TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida A&M men's basketball returns home for a pivotal SWAC week, hosting Alabama A&M on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. and Alabama State on Saturday at 6 p.m. Both games will stream on SWAC TV. The matchup pair brings two different tests: Alabama A&M's ball security and half-court discipline, and Alabama State's rebounding, depth and rim protection.

Scouting Florida A&M: who the Rattlers are

Where FAMU is strongest

• Creates chaos: FAMU ranks 55th nationally in turnovers forced per game (13.88) and is 5th in the SWAC. That disruption is the engine of the offense.
• Active hands: 8.0 steals per game (national rank 67) consistently ignites runouts and early-clock opportunities.
• Rim protection: 3.1 blocks per game (SWAC rank 6) gives Florida A&M a backline to support ball pressure.
• Gets out and runs: 11.13 fastbreak points per game (national rank 151) shows this isn't just a half-court team—FAMU wants tempo.
• Lives at the stripe: 21.4 free-throw attempts per game and 14.5 makes per game provide a steady scoring baseline even when jump shots vary.
• Shoots enough threes to stress defenses: 21.4 three-point attempts per game (SWAC rank 4) with 7.1 makes per game and 33.3% accuracy—good enough that opponents can't simply pack the lane.

What must tighten up

• Turnovers are the swing stat: FAMU is at 15.5 turnovers per game (national rank 358) and a -1.7 turnover margin. When the Rattlers are loose with the ball, it neutralizes their best advantage (forcing miscues).
• Free-throw accuracy: 67.7% (conference rank 12) leaves points at the line in the exact type of close SWAC games this week is likely to produce.
• Rebounding margin: -2.1 and a modest 32.92 rebounds per game—and that matters a lot with Alabama State on deck, because the Hornets are a top rebounding team in the league.

Style notes: what FAMU wants each game to look like

1) Extra possessions without "empty" ones
Florida A&M's defense is good enough to manufacture chances. The key is making sure those possessions end with a shot attempt—especially against Alabama A&M, which takes care of the ball, and Alabama State, which will punish mistakes with fastbreak bursts.

2) Paint touches create the best threes
FAMU's three-point volume is a weapon when it comes off drive-and-kick or inside-out movement. When threes come too early or without advantage, it can become runout fuel for opponents.

3) Bench scoring can swing SWAC games
Florida A&M averages 21.5 bench points per game, giving the Rattlers real lineup flexibility. In conference play, winning the non-starter minutes often decides the second half.

Rattlers to know

• Jaquan Sanders – The lead initiator and rhythm-setter.
  • 3.3 assists per game and a heavy workload (31:17 minutes per game).
  • Also a perimeter driver: 2.09 threes per game (and one of the team's consistent spacing pieces).
• Tyler Shirley / Jordan Chatman / Kaleb Washington / Antonio Baker – The scoring committee.
  • FAMU's balanced scoring profile (multiple players near double figures) makes them harder to take away with one matchup or one coverage.
• Miles Ndalama – Interior presence.
  • Provides rim protection (1.05 blocks per game) and extra possessions on the glass (team-relevant with Alabama State looming).

Opponent capsule: Alabama A&M (Thursday • 8:30 p.m. • SWAC TV)

Alabama A&M's profile is built on discipline and efficiency—especially with the ball. The Bulldogs don't beat themselves, and that alone can be a problem for teams that rely on transition generated off turnovers.
Team tendencies & strengths

• Protects the ball (elite for the league): 11.7 turnovers per game (SWAC rank 1). That directly challenges FAMU's identity (forcing turnovers).
• Defends efficiently: 43.2% opponent FG (SWAC rank 1), plus 71.5 points allowed per game (SWAC rank 2)—a strong half-court defensive profile.
• Gets to the line and converts: 24.3 FT attempts per game (SWAC rank 3) and 74.4% at the stripe (SWAC rank 4). They can score without making shots late.
• Balanced offense: 71.1 points per game with enough shooting (33.3% from three) to punish overhelp.

Key Bulldogs

• Kintavious Dozier (15.7 ppg) – Primary scorer who can generate paint touches and free throws.
• Koron Davis (14.0 ppg) – Secondary scoring threat who complements Dozier.
• Sami Pissis (3.7 apg) – The organizer, key to their poise vs pressure.
• P.J. Eason – Impacts the game at the rim and on the glass (1.48 blocks/game; 7.0 rebounds/game).

What decides it

• FAMU pressure vs AAMU poise: If Florida A&M can speed AAMU up into uncharacteristic turnovers, the game tilts toward the Rattlers' strengths.
• Free-throw math: Alabama A&M's FT accuracy is an edge; FAMU has to match their trips and finish better at the line.
• Shot quality: Against a team that defends well, Florida A&M needs to avoid "bailout" possessions and generate threes off advantage.

Opponent capsule: Alabama State (Saturday • 6 p.m. • SWAC TV)

Alabama State brings a physical, athletic profile built around rebounding, depth and rim protection, and the numbers scream that the Hornets can change games with second-chance points and transition bursts.

Team tendencies & strengths

• Controls the glass: Alabama State is No. 1 in the SWAC in rebound margin (0.7), offensive rebounds (12.96/game) and total rebounds (36.35/game). That's a direct stress test for FAMU's defensive rebounding.
• Fastbreak threat: 14.15 fastbreak points per game (national rank 47)—they can change momentum quickly.
• Bench production: 24.85 bench points per game (SWAC rank 3) gives them waves of energy.
• Blocks travel: 3.6 blocks per game, with an elite rim protector anchoring it.

Key Hornets

• Asjon Anderson (15.7 ppg, 3.6 apg) – Primary scoring option who also gets to the line and converts (83.5% FT).
• Micah Simpson (14.4 ppg, 3.5 apg) – High-minute guard and a major perimeter engine; also a volume three-point shooter (2.38 threes/game).
• Jerquarius Stanback – One of the league's most impactful defenders:
  • 1.92 blocks per game (SWAC leader) and 50 total blocks—a true rim deterrent that changes how teams finish.

What decides it

• One-shot defense: If FAMU can keep Alabama State from living on the offensive glass, the Hornets lose a major scoring source.
• Transition defense: Both teams want to run; the team that gets back and builds the wall first will control long stretches.
• Finishing vs length: Against elite rim protection, Florida A&M has to play off two feet, use shot fakes and generate kickouts rather than forcing contested finishes.