WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Winston-Salem State University men's basketball team continues Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) to play Thursday, February 9^th hosting Claflin before Traveling to Fayetteville State on Saturday, February 11th.
Things to Know – Thursday
Location: Winston-Salem, N.C. (C.E. Gaines)
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Media: Watch | Live Stats
Theme: Pink Game
Record: 17-4 (8-4 CIAA)
 
Things to Know- Saturday
Location: Fayetteville, N.C. (C.E Gaines Center)
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Media: Watch | Live Stats
Record: 13-11 (8-4 CIAA)
 
Series
Dating back to 2015, the series is tied 5-5. WSSU lost the last matchup 58-69 on January 18, 2023.
 
Against FSU, dating back to 2006, WSSU leads the series 21-7. The Rams won the last contest 56-55 on January 21, 2023.
 
Last Time Out
The Rams defeated St. Augustine University in an overtime thriller. Samage Teel and Jaylon Gibson both finished with 17 points for the Rams. Gibson also recorded eight rebounds. Nathan Springs added nine points and Ketron "K.C." Shaw dished in eight.
 
Ram Returners:
The Rams brought back ten returners from last year's team, sophomores, Stefon Mcleod, Abnar Muhammad, Ralph Bland, redshirt sophomores Samage Teel, and Isaac Parson, junior Jaylen Alston, and seniors Jonathan Hicklin, Xavier Fennell, DyQuavis Wilkins, and Jaylin Parker.
 
Ram Newcomers:
The Rams welcomed freshman Jeremy Dixon, Jarius Northam, Ketron "KC" Shaw, junior Jaylon Gibson, and graduate student Nathan Springs during the off-season.
 
CIAA Preseason:
Jonathan Hicklin and Isaac Parson were named to the All-CIAA preseason team Backcourt and Nathan Springs was named to the All-CIAA Frontcourt team. Overall, the Rams were selected to finish third in the season and second in the Southern Division.
 
CIAA Weekly Awards:
 

• For week five, Jaylon Gibson was named the CIAA Player of the Week after scoring 25 points in the victory over Clark Atlanta. He also had 11 rebounds and shot 9-of-14 from the field.
• For week 12, Samage Teel was named CIAA Player of the Week after scoring 21 points in the victory over Livingstone College. He also had three assists and two steals on the afternoon.
• For week 12, Jaylon Gibson was named CIAA Defensive Player of the Week after blocking 1 shot and grabbing 8 rebounds (five defensive).
• For week 13, Jaylon Gibson was named CIAA Defensive Player of the Week after blocking four shots and grabbing eight rebounds ( four defensive) in an overtime win against St. Augustine's. Offensively, he finished with 17 points.

 
 
D2SIDA Atlantic Regional Poll
The men moved up to 8^th in the D2SIDA Atlantic Regional Poll after an overtime victory over St. Augustine University on Saturday, February 4th.
 
 CIAA Top-Ten Stats as of 2-7

• The Rams are seventh in the league in offense, averaging 71.6 points a game.
• They are ranked second in defense, only allowing 63.6 points a game.
• Jaylon Gibson is ranked eighth in scoring, averaging 13.5 points a game. He is also seventh in rebounding (6.8) per game. He's first in field goal percentage (.601) and seventh in blocked shots (1.0).
• Jaylen Alston is ranked sixth in rebounding (6.8). He's ninth in free throw percentage (.737).
• Samage Teel is seventh in assists (3.0) and fifth in steals (1.7).

 
HBCU Watchlist
Jon Hicklin was named to the 2023 HBCU All-Star game watchlist. The game is slated for April 2nd in Houston, Texas.
Scouting Report
Claflin University is on a three-game winning streak after beating 90-71 Livingstone College on February 4th. The Panthers were led by Jailen Williams who scored 16 points. Daijon Stewart and Allen Hatchett both chipped in with 14 points each.
 
Fayetteville State will play Livingstone College on February 9th. The Broncos lost Johnson C. University on February 4th, 63-71. The Broncos were led by Cress Worthy who scored 11 points.