The men’s basketball prepare to defend the SWAC crown in the 2018-19 season.
Thursday night (Oct. 25)kicked off Tiger Madness in the Frederick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
The 2018-2019 men’s and women’s basketball teams were revealed while showcasing their skills and talents in front of fans.
In addition to the athletic display, the night featured music by DJ Twinz, along with performances by MC Fiji, The World-Famed Marching Band, the cheerleaders and KK Psi.
Tiger Madness featured a 3-point shootout with the men’s and women’s basketball teams competing against each other, with the men coming out victorious.
Men’s sophomore guard, Anthony Gaston shot the most 3-pointers, finding the bottom of the net 9-of-15 times in the competition.
“I just tried to have a clear mental, while being ready to shoot,” Gaston said. “I do this every day, so it’s not nothing new.”
Following the three-point shootout was a 10-minute scrimmage from both teams.
Emphatic dunks by men’s basketball Prince Moss, after consecutive alley-oops from Ivy Smith, had fans on the edge of their seats.
Smith received preseason honors for All-American First-Team. He ranked fourth in the SWAC scoring 16.7 points per game, and second in assists with five per game in 2017-18.
Teammate Devante Jackson also made headlines receiving Preseason Second-Team votes.
Jackson ranked fourth on the team in scoring with eight points per game last season.
The G-MEN have been chosen as the team to beat, and picked to finish first in the 2018-19 SWAC standings.
The men’s basketball season opener will be Friday, Nov. 9 at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. against Jarvis Christian College.
GSU fans are eager and optimistic for the Lady Tigers in the 2018-19 season.
The Lady Tigers lost only one senior from last season. Monisha Neal an All-SWAC First-Teamer, who averaged 11 points per game while scoring 1,000 points in her career graduated following the 2017-18 season.
The Lady Tigers finished as SWAC Champions, with an NCAA appearance in 2017, for the first time in 19 years.
GSU averaged 67 points per game, while shooting 39.9 percent from the field.
The Lady Tigers were led by preseason Player of the Year and Ann Meyers watch list candidate Shakyla Hill.
Hill scored a career-high 35 points in a defeat to Alabama A&M at the end of last season.
The winner of the 2019 Ann Meyers award will be revealed on an ESPN platform during the 2019 Women’s Final Four in Tampa, Fla.
Hill made history in the 2017-18 season, as she recorded the fourth ever quadruple double in the nation.
The GSU Lady Tigers basketball team poses for a picture before Midnight Madness.
“The scrimmage was successful and went well,” Women’s Head Basketball Coach Freddie Murray said.
“Fans are excited and it showed on Thursday night. We probably had about 1,500 people in attendance tonight, thats a great turnout for a Midnight Madness game.”
Grambling State Lady Tigers open their season on the road, against Auburn Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Tip off from Auburn Arena is set for 5:30 p.m.