Game Preview: Fayetteville State Broncos vs. Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls
Men's Basketball**

Date: January 17, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Brayboy Gymnasium, Charlotte, NC
Broadcast: Golden Bulls Sports Network
Live Stats: Live Stats
Tickets: Game Tickets

Fayetteville State enters its next CIAA showdown looking to build momentum as the Broncos host a resilient Johnson C. Smith squad in a matchup that routinely delivers energy, intensity, and high‑level guard play. With both teams relying heavily on their top scorers and key playmakers, this contest carries weight not only for the standings but also for establishing midseason rhythm.

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FAYETTEVILLE STATE
The Broncos arrive with a 9–6 overall record and a 4–2 start in CIAA play, powered by an offense producing more than 86 points per game. Fayetteville State's combination of shot‑making, elite free‑throw production, and aggressive defensive presence has carried the team through a demanding non‑conference and early league stretch. Despite allowing opponents to win the rebounding battle, the Broncos' rim protection and transition pressure remain defining strengths.

Players to Watch

• Larry Howell – 21.1 points, 7.0 rebounds; the Broncos' dominant scoring and rebounding anchor.
• Ezekiel Cannedy – 17.5 points; a perimeter threat shooting over 36 percent from deep.
• Romeo Aquino – 13.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks; a versatile interior presence.
• Terrell Williams – 12.1 points, 7.0 assists; one of the CIAA's most productive facilitators.

JOHNSON C. SMITH
Johnson C. Smith enters at 5–9 and 2–4 in the conference but brings one of the CIAA's most efficient shooting teams to the floor. The Golden Bulls boast an impressive 40 percent three‑point shooting clip and rely on dynamic guard play and well‑timed ball movement. While challenges with turnovers and rebounding differential persist, JCSU's offensive versatility keeps them competitive in nearly every matchup.
Players to Watch

• Trey Pettigrew – 16.2 points; a balanced scorer who thrives in space.
• Jamauri Bryant – 15.5 points, 7.1 rebounds; the Golden Bulls' interior engine.
• Jared Davis – 11.5 points at 59.6 percent shooting; a highly efficient finisher.
• Javian Cannady – 5.7 points, 3.3 assists; a steady playmaker who stretches defenses.

What to Expect

• A contrast in styles, with Fayetteville State leaning on defensive pressure and rim protection while Johnson C. Smith emphasizes perimeter timing, spacing, and three‑point accuracy.
• High scoring potential, driven by the Broncos' 86.5 points per game and the Golden Bulls' efficient perimeter shooting at 40 percent from three.
• Tempo swings, as Fayetteville State thrives in transition and at the free‑throw line, while JCSU will look to slow possessions and find quality jump‑shot opportunities.
• Guard‑driven play, with both teams relying heavily on their backcourts to create offense and control flow.
• Key moments around turnovers, as JCSU averages more giveaways, while Fayetteville State forces nearly nine steals per night.

Key Takeaways

• Rebounding will matter; both teams enter with negative rebounding margins, and whoever wins the glass could gain a decisive advantage.
• Fayetteville State's free‑throw production is a difference‑maker, as the Broncos attempt more than 25 free throws per game compared to JCSU's 15.
• Johnson C. Smith's three‑point shooting could shape the game's tone, especially if Pettigrew, Bryant, and Raye find early rhythm.
• Turnovers could dictate momentum, with Fayetteville State possessing a slight edge in creating points off giveaways.
• Star power is central, as both teams lean heavily on their top scorers for shot creation and late‑game execution.

Summary
Fayetteville State and Johnson C. Smith meet in a matchup that showcases some of the CIAA's most talented scorers and playmakers. The Broncos will look to their proven quartet of Howell, Cannedy, Aquino, and Williams to control tempo and apply interior and perimeter pressure. Johnson C. Smith counters with a balanced scoring attack built around Pettigrew, Bryant, and Davis, supported by one of the conference's most accurate three‑point shooting units. With both teams seeking a meaningful conference win, the game promises high‑level execution, intensity on both ends, and the potential for a closely contested finish.