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The undisputed leader in HBCU Sports and Culture.
and basketball days are here. So that means h season is officially knocking on the door. And y'all already know I'm trying to get this because it's time for another edition of Cheeks in the seats where we check attendance. And we got a little something special for y'all this time. Um, but there's one story I really want to talk about tonight and that's Mississippi Valley State coming back 24 points down to beat Prairie View. And female kicker Nina Chic played a part in that comeback. I know that Mississippi Valley State had a female kicker. Like, how cool is that? Then we're bringing live and from live for hoops into the yard. And since our season is almost here, I'm playing live on the spot. I want predictions. I want sleepers. I want players to watch and some early championship picks. But before we get started, jump into those comments. Tell me where you're watching from and what you're representing. Let's get into it. Let's see. Let me pull up the chat so I can see the chat. And my dog is barking because we ordered Door Dash. And Door Dash must be here. All right, let's jump into it. All right, so we're going to get started with football as usual cuz October football is a little bit different. We're picking the conference play now. So these games aren't just about your like overall record anymore. We're starting to figure out who's really a contender, who's playing spoiler, and who's about to make November very interesting. November is going to be very interesting, especially after last week. Like, I don't know if you ke last week, but it was a little insane. Game of the week. I'm sure you heard Mississippi Valley State Greek R&M
last year swag champions. Let's see. 28 to 27. And I don't know where to start. Let's let's okay went up 24-0 against Mississippi Valley State 24 to nothing and M say like okay we're not done Mississippi Valley State scored 28 points in the game's final 31 points to win 28-27 and earn his first swag victory of the season quarterback Josh Brown had himself a day he threw 444 yards and a touchdown then he rushed for another 101 yards and three touchdowns and accounted for all four of valley's touchdowns like my boy was working. Okay, he said I'm leaving here or something. Mrs. Bal State went from trailing 24 and0 to 24 21 before prairie kicked a field goal to make it 2721 two minutes 11 seconds left. Josh Brown connected with Caleb Brown though for a 35 yard touchdown. Luga sorry converted the final point after touch down 28 27 ball game like that's the kind of win that can change the energy around aire program but it's crazy cuz like can you build on that for like I'm going to see what y'all doing in the rest of weeks. Um I'm about to pull up their the rest of their game. Thank you.
How'd it taste? Good. Y'all know the executive producer got to check in at least once a show. Let's see. Let me pull that game up. Mississippi Valley State, where are you?
Here we go. Let's see the rest of their They got Texas Southern, Bthun, Cookman, All Corn State, Jackson State. you going to lose that one. Florida&M, you might win that one. And Alabama&M. So, they got a pretty mixed schedule here coming up over the next couple of weeks. So, hopefully they can capitalize on it. I'm looking forward to see what Mississippi Valley State does. Are these mine? I don't know. Oh, okay. Thank you.
Oh, you just eat all my food. So, what's the bigger story? Mississippi Valley State 24 point comeback or prayer you giving a 24-point lead. So jump in those comments cuz I already know y'all playing with coaching staff. So go ahead, let me know what y'all think. They thought it was over. Yes, Delta Devils.
That dang on soda good. Good God almighty. McDonald's is going to always hit for me. Okay, it's not an endorsement. We're not sponsored by McDonald's in any kind of way, but it's one of my favorites. So, across the HB.CU scoreboard, let's move around the rest. Okay, let's see what everybody else did. The swag meak the CIAA and the SIC H.B.CU outside of their four, you know, tradition conferences. So, we had Grand State Alorn, Jackson State, Alabama in the Gold Coast challenge. We saw Harder in the Battle of the Ro HU. We saw Bon Cookman Alabama. And um at this point season, I'm more interested or less interested really and like who won. I want to know what the win tells us. I've been really into like analyzing the games and really watching the coaches, watching the plays. Like I want to see what folks are really up to. Like cuz it's I mean at the end of the day it's more than just win games. Like I want to see what the strategy is. I want to see what the plot is. Like I want to see what you got going on. Let me pull up some scores. See how we did.
Howard won the real HU um battle against Hampton 2713. Um let me roll up. Morgan State um beat Villanova 38 to35. John C. Smith still on a roll 51 to zero against Bluefield State. Shaw went down. Oh, I was so upset. Oh my god, I was so upset that they lost the buoy 34 to29. Coach Medico, I'm not coming off my soap box. Okay, I believe in you. I believe in you. Okay, Virginia Union beat up on is
why I can't get that out? Am I having a stroke? Elizabeth City State 20-7. Virginia State is still on a roll 42-32 against Lincoln, PA. Fville State beat up on Livingstone 2820. So that's what we have rolling around the CIAA. Let's move along. Central State beat Fort Valley State 4532. Let's see. I'm not going to read them all. South Carolina lost to the Citadel. South Carolina State, excuse me. South Carolina State lost to the Citadel. I was not expecting that. Like I was completely expecting him to go completely undefeated like enemy. I I just whatever. Uh let's see who else. Benedict beat Clark at Atlanta 31 to3. Edward Waters showed they tail 61 to 42 against Kentucky State. Let's see. Garland State lost or excuse me won against Alorn 6359. Who else sticks out to me? D. Delaware State lost to uh University of Albany 28-3. My Jackson State is still undefeated. I think they're the only undefeated HB.CU team right now, 31-28 against Alabama&M. But Cookman was 16-10 against Alabama State. North Carolina ANT lost again this week to Bryant. North Carolina Central lost to Campbell, another North Carolina school. Savannah State beat up on Allen 38-26. And Tuskegee fell to Morehouse 3228. So that is our round the horn here of all of our schools.
