GAME PREVIEW -- Fayetteville State vs Johnson C. Smith
** Men's Basketball
Date: Saturday
, February 14, 2026
Time: 4:00
PM
Location: Capel Arena, Fayetteville, NC
Broadcast: Bronco Sports Network
Live Stats: Live Stats
Tickets: Game Tickets
Fayetteville State men's basketball returns to Capel Arena on
Saturday, February 14 at 4:00 PM for a highly anticipated Senior Day matchup against Johnson C. Smith. With FSU sitting at
17-6 overall and 11-2 in the CIAA, the Broncos aim to keep building momentum as the postseason approaches, while the Golden Bulls enter at
9-12 overall and 6-7 in league play looking for a key road win to strengthen their conference positioning.
Saturday's matchup features a clash of high-powered offenses and several of the top individual performers in the CIAA this season. Both teams rely heavily on elite guard play, versatile scorers and big-time shot makers.
Fayetteville State
The Broncos boast the CIAA's top-scoring offense at 89.7 points per game, fueled by one of the strongest four-player cores in the league.
Top Players
- Larry Howell (20.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG): One of the CIAA's most versatile scorers. Howell shoots 37% from three and 86.7% at the line, making him a constant matchup problem.
- Ezekiel Cannedy (18.1 PPG): FSU's dynamic perimeter threat who shoots nearly 38% from deep. His shot creation and late-game poise have been crucial.
- Romeo Aquino (13.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG): The team's most efficient interior scorer, shooting nearly 50% from the field while adding rim protection at 1.4 blocks per game.
- Terrell Williams (12.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG): A strong two-way presence who fills the stat sheet with rebounds, assists and steals. He leads the team with 6.1 assists per game.
Backing that quartet is a deep supporting cast led by
Travon Cooper II (10.0 PPG) and
Darius Boben (8.4 PPG, 2.0 SPG), giving FSU consistent scoring at every position.
Defensively, the Broncos excel at rim protection, averaging 5.5 blocks per game, and generate nearly 19 points per game off turnovers through aggressive on-ball pressure.
Johnson C. Smith
The Golden Bulls present a dangerous offensive group led by one of the most accurate shooting lineups in the CIAA. JCSU shoots 38.6% from beyond the arc, making them one of the league's top perimeter threats.
Top Players
- Trey Pettigrew (17.6 PPG): The team's leading scorer. Capable off the dribble and from deep (40% from three), he's the engine of the JCSU offense.
- Jamauri Bryant (16.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG): A physical forward shooting over 51% from the field and one of the league's toughest interior scorers and rebounders.
- Jared Davis (12.0 PPG, 60.1 FG%): An efficient finisher who can score at all levels while providing strong defensive presence.
- Javian Cannady (5.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG): A reliable perimeter shooter at 38.5% from deep and steady playmaker at nearly three assists per game.
While JCSU shoots the ball well, rebounding remains a concern. The Golden Bulls average
5.3 fewer rebounds per game than their opponents, a potential disadvantage against an FSU frontline that excels on the glass.
What to Expect
The game sets up as a fast-paced battle between two high-powered offenses. Fayetteville State's ability to score in transition and generate points at the free‑throw line — where the Broncos average 25 made free throws per game — could play a major role.
Johnson C. Smith will look to counter with efficient outside shooting, ball movement and controlled tempo. Limiting turnovers will be crucial, as the Golden Bulls average slightly more miscues than their opponents.
With Senior Day fueling the atmosphere and a packed Capel Arena expected, both teams will bring heightened energy and urgency.
Keys to the Game
Fayetteville State will look to
- dominate rebounding and create second‑chance opportunities
- limit JCSU's three-point attempts
- keep Howell and Cannedy involved early to set the offensive tone
- use defensive pressure to force turnovers and run in transition
Johnson C. Smith must
- rely on efficient outside shooting to stretch the floor
- slow the game's tempo to limit FSU's transition scoring
- get big nights from Pettigrew and Bryant
- protect the glass and limit FSU's free‑throw attempts
Senior Day always brings elevated emotion, and the Broncos enter Saturday's matchup in strong form with a deep, experienced lineup ready to defend its home floor. With two of the CIAA's most talented scoring units going head‑to‑head, fans can expect an electric atmosphere and a competitive, high-energy matchup from start to finish.
