Grambling went 0-28 under first year coach Joseph Price last year, and it hasn't been much better this year, as the Tigers have started out 0-4. However, as Ken Pomeroy notes, Grambling has led in all four of its games this season.
Tonight is a big one for Grambling, as they host 1-7 Central Baptist. Whoops, that's 1-7 in NAIA Central Baptist. The streak probably ends tonight. And if it doesn't, they have a home game against Lyon, a 2-7 team also competing in NAIA.
But the more pressing question is when will Grambling win a Division 1 contest?
The Tigers are pretty bad, even by pretty bad's standards. They rank dead last in the KenPom ratings, dead last in 2pt% allowed, dead last in eFG allowed, 2nd to last in both eFG and 2 pt% on offense, and are only in the top 100 in two categories: sending opponents to the line and opponents FT%. And one of those, obviously, Grambling has no control over. Meanwhile, they are in the bottom 51 (300th or worse) in offense, defense,offensive eFG, defensive eFG, offensive and defensive turnover rate, defensive rebounding, three point offense and defense, and two point offense and defense. It's been ugly.
They had some close calls last year, losing by 10 at home to Prairie View A&M, by 12 at home against Alabama St., and by just 8 against Alabama A&M in the SWAC tournament. This year it looks like their best shots are at home against Alcorn State on February 10th and at home against Mississippi Valley State on March 3rd.
It's been a rough year for Grambling athletics as a whole: the football team had a publicized forfeit against Jackson State when they finally took a stand against deplorable conditions, including a moldy lockerroom and a 17 hour bus trip – each way – due to budgetary concerns.
While the basketball team won't make the NCAA tournament, barring a miracle, getting a division 1 win can go a long way to ligtening the mood around Grambling.