Virginia Union beat up Issa Ray. Oh lord. 60 piece. Yeah, that it was it was tight out there. Jackson State is indeed the only undefeated HB.CU program. I am aware, very aware of that. Um, speaking of Jackson State, I will be in Jackson State next week for homecoming. Here are my nails. Tell me what you think about my homecoming nails celebrating my Tigers. So, I had to cut them down. They were getting a little long. Okay, if y'all remember the last couple of weeks, they were a little long, but this is what they look like now.
Oh, that's definitely a thing. I think that's definitely a thing. Do y'all do homecoming nails or like, you know, other homecoming type stuff? Like I got like I went shopping. I got some new shoes for homecoming. I got to wear them this week because I got to break them in. I can't be out in Jackson with the sore feet. That's not going to happen. And I'll be in Jackson all week. So, if you are in Jackson, hit me up, okay? Find me in the DMs. Let me know where you are. I'm trying to tailgate. So, if you tailgating for Jackson State Homecoming, I'm trying to be there. Okay? Hit me up in the DMs cuz I need some fish. What else? I need some ribs and whatever else. Show me a good time, Jackson. Okay. I'll be there all week. Next week, hit me up. Find me. I think next week's show will be done on campus. We're going to figure that out, the logistics of that next week. And yeah, so I'm ready for homecoming. And then I normally only get my nails done once a month. Well, then again, I should have enough time before Winston Salem State's homecoming to do something um special for Winston Salem State homecom. I got to change your nails. Like I can't go to Winston Salem State with blue tiger nails. So, thanks for getting that out of the way. Speaking of homecomings, I'mma jump up in the middle of this and I know everyone's been watching um A Different World and celebrating Hillman and all the things, but I want to shout out one of my favorite shows, Beyond the Gates. Beyond the Gates has a fictional H.B.CU called Banaker University. Um is located in the DMV area where the show is, you know, fictitiously located. And um one thing I really like about Beyond the Gates is they really dig deep into black culture. Um a couple of the the people on the show went to H.B.CU. Ted went to Tougloo and then we have um Nicole went to Tuskegee. So like they're they are deep in the H.B.CU world on that show. And I wanted to you know like I said mostly black cast like I said located in the DMV area. So, Beyond the Gates comes on CBS, I believe it is. Um, and like I said, it's one of my favorite shows. I watch it every day. I try to get my walk in while I'm watching it. And I've been meaning to shout it out. But while we're talking about A Different World, I also want to highlight um Beyond the Gates because it's a really really good show. I'm blocked in. Okay. I've been watching it since it started. And it's really cool to have like a a black themed soap opera and they talk about different things. Um, one of the episodes when one of the sons was trying to decide to go to UCLA or Banaker, like Nicole gave him a really good kind of speech and lecture about the importance of H.B.CU. So, they really take their time. Um, I know they got some H.B.CU folks on staff over there. So, want to shout them out really quick before I jump back into uh my here. What's up, women in the dark? This is good. Sorry. I think it's making my throat drier though. I don't know what it is. They got like crack in his drinking. Football game Saturday is the queens are completing all week. So, let's check around the women of HU athletics. First, we got state volleyball. I almost said football. Com. And we might want to check because they're out here collecting wins. comp South Carolina State 3 and0 on Friday and then beat North Carolina Central 3 to one on Sunday. And that's why we pay attention to women programs throughout the season. Um if you go back and watch the other shows which is if you miss any um go back through and watch and we try to go right down on the women's specific sports and well not a women specific sports but you know mostly you know most of the schools have a women's volleyball program but we don't wait until championship time and suddenly discover like somebody's been killing it for two months. Moving along, SWAT soccer conference play is also beginning to shape up at SWAT women's soccer. Speaking of soccer, um I will still be in Jackson next week um that following weekend after homecoming because Jackson has a soccer game and Tulu has a soccer game. If you didn't know, Tulu is also there in Jackson. Um I know we don't talk about them a lot. They don't have a football team, but I will have the pleasure of hanging out with HBCU. We're doing a match day there. So, make sure you check us out if you are on the campus of either Jackson State or Tul College. Um, I will be there again in the DMs. Find me. I'll be around. Yeah, I'll be around all week. So, spend my time and enjoy my week in Jackson before I head back to the beautiful North Carolina. But, um, I'm really excited for so many reasons. Oh my god, I can't wait. Um, I used live in Mississippi. I was stationed in Mississippi when I was in the Air Force. So it'll be really nice to go back to the zip and you know how it's changed and how it's different and really sport the city of Jackson. So back to the soccer my as of this Texas Southern is 2 and0 in play while state is one and riding a three match overall winning streak. Corn State and Grand State are both unbeating in conference play with two draw a piece and to get real interesting because now every conference result starts affecting that postseason picture. So don't wait until tournament time to learn these women name. Okay, we tried our best to talk through and tell you who it is. Um have you know making plays doing out on the pitch for soccer you know we're really soccer here. I got my HCU UFC what Jersey on tonight in celebration of where guest is an alumni for alumni from um let's see chat time what women's HBU sport do you want more on the art how can we jump into more what do you want to know more of so hit me in the chat let me know what you want more women's sports I know we got quite a few ladies that watch your show. Um, let's see. One second. I can't multitask and I got to make sure Liv gets in here. So, my mento reward. Okay, we almost run it down. All right. Again, hit that chat. What HBU HBU sport you want to see more coverage on on the show? Who do you want to see on the show? Soccer, volleyball, basketball. we gonna have some