Grambling St. faces another road test with Washington St. up next

Field Level Media|published: Sat 9th December, 20:44 2023

Mar 2, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Kyle Smith reacts to a play against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. credits: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Grambling State coach Donte' Jackson knows the drill all too well.

After returning home to Louisiana for finals week, his team will hit the road again, this time to Pullman, Wash., to face Washington State on Sunday night.

Buy-in games against Power Five schools like Sunday's help subsidize the Tigers' athletic program.

"They look at teams like us as cupcakes on their schedule," Jackson said.

While Grambling State is just 2-6 this season and has lost five games in a row — including meetings at Iowa State and Dayton — the Tigers are hardly pushovers. They went 24-9 last season, the most wins for the program since it joined NCAA Division I in 1977.

The Tigers will also visit Drake and Florida before starting Southwestern Athletic Conference play.

"Look, the reality of the situation is no, I don't want to do this," said Jackson, who has taken his team to 24 states over his seven seasons as Grambling State coach. "I don't think any coach in low-major basketball wants to take these games on. But it's really about fundraising. You play these buy-in games against name programs and Power Five teams and the tough part is, you're going to lose the majority of them.

"When you're constantly on the road, you often end up with two hours to practice in any gym you can find. Your games are officiated by refs who don't know you and you miss a lot of family time at home, including most Thanksgivings. I've got a wonderful wife."

Guard Kintavious Dozier leads the Tigers with 11.9 points per game, while forward Jalen Johnson averages 10.1.

In contrast, Washington State (7-1) has yet to play a true road game. The Cougars are 6-0 at home and 1-1 on neutral courts.

Guard Myles Rice averages a team-high 16.3 points for WSU, which has won five games in a row. Forward Isaac Jones adds averages of 14.9 points and 7.4 rebounds.

The Cougars are coming off an 86-49 blowout of UC Riverside on Wednesday, when Jaylen Wells led the way with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

"I thought this was one of the best-played games probably since I've been here, to be honest," fifth-year Washington State coach Kyle Smith said. "One of a handful where our guys came out from the beginning and just were locked in."

—Field Level Media

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