Take Two: Bulldogs look to open season against FAMU

Let’s try this again.

After having Wednesday’s season opener against Columbus State cancelled due to COVID-19 issues among the visitors, Tom Crean’s team will (we think) begin play this afternoon at 2:00 at Stegeman Coliseum against the Florida A&M Rattlers.

The Rattlers finished 12-15 last season, and a respectable 10-6 in the MEAC. But that record included a nine game losing streak to start the season against the likes of Tennessee, USC, and Seton Hall, before eventually catching Iowa State for an upset win. This FAMU team usually plays a front-loaded schedule and has experience against big time basketball teams.

That being said, things got off to a disappointing start last week when they dropped a 65-55 opener to Florida Gulf Coast. The main culprit in that loss: 20 turnovers, including 12 in the second half. That’s a trend we’re likely to see in the early going this season, as teams who haven’t scrimmaged together or played exhibitions get thrown out on the court for the first time in a non-practice environment.

This afternoon’s game is set for 2:00 pm on the SEC Network (following a replay of last night’s football game).

Go ‘Dawgs!!!