basketball happening here in a couple of weeks, softball, track, because I want to make sure that we're following these women all season long, not when just something goes viral. So, speaking of viral things, one thing that I learned this week was something very interesting about Mrs. Valley. I want to go back to that game because this is another story inside that 24 comeback and her name is Nina Shakes. Dur Valley comeback. She successfully converted all three point after the touchdown attempts following Josh Brown's three rushing touchdowns. Nine yard touchdown, Nina got it. 13 yard touchdown, Nina got it. 61 yard touchdown, Nina got it. Three opportunities and she cleared every single one. So that mean that's huge. like we already don't see a lot of women in male center sports like I can't think of any other stories I've heard so far and I'm going to do a deep dive this week to see if there are other women players that play you know football but I thought that was so dope like she played college football representation matters there's a little girl seeing a woman suited up for a HBU team and that tell her like I can go do that too like and it doesn't like, "Oh, there's a girl on the football team." She contributed because remember that they came back from being down 24 points and every time she scored or every time they scored, she got the point after three touchdowns. So, it's like they only lost. I mean, they only won by one point. So, that was three points that she made by say by herself because she's part team, but like they called her number and she did her job. So, shout out to you, Mina. And like I just I've seen it happen like a couple ways online. First like she made the first three point after the kicks during the comeback. Um after Mississippi Valley State's final touchdown brought the score up to 27 26. Lucas Sara k the fourth quarter after the touchdown which ultimately gave them the lead. But she didn't score the final kick but she got the three earlier kick. I think that it still matters. Like the the points are cumulative. Like everybody who who scores, you know, they all make a difference. So the only people that scored that night is the one quarterback Josh Brown and then Nina and then Luca like they were the only people to score the whole game and they won the game. So what women traditionally inner males like sometimes we spend so much time thinking, oh they're a woman and we forgot to talk about they can point like she in my head she won a game. Okay. Like she had the job and she did her job. Soina,
I might get you on the show. Okay. So question for chat. Now that we have talked about, how do we celebrate breaking barriers in traditionally male sports without making the gender their only story? Let me go back to the chat. I'm going back to the chat. Told y'all I can't multitask.
Edward Waters kicker is a woman. I didn't know that she started at Jackson State. Oh my god.
Jackson State, you just make me so proud, child. You just make me so proud. You just make me so proud. All right, chase the seat check. Y'all know what time it is. We can argue about the R. We can talk about who's overrated. We can talk about who won the halftime order. But did y'all go did y'all get chased at the seats? So, we at these numbers in context matters. So, I want I took some extra time this week to see not only how many people attended the game, but what percentage of the stadium was filled, right? Cuz it's one thing to say, oh, 23,000 people came to the game, but how big is the capacity of the stadium? So, one that really stuck out to me was that Delaware State Albany. Um, they 100%. They they it was I think it's 8,500. Yeah, 8,500 and they filled up. It was homecoming. But those people showed up. They sold out. Like, I want to see that. Miles versus Lane 91% almost 92%. Like, that's that's that's great. That's exactly what Chason Cece is to me. Um, Arkansas Pond Blood versus Southern 85%. Graham estate versus alcorn 84%. So it is it's a little bit bigger than I mean obviously cheeks and the seas but that brings revenue to the school that brings revenue to concessions to the vendors that are there. Like all those numbers matter especially when we have these conversations about how these schools are underfunded. Um we got you know schools suing their state because they're not getting the allocated money that they're supposed to be getting. So like cheeks and deceits matters. That matters. And then when you talk about stadium renewals and stadium efficiency, um you when you like, you know, some stadiums aren't necessarily the greatest. And when you go to different sponsors or you go back to the city or the owners of the stadium and say, "Hey, we want to make improvements." They're going to ask, "How many people are coming to these games before we invest this money into it?" Right? And then everybody loves their nail, everybody loves their their gear and their good. Like I'm going to tell you what, if something happened to those turkey legs at Winston Salem State, y'all going to hear from me. But I can't imagine that they won't they'll, you know, could keep thinking that this is a valuable investment if people aren't coming to the games. And that's why I'm so big on chicks and the seas cuz we need to be at these games. We need to be at the games to support the economy of the school and the surrounding impacts. And then the students like, who wants to go play to an empty stadium? I know I wouldn't. I know I wouldn't I don't I'm not gonna say how I don't care how much scholarship money y'all giving me. But if I got to go to pissed off I'm gonna be pissed off. That's for sure.
Let's see. while I'm still ranting.
I'm just Oh, there we go. Okay. I thought I did something wrong. [laughter] Sorry, you guys. I thought I was technical difficulty. [laughter] Steve jumped in. What's up, Steve?
Oh. Oh, very interesting. Steve is a figment of you all's imagination.
That is so funny. But yeah, back to chasing the seat. It's like that stuff is important.
Um, all right. Chat question. What number makes you say, you know what? Let me go back. Let me update the chat because I did I I like that about the the the game. I mean the that podcast last week because I tried to remember to put all the chat questions in the chat. So if you're not watching live, you can actually answer in the chat. So let me go back and fill in all the chat messages and all of my stuff says chat question. Okay. She be having her not y'all know y'all be seeing me reading my notes. I be prepared, y'all. I don't be talking out of my ass. I be prepared. I be doing some work.
