FAMU basketball to honor ten seniors and 1978 championship team against Grambling State

Saturday will be a festive day inside of the Al Lawson Center.

Florida A&M basketball will host Grambling State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) divisional crossover doubleheader. It will also be the Rattlers' penultimate home game of the season as they hold Senior Day for ten graduating players.

FAMU will also honor the 1978 men's basketball team that won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) championship under head coach Ajac Tripplett in the school's final year in NCAA Division II. The ceremony will take place at halftime of the men's game.

For men's basketball, the Rattlers (7-19, 5-10 SWAC) are trying to win their third straight game for the first time this season after going unbeaten on a trip to Alabama against Alabama State last Saturday and Alabama A&M on Monday. FAMU is three spots out from No. 8 in the SWAC, but only one game separates the Rattlers from making the jump to qualify for the conference tournament. The Grambling State Tigers (18-8, 11-3 SWAC) have won five straight games and is No. 2 in the SWAC after winning the NBA HBCU Classic last week in Salt Lake City, Utah as part of the NBA's All-Star Weekend. The Rattlers lost to the Tigers, 62-57 when they met at Grambling on Monday, Jan. 9.

Quote it: "It's extremely important (to finish out strong). I fully expect our guys to be ready to play. (The season) is winding down, so you expect nothing less and I can't wait," Rattlers head coach Robert McCullum said on the FAMU Coaches' Show.

FAMU players to watch: Guard Jordan Tillmon (11 points per game), guard Byron Smith (9.1 points per game), forward Jaylen Bates (7.5 rebounds per game)

Grambling State players to watch: Cameron Christon (13.2 points per game), guard Shawndarius Cowart (10.9 points per game), forward Carte'are Gordon (seven rebounds per game)

FAMU women's basketball has dropped five straight games. The Rattlers (5-21, 3-12 SWAC) have been plagued with injuries and has gone a monthlong stretch of only dressing seven or eight players. The team's unquestioned leader guard Dylan Horton is back from her ankle injury and is averaging 14.3 points per game since returning. Grambling State (7-18, 6-8 SWAC) is one game out of the No. 8 spot in the SWAC and has lost two straight games. The last time the Rattlers and the Tigers met was at Grambling where the Tigers narrowly won, 71-68 on Monday, Jan. 9.

Quote it: "Why would you stop playing and working hard at this point? No matter what the situation is, you have the opportunity and the privilege to be able to play at the highest level. You don't waste those opportunities because they become less and less. We have competitors and if they're on the floor, they're not going to halfway do it," FAMU head coach Shalon Pillow said.

FAMU players to watch: Guard Dylan Horton (16 points per game), guard Ahriahna Grizzle (10.5 points per game), guard Mide Oriyomi (5.3 rebounds per game)

Grambling State players to watch: Guard Colbi Maples (12.9 points per game), guard Leah Morrow (9.8 points per game), guard Miracle Saxon (6.2 rebounds per game)

MORE RATTLERNEWS COVERAGE

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Headed to NOLA:FAMU baseball absorbing active week for a chance to regroup from opening shortcomings

Dream Chasing:FAMU football quartet has chance to impress professional scouts in HBCU Legacy Bowl

FAMU basketball seniors set to be honored

Women's basketball: Forward Staysha Allen, guard Dylan Horton, guard Caylan Jones, forward Mikyah Mack, guard Mide Oriyomi, forward Paulla Weekes

Men's basketball: Forward Chase Barrs, forward Tarig Eisa, guard Noah Meren, center Legend Stamps

Florida A&M vs. Grambling State SWAC Basketball Doubleheader Game Information

When: Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at 2 p.m. (women), 4 p.m. (men) ― Eastern Time

Where: Al Lawson Multipurpose Center

How to watch: FAMU Athletics Facebook Live, Rattler Sports Network

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Basketball: Rattlers to hold Senior Day against Grambling State