It's 2024 and SWAC schools still can't field someone to film/commentate their home games. I don't see an option to view this game although I thought it would be on ESPN+ from a contractual obligation. My best guess is they either don't have the resources to film to game, or (more likely) they have no one that can produce/PBP/Color the game. I've seen SWAC schools in the past do a live stream on YouTube, but I'm afraid there will be no viewing options for today's game.
As far as a scout goes Florida A&M could potentially be the worst team we play this year (SIUE may also fall into that category starting 0-3, but they've both played UCF and FAMU lost by 25 vs. SIUE losing by 10). Currently RPI #339 of 362 possible teams and 0-6 start against a mild Non-Conf (4 games in Quad 3, 2 games in Quad 4). They don't do anything particularly well, but they have a pair of scorers to keep an eye on. Sophomore Sydney Hendrix (#5, 5'11" F) leads the Lady Rattlers with 12.5 ppg on 46% FG. She does all her work inside the paint and scores a lot on offensive rebounds. Hendrix however is a turnover machine when she is pressured (27 turnovers in 6 games). I think if they would give her the ball in situations she didn't have to dribble, she would be very good for the low-major game. Syracuse-transfer, Graduate Cheyenne McEvans (#24, 5'9") is their best player, in my opinion. She is second on the team with 11.4 ppg. She is a more disciplined shooter and you can tell she's spent time on a P5 roster. In terms of turnovers/minutes she takes the best care of the ball at the SG position and is shooting 7/11 from deep.
I think the Lady Raiders play this game 100 times over this should never be closer than 10 points. We are better at every position 2 deep to our bench, and winning by 45 points last year is a good indication of that, too. I see signs of second year coach Bridgette Gordon moving the program into a good direction with the transfer pick-ups, but this matchup should be nothing more than an opportunity to execute your half court offense and prepare for a big weekend. If there was something I'd really want to see is populating to the basketball on defense. Rebounding is vital to success against Iowa State this Saturday and hopefully that's a habit they play with against any opponent. Also, I want to see some life on offense. The three-point shooting has left a lot to be desired -- currently 28.2% 3FG would be the worst in program history since 2013-14 (27.8% 3FG). I know it's a small sample size, but this team has too much talent to be in the bottom of that particular stat.