Let me catch up the chat questions.
Boom. Where are we watching from? All right, one more.
Copy.
All right, I updated all the chat questions. Make sure you jump in the chat. Make sure you respond. In the meantime, make sure you're following HB.CU Game Day. You're following Tendon 2 on all the platforms. We are everywhere. Okay. Make sure you're watching us. Okay. Okay. Okay. All right. We didn't gone through football. We gone through soccer. Volleyball. Chiefs and basketball has entered the chat. Okay. Meanwhile, football basketball walking the room. Like y'all gota run for me. Uh if you are familiar basketball media season is here. We have the swag hold is 2026 women's basketball media day Tuesday in Birmingham. All 12 head coaches were scheduled to attend along with two student athletes from every program and it streamed on Swag TV. So make sure you go back to um they have you know Swag TV. Make sure you go back and watch it. And this is kind of where I start paying attention to what the coaches are saying, what they're looking at for the rest of the year. Who's talking about experience? Who's rebuilding? And I like to know what the majors are. The student is like the student athletes. Who the transfer port
outside for what? It's 7:30 at night. In the dark. You go play in the dark. No, you're not. We're not
these kids. Y'all know executive producer doing the B. Okay. All right. We got a guest. We got a Hey. Hey. How are you? I'm good. How are you? I'm amazing. I'm amazing. So you guys know I promised y'all someone I ain't gonna say every episode because I've been trying. Okay, I've been trying but really like fine tuning who we bring in because I really want to be important and um Liv is someone who is huge like she's the go source in my opinion for HCU women's basketball. So I had to bring in somebody who knows cuz I just be watching. Okay. But she lives and reads basketball. She covers the game through her platform live for hoops live. Yeah, live for hoops and women's basketball season right around the corner. It might be great to bring her to the and make her give us some predictions. So, everybody [laughter] show some love for Liv.
Thank you. Thank you. All right.
introduce [laughter]
yourself to everybody like who is live for and how could this journey start for you? Yeah. So, I mean Live for Hoops is essentially me, but I've been playing basketball my whole entire life. Like literally started playing in the first grade and I just fell in love with the game and kept playing. Played through high school, played through college. Um, and I've always just been a student of the game. So there's people who play, but I was always just a student. I wanted to always absorb like as much information as possible. I'm a true fan. Like I watch basketball all the time. So um that's just what it turned into. And then one day a couple years ago, the Swack Media Day was on and I was like scrolling Twitter and obviously we know like everyone loves H.B.CU basketball, but I didn't see many people talking about H.B.CU U basketball and I played I played at FAMU. I graduated from FAMU and I was like, I'm just gonna start talking about what I'm seeing at SWAC Media Day. And then from there it just kind of stuck and I just started talking about all things Swack and MAK my first year. And then the next year I got drawn into the CIAA. And it just kept growing from there of me kind of turning into the person that wanted to highlight and promote and discuss our players, our schools, our coaches, try and bring as much awareness to our teams because the talent's there, the amazing coaches are there. And so from that first year, it just kind of like took off. So that's just what it was. Nice. What's your experience [applause] like?
Thank you. What has your experience been like as a woman establishing yourself in basketball media? I mean, it's been I think there's two sides of the coin. I think I've I've been personally shown a lot of love, a lot of respect. Um because like I know I'm very knowledgeable. I have a high basketball IQ. But then there's the other side where people are just constantly questioning me being like, "You don't really know what you're talking about." Um different things like that. And I'm always like, it's always coming from the same type of people. Um trying to say, "I don't know what I'm talking about." And I usually just laugh. No, sorry. Turn it back on. Um, it's not right. And I know y'all know better than that. Please stop. Um, so I I really genuinely feel like in this space I've been shown a lot of genuine love, a lot of support, a lot of respect. And so I feel like I've been very blessed in that aspect of just being like kind of poured into. And but there always a few a few little ones back there. But I just kind of what I've done for myself is I just said I'm going to stay true to myself. I'm going to do what feels right for me and I'm not going to try and fit into someone else's vision of what I should be and just be authentically me. Say what I mean. Um and just not let anyone sway, not let any opinion sway. Just like that's where it's worked for me. just being true to myself and knowing that like I genuinely love this game and I have a genuine love for H.B.CU's and especially when it comes to H.B.C.U basketball. Nice. I know. I definitely appreciate it. Especially once you get in talk like sometimes that stuff light fast and then you even jumped into some like live media stuff last year with HBCU. Tell me about that experience. Yeah, it was both great. I'm so thankful to both of them of HB.CU Game Day and HB.CU GO for giving me the opportunities and the platforms to um widen the view of who I can reach and talking about basketball. And so with HB.CU Game Day um I was on a show with Tally um and Wilton Reports. We were doing that throughout the year just talking about basketball, highlighting different things. And then HB.CU go I was able to um do the in between show of the women and the men and come up with different segments to highlight a variety of different things whether it was scores or duos or teams that were standing out and just bring that more bring more knowledge to the masses of what was actually happening beyond just the uh the records of these teams. Nice. I know. I enjoyed seeing you and yeah, your fits was crazy. Everything was cute. Like, I love it. I love your representation of women in sports media. So, I'm excited to see what the next year brings for you in that space. So, down to the nitty-gritty. Let's hit the hard woods. Okay, we going to talk through some forecast. Give me your overall forecast now that the media days are are coming along. Like, what is 2026 27 um HB.CU women's basketball look like? What are you expecting this year? I just feel like every single year it just keeps getting better and better and better. And I will say back in my day like really good teams existed. This was like the my era was when like Hampton was completely dominant. Um their women's basketball team obviously we've seen North Carolina ENT be completely dominant, Norfolk State, Jackson State. And so it's growing because I think that more players are becoming aware of H.B.CU. Like with the access to all these different social media platforms, there's a