Florida A&M vs. Southern — Saturday, 6 p.m. (SWAC TV)
Florida A&M vs. Grambling State — Monday, 7 p.m. (SWAC TV)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida A&M men's basketball opens a key two-game SWAC home stand with two of the league's more complete teams, welcoming Southern on Saturday night before hosting Grambling State on Monday. For the Rattlers, the path to a breakthrough weekend starts with execution — valuing possessions, finishing defensive possessions with rebounds, and turning their pressure defense into points.

Florida A&M: What the Numbers Say

Florida A&M's profile shows a team that can create chances, but needs to maximize them.
How the Rattlers can tilt games

• Pressure creates possessions. FAMU is a top-tier SWAC disruptor, ranking 5th in steals (8.4) and 4th in turnovers forced (14.33). That's the formula for generating easier looks and getting to the line without having to grind every half-court possession.
• They're willing to shoot it. The Rattlers are 4th in the SWAC in 3-point attempts (21.2 per game). When those shots fall, FAMU can stretch defenses and open driving lanes.
• Bench production can matter in a two-game stretch. FAMU averages 21.33 bench points, a valuable lever against teams that play with depth — especially Southern.

What must improve to win this week

• Possession efficiency. FAMU ranks 353rd nationally in turnovers per game (15.2) and sits 347th in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.80). Against two opponents that pressure and defend, empty trips can snowball quickly.
• Rebounding and second chances. The Rattlers are 349th in rebounds per game (31.08) and 354th in rebound margin (-7.9). Both Southern and Grambling are built to punish missed box-outs.
• Free throws. FAMU is 358th nationally at 61.8% at the line. In tight SWAC games, that's often the difference between "close" and "finished."

Key Rattler pieces to watch

• Jaquan Sanders (12.2 ppg) — primary scoring option and a key perimeter creator.
• Antonio Baker (10.6 ppg; 1.64 spg) — two-way guard who can change possessions with defensive activity.
• Tyler Shirley (10.5 ppg; 31:04 mpg; 4.08 rpg) — heavy-minute stabilizer; FAMU needs his steadiness on both ends.
• Jordan Chatman (9.3 ppg) — another scoring piece that helps balance the floor.
• Miles Ndalama (1.33 bpg) — rim presence that can impact shot selection inside.
• Kaleb Washington (1.50 spg) — another pressure point in FAMU's turnover-forcing identity.

Scouting Southern: Depth, Defense, and Disruption

Southern comes to Tallahassee with one of the strongest all-around statistical resumes in the league — and they win with a style that travels.

Southern's identity

• Elite SWAC efficiency. The Jaguars lead the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.16) and are the SWAC's best in effective FG% (.522) and FG% (46.3). They don't just score — they score efficiently.
• Waves of bench scoring. Southern is 1st in the SWAC and 25th nationally in bench points (34.13 per game). They can keep pressure on you for 40 minutes.
• Rebounding muscle. Southern leads the league in rebounds per game (36.33) and is 2nd in rebound margin (-0.7), which is effectively "near even" in a league where many teams are negative.
• Game-changing defense. Southern is 11th nationally in steals (10.1 per game) and 2nd in the SWAC in turnovers forced (15.67). They're built to speed you up and turn mistakes into points.

Players that drive the engine

• Michael Jacobs (21.3 ppg) — the headliner. He also gets to the line a ton (105 FTA; SWAC leader) and produces in multiple categories (points, assists, steals, free throws).
• Cam Amboree (2.47 spg) — conference-leading disruptor and one of the SWAC's most disruptive perimeter defenders.
• Malek Abdelgowad (12.3 ppg; 6.9 rpg) — interior presence and rebounding anchor.
• DaMariee Jones (9.5 ppg) — adds scoring and rim protection (1.0 bpg).

Matchup keys vs. Southern

1. Handle the heat. Southern's pressure defense is designed to turn ball-handling into a problem. If FAMU can keep turnovers down, they can force Southern to defend in the half court — where shot quality matters more than chaos.
2. Win the glass by committee. FAMU doesn't have to dominate rebounds, but it can't be buried. Everyone has to box out, especially against Southern's depth.
3. Make free throws count. Southern attacks the rim and lives at the line. FAMU has to convert its own opportunities, especially late.
4. Turn pressure into pace. FAMU's best chance is turning steals into points before Southern's defense is set.

 
Scouting Grambling State: Disciplined, Tough, and Built to Win Close

Grambling State brings a more controlled, disciplined style — and the Tigers' numbers reflect a team that defends, gets to the line, and wins possession battles.

Grambling's identity

• Strong defensive backbone. Grambling ranks 2nd in the SWAC in scoring defense (72.1) and 2nd in 3-point percentage defense (32.3). They contest, rotate, and force tough looks.
• Gets to the stripe. The Tigers are 2nd in the SWAC in free-throw attempts (25.3 per game) and 2nd in free throws made (18.1). That's a steady scoring base even on off shooting nights.
• Solid offensive efficiency. Grambling shoots 45.7% from the field (3rd SWAC) and posts a top-2 SWAC effective FG% (.519).
• Competitive in turnover battles. Grambling is positive in turnover margin and forces plenty of miscues (15.47 turnovers forced, 3rd SWAC), which matters against a FAMU team that has had turnover challenges.

Players to know

• Antonio Munoz (13.5 ppg) — lead scorer and a frequent free-throw threat (103 FTA).
• Derrius Ward (10.4 ppg) — secondary scorer who helps balance the attack.
• Roderick Coffee III (9.2 ppg; 1.57 A/T; 31:01 mpg) — primary table-setter, steady hand, and a key tempo controller.
• Jamil Muttilib (9.7 ppg; 1.60 spg) — two-way contributor and active defender.
• Jimel Lane (8.6 ppg) — another scoring piece in a balanced rotation.

Matchup keys vs. Grambling

1. Keep them off the line. Grambling's free-throw volume is a weapon. FAMU's fouls per game (19.3) can't turn into a parade to the stripe.
2. Shot selection matters. Grambling defends the arc well. FAMU will need to create paint touches and open threes — not rushed ones.
3. Play through contact. Grambling's defense is built for tough, physical possessions. FAMU must stay poised when shots don't fall early.
4. Finish defensive possessions. Grambling isn't an elite offensive rebounding team, but second chances in a defensive game can decide it.

Checklist to Win Both Games

• Turnovers: Keep it manageable; don't let it become the story.
• Rebounding: Must be a five-man effort — especially vs. Southern.
• Free throws: FAMU must cash in when it gets there.
• Transition points: Convert steals into layups; don't waste the advantage.
• Composure: Both opponents thrive when you speed up and get sloppy.