HBCU Legends

Grambling State Tigers Are The New 'Kings Of The SWAC' After They Dethrone The Texas Southern Tigers, Going To First NCAA Tournament

The new "Kings of the SWAC" basketball hail from Northern Louisiana and await their seeding in the NCAA Tournament.

Kyle T. Mosley

Grambling State Tigers Are The New 'Kings Of The SWAC' After They Dethrone The Texas Southern Tigers, Going To First NCAA Tournament
Grambling State Tigers Are The New 'Kings Of The SWAC' After They Dethrone The Texas Southern Tigers, Going To First NCAA Tournament /

Coach Donte Jackson and the Grambling State Tigers are the new "Kings of the SWAC." GSU dethroned TSU with a 75-66 victory at the 2024 SWAC Men's Basketball Tournament Championship, ending 46 years of futility and gaining a berth to the 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

"It is amazing to accomplish something new in Grambling State history," Coach Jackson told HBCU Legends. He continued, "Because it's such a rich tradition of history when it comes to athletics. When you think of Grambling, and you think of all the greats that walked that campus, I mean to accomplish something somebody else hasn't done. It's a surreal moment."

Grambling State University SWAC Championship
Grambling State University Basketball Team wins the 2024 SWAC Men's Basketball Tournament; Credit: Alexis Blue and ShotbyMonii for Southwestern Athletic Conference

FIRST HALF

Grambling State dominated Texas Southern in the first half, using an outstanding 56% shooting from the floor and a ferocious defense to stymie senior guards PJ Henry and Jonathan Cisse to five points. GSU forward Jourdan Smith was on fire after scoring 16 points in the first half, with nine points coming from hitting three treys from downtown Birmingham. He ended the game as the Tigers' leading scorer with 20 points, three rebounds, and a pair of assists.

SECOND HALF

The Tiger's leader, senior guard Tra'Michael Moton, was held scoreless during the period but contributed with six assists and one rebound. However, the senior guard got his team cranking after two tense encounters, flagrant fouls, and jarring between squads on the floor. As the momentum started to switch during a Texas Southern run to get the margin to single digit, Moton displayed why he's the team's leader and was named the 2024 SWAC Men's Basketball Tournament Most Valuable Player.

"Tra'Michael Moton is an amazing kid. He's quiet, a leader, and a leader by example. But when he speaks, everybody listens. It's great to see him in this moment and capitalize."

Each time TSU gained ground, Moton and his teammates responded with "Big Play" after "Big Play." Moton's trey with 2:47 gave the G-Men a 71-58 lead en route to securing the SWAC title. "He [Moton] was like, 'I got us coach!" I mean, what confidence. I love that kid," Jackson praised Moton.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE GRAMBLING TIGERS

Jackson remarked, "People would say we don't make the tournament. You can find something else to talk about!"

Grambling State University Basketball will await the NCAA Selection Committee's announcement of its tourney seeding on Selection Day Sunday. An early ESPN forecast has the Tigers as a No. 16 seed to face Montana State in the first round. Nevertheless, Coach Jackson and the new "Kings of the SWAC" will continue dancing from last night to the "Big Dance."

Congratulations, Grambling State Tigers!

NOTABLE GAME STATS

Grambling State Tigers

  • Jourdan Smith - 20 points
  • Jonathan Aku - 6 rebounds
  • Tra'Michael Moton - 7 assists

Texas Southern Tigers

  • Jonathan Cisse - 21 points
  • Deon Stroud - 16 points, 5 rebounds
  • Jaylen Wysinger - 2 assists

Coach Tomekia Reed Guides The Jackson State Lady Tigers To Win Her Third SWAC Women's Basketball Tournament Title, Earns Trip To NCAA

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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