greater interest of people wanting to be a part of the culture, especially with that last year we're seeing like people are like, I want to play with my people the last year. Like I'm trying to be at a H.B.C.U. my last year. And so they're taking their talents there and I just love to see that. And so we've also been able to, you know, there's been so so so many great coaches, but even new coaches who have came into the league recently have really shown what they're capable of and getting those out of conference wins and getting to the national tournaments and doing all those things. And so every year I just feel like the coaches, the teams, the players, the athletic directors just find ways to continue building off the hype. Um, and bringing in talent that's going to continue to bring more and more eyes onto H.B.CU's. Nice. So, let's start with the swag. Like, who impressed you on paper this off season? So, number one, I would probably say Alabama State with coach Jonetta Hayes. Um, last year was her first year coming back to the swack and she took Alabama State from the bottom, finishing in the top four in her first year and I think she did a phenomenal job in the off season recruiting really good pieces that are going to elevate their program even more. Um, I think Florida&M, Coach Gordon did a great great job at getting some key pieces. And then Alabama&M, they did a really good job. they have like three or four power four players that came and are going to be Bulldogs. I really feel like across the board we've seen uh like I would say six teams that I think personally really dominated the recruiting um cycle this past summer and brought in players who are going to continue to elevate. For sure those two those three. Um and then coach Simmons from Gramling um at Swack Media Day dropped a bra bomb that Princess Anderson who led the American last season um in points per game is transferring to Gramling for this season. So she has like a true hooper. Um and for those of you who don't know, she played at Charlotte, so under Tama Reed last season. Um she led the conference only stats with scoring at 17.2. And so coaches are just finding ways to really lean on building relationships, having those conversations, doing what they can within their NIL budgets to bring players to the swag. Nice. Who's your early swag favorite? Oh my gosh. I know you just got three. I know you just said like three that you were excited about, but who's your favorite? Who Who you think this right now? I really am just going to lean on and put respect on the team who just pulled off a backtoback and that's Southern. Um they have two really really good returners coming back. One being Joselyn Tate who was preseason defensive player of the year and then Demiah Porter who was preseason all swack first team. Um, I'm going to give coach Funches the respect that he should get because they did pull off the backtoback, did pull off back-to-back NCAA tournament wins. And so, I think when you have built a culture that has shown they know how to win, um, he just makes it happen with whoever's on his roster because you're gonna either get in where you fit in or you're gonna be gone. And so, I think they'll have another really good season. But I genuinely feel like it's going to be an extremely competitive season again where we see those upsets in the SWAT tournament and all the goodness that March brings. Lord have mercy. Who is your swag sleeper? Who aren't people talking enough about? So, I feel like before SWAC media day, no one was really talking about UAPB, but then once India Bowen was announced SWAC preseason player of the year, then everyone kind of turned their attention. Um, but even before that, she has nine returners this season, which is that's okay. I'm sorry. He she has nine returners this season, which is like very unheard of across all of college basketball, especially mid major. And what Coach Leak did in her first two years at UAPB, you know, the first year was kind of rough and then the second year they catapulted to um that second tier of SWAC teams. And so I really think this year she's going to have a team that's going to compete for a regular season title and be one of those swack top teams that people are going to be put on notice about. Nice. So let's move along to the MAK. Who do you think sets the standard for in the MAK this year? You know, that's a that's a I'm that's a good question. I'm really gonna go with Howard because of just what coach Ty Grace is. When we're looking at current H.B.CU coaches, she literally is she is so amazing. She's so great. The the fact that she's been able to have programs that sit a top of the MAK almost every single year. Um she really knows what she's doing. I respect her so much. And so, you know, I'm going to say right now it's Howard and until with the shifting of coaches in the MAK until someone knocks her off with all coaches switching schools and new coaches entering the conference, you know, she is the top dog until someone wants to take that spot. I know that's I I was really got into Howard women's basketball last year and I definitely agree with you on that. All right, moving along to division two. Like who who in the CIAA? I mean, obviously, we know Winston Salem State did their thing in the CIAA last year. Cheeks in [snorts] the seats. Get that out of here. Tell [clears throat] me about the CIAA. Who do you think's What do you think's happening over in the CIAA this year? You know, I recently made a video and I said that the championship's going to run through Winston Salem State again. Um, you know, when you look at what they did last year and how dominant they were and how deep they got into the NCA Division 2 National Championship, mind you, if you watch that last game, I won't retraumatize the Rams, but that but that last [laughter] but that last game was absolutely insane. Um, and the fact that they have eight returners from a championship team, I think that's what sets them apart. Having eight people who were a part of that process, who knew what it t took to get to that level and them only having to bring in, you know, specific key pieces to replace what they lost is so key to the success that they're going to have this year. But, you know, and I I will say I'm never gonna write off Fagetville State because they did pull off the backtoback. They did get the Rams once last year. Um, so that and that rivalry right there, I just love it. Like I love how they blew them out, then the Rams blew them out, and it was just like those games were so intense. Um, so I'm never going to look past Coach Brown and the fact that they pulled off the backtoback. They are an extremely competitive program. They also went to the NCA D2 National Tournament only losing by three points. And so just showing how competitive this CIAA is. Um I think there's like there was six teams last year who finished above 500 and five teams that only had singledigit loss losses for the women. And so, you know, the competition is there and I think now everyone is going to continue to chase those two and are trying to build rosters that can that can best them because for two seasons before it was Fatville State show. They were dominating everyone and then here came Winston, they were dominating everyone. They were the two teams in the conference to average wins by double digit points. They were like less than a point off of each other. And so, you know, those two are just they they're setting the standard, but there's teams that are right behind them that are going to be on their tails just being like, you know what, we don't care what you did last year, the year before, the year before that, cuz we're going to get you this year, right? Who believes that? Because if you believe that, I These are not those audios are not my stances, y'all. Not mine either. We got a rogue producer here. All
