Original Publish Date: Jan. 7, 2025
Article Link: https://www.thefamuanonline.com/2025/01/07/men-struggles-continue-in-swac-opener/
The Florida A&M men’s basketball team fell 62-55 against rival Bethune-Cookman in their SWAC opener on Saturday.
The loss marks the fourth straight this season after a tough non-conference schedule that included BYU, Utah, and Tarleton State in December.
Head coach Patrick Crarey III highlighted the difference in pace between Saturday’s game and their previous nonconference matchups.
“Nonconference is kind of super up and down,” Crarey said. “It’s more like a playoff atmosphere, a slower-paced game.”
The Rattlers jumped out to a 12-4 lead with 13 minutes to go in the first half before the Wildcats outscored them 26-15 to end the half with a 30-27 lead.
The lead changed eight times in the second half before BCU pulled away with seven unanswered points in the final two minutes to win their first conference game of the season and their fifth straight over FAMU.
Crarey attributed the loss to the Wildcats making plays that the Rattlers didn’t. Despite that, Crarey believed his players were prepared and overall played a good game.
“I thought we were ready to play,” Crarey said. “I just thought that when it came down to it, they made the plays that we didn’t make.”
Guard Milton Matthews led the offense for the Rattlers, scoring 20 points with four rebounds and an assist.
Notably, senior guard Jordan Chatman and forward Tyler Shirley did not play in Saturday’s game. Chatman was hit in the face during the Dec. 29 game against Tarleton State.
Crarey said that the absence of Shirley and Chatman presented challenges on defense. He opted for a bigger, taller starting five in the second half to better handle the Wildcats.
“We only have really three wings when it comes to Chapman from a defensive side of the ball,” Crarey said. “The bigger lineup was just defensively. I thought it worked in our favor. Offensively, we just have to make it work.”
Crarey said he first employed that defensive strategy against Florida earlier in the season and plans to continue using it as SWAC play progresses.
In addition to remaining disciplined, Crarey said that in order for his team to succeed on the road against Southern next week, they just need to work on spacing, shot selection, and communication on both offense and defense.
“We just have to get our offensive rhythm better,” Crarey said. “And we have to take care of the turnovers.”
The Rattlers take on Southern University on the road in Baton Rouge on Saturday, Jan. 11. The Jaguars are first in the SWAC with an overall record of 6-8 and are 1-0 in conference play.