assists and 48 turnovers this season.
Likely To Redshirt
Head Coach Bobby Collins has yet to formally announce the status of freshman forward/center Ignas Palaima and senior guard Diontae Gibson, yet all signs indicate that both players will redshirt. Palaima has dressed for only one game and will likely spend his freshman season as a redshirt. Gibson is still not fully recovered from off-season knee surgery and has not appeared in any games yet this season.
Blocked Shots Leader
WSSU junior forward/center Paul Davis has already entrenched himself as WSSU's career leaders in blocked shots. Davis turned in a single-season record 48 blocks during the 2007-08 season and followed it up with 46 blocks last season. Adding in the 26 blocks he has earned this season he now ranks first on WSSU's all-time career blocked shot list with 120 rejections. Davis' three blocks versus South Carolina State on Dec. 5, 2009 allowed him to overtake Corey Thompson and Marcus Best who previously sat atop of the Rams' career blocked shots records with 101 career blocks. Davis also ranks first in the Rams' single-game blocked shot records with seven blocks as he tallied seven rejections versus Norfolk State on Jan. 26, 2009. For his career Davis has turned in an average of 1.55 blocked shots per game.
Charge Ahead
Through 19 games this season, the Rams have taken 43 charges. 11 players have stepped in and taken a charge this season with eight players recording multiple charges taken. Andrew Jackson leads the team with seven charges taken as WSSU is taking an average of 2.31 charges per contest.
63 Years Of Tradition
The Rams have turned in an overall record of 1081-672 over the span of 63 completed seasons of men's basketball competition for a winning percentage of 61.7 percent. The Rams have turned in 49 winning seasons and have recorded only 14 losing seasons. The 2008-09 season marked the 14th losing season in WSSU history.
National Champions
Under the tutelage of legendary coach Clarence "Big House" Gaines and behind the play of Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, the Rams earned the 1967 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship. The 1967 Rams posted an overall record of 31-1 and defeated three top-10 teams in the National Championship tournament en route to the National Championship title.
The House That Gaines Built
Legendary coach Clarence "Big House" Gaines coached at Winston-Salem State University from 1946-1993 and was a fixture at WSSU until his death on April 18, 2005. Gaines coached the Rams for 48 seasons and posted an 828-447 overall record as well as leading the Rams to the 1967 National Championship. He still ranks as the fifth-winningest coach in NCAA history and ranks as the all-time winningest African American head basketball coach in NCAA history.
Pearl's Wisdom
Vernon Earl "The Pearl" Monroe rose to prominence playing basketball at Winston-Salem State University, a college career that he parlayed into a successful 13-year career in the NBA. Under the coaching of legendary Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame coach Clarence "Big House" Gaines, Monroe averaged 7.1 ppg his freshman year; 23.2 ppg as a sophomore; 29.8 ppg as a junior and 41.5 ppg his senior year en route to becoming the Rams' all-time leading scorer with 2,935 total points. In 1967, he earned NCAA College Division Player of the Year honors and led the Rams to the NCAA College Division National Championship. Hailed as the innovator of the spin move, Monroe was the 1968 NBA Rookie of the Year, was named to the 1969 All-NBA First Team, earned All-Star honors four times, won the 1973 NBA World Championship as a member of the New York Knicks, was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990 and was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. Innovator of the spin move, Monroe was the 1968 NBA Rookie of the Year, was named to the 1969 All-NBA First Team, earned All-Star honors four times, won the 1973 NBA World Championship as a member of the New York Knicks, was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990 and was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996.