right, so let's switch over to the SIC. How do you think they're going to fair this this year? Who do you think's coming out on top? You know, I'm going to believe in Edward Waters. If you saw the season they had last year and you know it ended, it was a disappointment end to their season, how they dropped the ball in that first round of the SIA tournament and like literally everyone was flabbergasted. And then when they got the atlarge bid to the NCA uh division 2 national tournament, which you know with the SIAC, we don't see we that's not been a trend in the CIAA that has been. And there's been two to three teams every single year who go. And so I think last year was such an amazing season for them and that they were very much let down that they're going to come back even harder this year and ready to build off of the success they had last season. Oh, we had a question in the chat for you. Let me go to the chat. Liv, do you think the CIAA playing each other twice is good or bad for the teams? Um, you know, I personally don't like it because I believe that the games, [clears throat] the outofconference games weigh a lot in the eyes of the voters and the people who make the decisions of seating and um who gets at large bids. So, I think it's taking away opportunities for our teams to get those out of conference wins. So, for example, teams like Winston Salem State University and Fateville State, they play a very competitive OC. And so, when we're taking those opportunities away because they want everyone to play each other twice, um I think it's just going to the records are going to mean less in the eyes of the voters. Now, does it mean less to us as like H.B.CU uh fans? Maybe, maybe not. But in the eyes of the voters, that can hold less weight when you're beating a team who only has two wins on the season. Like, so I'm not necessarily a fan of that. I see what they're trying to do because I believe the SIA made the same decision last year. Um, it just means you have to like teams can't afford to slip up. Um, especially if they, you know, you don't win the CIAA tournament and you need that at large bid. Even more so when you're playing less out of conference games, you can't slip up in conference to like a a lower ranking team. Mhm. So, switching away from like individual teams and conferences, what are some things that HBUs are doing well when it comes to the marketing of women's basketball or are they doing it well at all? [laughter] What do you It don't look like they're doing it well at all. What do you think? Tell me about that. Like, but don't have to take my word for it.
So, I think, you know, the conferences as a whole, certain ones have improved. Um, the attention they've been focusing on women's basketball. I think that it can always be better because if we're not highlighting our teams, I think we're making it easier for um for the voters, for other media to ignore us. And I know people want to believe that, you know, we shouldn't care about the other voters, the other like the for division one, for example, the mid- major top 25. And I'm like, but we should because many teams have aspirations of making it to the NCAA national tournament. And so if we're not promoting our key wins, if we're not doing like, hey, so at one time last year, there was like five division twos ranked in the top 25 across the CIAA and the SIA. that should have been posted everywhere by I think our our school marketing does a good job of that some of them but the conferences should be promoting that as well like hey we have three teams in the top 25 for women like why are you not tuned in making videos doing that to really bring more awareness because if people aren't checking those all the time they're not going to know um [clears throat] so I think those are small and like to me that's low hanging hanging fruit. Like these are very small things that we need to do or when our coaches are put up for national awards, the conferences should be highlighting that like, hey, we have one of the best in all of college basketball. Um, so again, I think they've done slowly but surely it's gotten better. Um, but to me, I'm like, let's pick it up because in my eyes, the women have for sure been running the show the past few years. Um, has there been men men's teams that have been successful? Of course there has. But when you look at just like for division one for example, the amount of outofconference games that the women win compared to the men and I know people are going to be like it's it's the different level, but last year Southern beat two P4 teams. I remember when Coppin at home two years ago beat Arizona State. Um, at one point Gramling hosted Arizona State and beat them on their home floor. And so the women are really making waves. And I just want conferences to be more intentional at ensuring that we're sharing those moments in real time when we're letting like 24 hours past, 48 hours past, 72 hours pass, and we're not acknowledging what's going on. I just feel like it's a missed opportunity to highlight and bring more eyes onto what's happening. I I agree with you there. Uh if I know for a lot of last season if it wasn't for me following you then I would have missed so much stuff like like thank God for you because [laughter] you like I said from the beginning you were my number one source in women's basketball and I'll be honest like outside of like CIAA basketball I didn't pay that much attention but it was like the the work and the effort that you put in to you know cover a lot of you know all of the the conferences and the work like I said that you put in to make sure that we knew the scores, we knew the players, we knew the coaches. So, like I got to big up you on that because you're right, a lot of the conferences don't do that kind of stuff. Like no one's putting in the work in women's basketball like you are. So, thank you. I really appreciate a So, kind of speaking of some of the other news, like could NIL and the transfer portal eventually help HB.CU women's basketball close some of the exposure gap or do you think it makes that resource gap bigger? I think it depends because every school is different and different schools have different NIL budgets allocated to their women's basketball and what that looks like. Um I think what we're seeing and it's so different on the men's side. What we're seeing though is just the shift of in general players at different schools who want to come and like get that opportunity to essentially like make a name for themselves or they want to go and I think the biggest shift is they want to play for like black players are want to play for black coaches who are a part of the black culture. Like that's where I've seen. I think NIL can always cause issues, but it's like we're there's certain schools that have budgets that are just so far up there that they can offer players so much money that it's like, oh, okay, what else can we offer? Right? you we have to be more creative especially when you know in certain situations and this is not at all all of them a lot of people do pour into football and like I'm perfectly wherever people want to put their NIL money their money in general go for it because I donate my money straight to basketball like I'm like I'm gonna give my money to the sport I love um that always can shift it but I think when coaches are being creative and just like hey this is what we can offer for you. These are also, you know, because eventually the ball stops dribbling. Um, our HB.CU have so many networks and connections of finding out like, okay, this is your major. Here are people that I can connect you to. So, I think NIL is always tricky. Um, just because you never know what else what other schools are offering them. But I think that the what I've seen coaches do of going in and shopping other mid- majors, getting those P4 players who are maybe not getting the minutes that they want to come to H.B.CU has really been beneficial. And um I don't know every school's budget, but I think that we make do with what we have. And we're seeing that when we're getting, you know, six plus out of conference wins um every year now like that. this is becoming like it's not shocking to me when I see our teams competing especially against other mid majors. Um so I think it can be either or. Um because not all kids are chasing money too and I think that's like a confusion for a lot of people is some people genuinely just want to play. Is money a motive for a lot? Yes. But most of the time people want to I mean for me people want to be on the floor like I always want to be on the floor. like I'm not trying to go somewhere and sit on the bench. I want to play. And so I think it's different per player, but I think it can and it can and I such a tricky it's such a tricky um topic because how much money also our I have different opinions about how then like I'm like we need like there needs to be some type of um what's the word I'm looking for? like how are you holding up your end of the bargain? If we're paying you 80,000 $80,000, why are you only averaging two points per game? So, we're paying you that much. And of course, I believe in paying players, you know, whatever. Get your money. But like I think there needs to be like steps in there, some different requirements so that like everyone's getting out of it what they believe, you know, they want if that makes sense. The return. No. Yeah. definitely get a good return on investment [clears throat] because then that promotes, you know, more NIL conversations with other players like if I'm putting money into this one player and she's not doing it, I'm not going to keep doing it for these players or you know the the you know program as a whole. So you definitely I definitely agree that there should be some checks and balances and even um like even on the coaching side like it's still your responsibility as a coach now to make sure that players getting the time that they need but at on the same time you got to be worth the time that you're getting. So I'm definitely with you on that. And I have also heard of other like major programs introducing NDA. So they can't discuss the amount they get from NIL's um just so like their businesses. Okay, give me a second. It's okay. Um introducing NDAs uh to like have that privacy so players aren't like conversing about like oh like how much are you making? How much are you making? So Oh, gotcha. Getting them ready for corporate work I suppos. Yes. Yes. So, that's like a different avenue. Um, I'm interested just to see how everything that's going on in college athletics right now with the climate and the decisions and the different policies they're trying to put in place. I'm interested to see how that continues to develop or take steps back or go forward because it's a lot of um obviously courtroom fights that have been happening over the past few years. Definitely. All right, we're going for the lightning round. Okay, give me the first answer that comes to your head there. You don't have to explain why. You don't have to none of that. This is just lightning. So, we going to start at the top. Swacker me at Oh my gosh. That's You started I [laughter] You started off so spicy.
I'm sorry. I have to say both. I have and I'm going to explain this one and then next I'll do lightning round. I have so much respect for the MAK because when I was at FAMU we were in the MAK and so now I have so much respect for both conferences. Um okay and I think they play different basketball. You Wow, that first one is this how these questions are about to be? Cuz [laughter] I think that might be one of the harder ones. That might be one of the harder ones. Well, I would definitely say I have a different love for the MAK because that is the conference that I played in and I just like I've known all those teams, but I definitely I love the Swack. I love the Swack a lot. I think that's fair. I'm not going to ask the I'm not Well, I am going to ask since you don't have like personal investments. CIA or SI SA? I'm definitely That's an easier one for me. I'm going to say the CIA. Okay, I will. [applause]
Best basketball HB.CU basketball atmosphere. Oo, I got some blood out. That's okay. I'm going to help you in a second. Um, I would actually say, and I haven't been to every single atmosphere, so some of it isn't fair. Um, I would say at one of the top ones just based on what I've seen, and I gotta get there, I've been saying that is Winston Salem State when they're winning, right? Their women's teams, [applause] Stephen, their women's games last year were bumping like just and my friends who were at games that are a part of media were like live no this is crazy in here. It is insane. Yes. I'm like and everyone's like you got to come. I'm like I'm scared I'm not even going to get in. The games be sold out. Like that's a real problem. Um, and another one is because their gym is so tiny and so small, um, is Bthoon Cookman. Um, you know, just because it takes all of 20 people to fill the stands, but for the rivalry that I had against them, our games were always like the band was when I was there, the band would be on the stage, the cheerleaders are on like basically on the court, the stands were packed. And so when I was there, I can't speak for how it is now, but when I was there, the environment was absolutely it was crazy. Okay. One H.B.CU women's team that everyone needs to watch this season. Oo, only one. Only one. You know, I'm gonna go off and I'm gonna say this is gonna sound like I just loved them so much, but um based off of just the success they had last year and just, you know, how good they were defensively, I'm going to say Winston Salem State University because if people didn't watch them last year, I truly think they missed out on a really well coached team. I agree.
one breakout player for the season.
That's [snorts] a good one. There's so so many good players that I've seen transfer in. Um and players who are returning. I would probably Oh, that's a hard one. I won't lie. That's like so hard to just pick one. I would say um ooh I'm actually going to go she had a good season last year but I think it's she's going to have an even bigger season this year and that's Zoe Stewart from uh Howard University. I think with the departure of their post players, she's going to step into even bigger role, but there's really good players across all four um conferences, but she's one that's just coming to the front of my head right now that I think is going to have a really, really good breakout season. Okay. Transfer portal, blessing or a headache? Oh, both. [laughter] Um, both. I would say, you know, I believe in the saying it gives and it takes. It takes away what you don't need and it it can give you a a a diamond in the rough. So definitely both. But I would say h cuz sometimes you can get headaches out of there. I would say a blessing cuz you know it is what it is and we got to get with the times. Buster beat her 20 point comeback. Oo that's a good one. Does a 20 point the 20 point comeback is a win? I would think both of them are wins. You know, I'm gonna go Buzzer Beater. 20 point comeback is really nice, but Buzzer Beers is just like then the fans run on the floor and it's crazy. Yes. [laughter] Best basketball movie ever.
I don't want rocks. Kids always want to be up in your space when you're like the one time like Excuse me. Go down there. Um, I would my best basketball movie of all time is probably Coach Carter and Hot Take. Hot take loving basketball. Okay. No, not No. Definitely Coach Carter for me. Yes. For me, it's Sunset Park. Yes. Sunset Park. I love that movie so much. Oh my gosh. I love that movie so much. That is a good one, too. Good. But I think Sunset Park was better. All right. Courtside seat or press row seat?
Oh, well, it depends because if I'm at the CIAA, they put you, you know, up on the stage on the tables. Yeah. Um, and that wasn't shade. I love the CIAA, so please don't take it that way. Um, I would say I like the table, though. I'll just say courtside seats. I agree. If I'm courtside, I'm not working. I could enjoy the [laughter] game, right? Just enjoy the game in the moment. All right. And finally, uh, way too early, but which HB.CU women's team finishes the season as your number one.
This is really putting me on the spot. [laughter] Okay. Um,
I'm going to say, okay, I'm going to do my four and then my overall. How I'm for the Mak I'm going to say Howard. For the CIAA, I'm going to say Winston Salem State. For the swack, the regular season, I'm going to say UAPB. And then for the tournament, I'm going to say Alabama State. And then for the SAC, I have Edward Waters. Finishing overall number one, I have to go with Winston Salem State. I'd have to agree with you there. Yeah. [laughter]
And you know, we got this recorded, so come the end of the season, we running this back and then a team's going to win the whole thing and be like, Liv didn't believe in us. [laughter]
They'll be all right. They'll be all right. Liv, I want to say thank you so much for joining us tonight. We thank you. We love you here on the yard. Um, and before you go, tell everybody where we can find Live for Hoops and what you've got coming up this next basketball season. Yeah, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, which I don't really post on Tik Tok, but you can follow me there anyways. Everything is live for Hoops. FOR as the four. Um, this season I'm pretty much just going to elevate off of what I did last year. Try and continue my coverage. Um, get some more. I really love player interviews, so attempt to do more of those. I'm a busy lady, but um just continue to highlight and watch games and try and turn the masses on to watching H.B.CU basketball, specifically H.B.CU women's basketball, cuz if you're not watching, I don't know what you're doing. and do I'm going to pull a Sheena and be like we need cheeks in the seats at the all the seats at the women's basketball games because where y'all be at? Except for some of the schools. Where y'all be at? Don't show up at the second half when you know the men are going to be up next. Come and support your women's teams because I promise you they they're probably better than the men's teams anyway. So, you know, been there. [laughter] Thank you so much, Liv. We will definitely find you again probably around mid-season. Do a mid-season check. See how we're doing. Um, anything else you want to let the people know. No. Continue. Like this video. Support Sheena. Follow her. Follow me. You know, support women in media. That's how I'll end it. support women in me sports media especially. Um, and make sure you go show a women's basketball team some love today. Go follow their social media accounts, drop a comment, tell me who you plan on watching this season cuz it starts literally less than a month away now. This season is going to be here. So, it's right around the corner. Thanks so much. Yes. Thank you.
Oh, that was good. Oh my gosh. Thank you so much for everyone watching tonight. Thank you so much for spending your Thursday with us. Football is heating up. Basketball heating up. Volleyball and soccer are rolling. Women like Nita Shinks are making history in places that we hadn't traditionally seen. Women andist
we're going to celebrate the championships. We're talk about the business. We're going to talk about the cult and we got to make sure that the women helping shake HBCU sports aren't treating like an we're going to give you your crown over here and if you've been screaming about these comments every Saturday I'm about to see you at stadium. Okay, buy the ticket in the seats. Okay, I'm your girlina. This is of the yard where every crown tells the story. I will see you all next Thursday on the campus of Jackson State University right here on HBC game day. PE. [music]