What Is 2022-23 Alabama A&M basketball team

Overview

The 2022-23 Alabama A&M men's basketball team represented Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in NCAA Division I competition as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Competing during the 2022-23 academic year, the team was led by head coach Jason Howell, who was in his second season at the helm.

The Bulldogs faced a challenging non-conference schedule before entering SWAC play, aiming to improve on their previous season's performance. Despite a losing overall record, the team showed moments of competitiveness, particularly in conference matchups, where they posted a mid-tier SWAC standing.

• Record: The team finished with a 12-20 overall record, including a 7-11 mark in SWAC games, placing them near the bottom half of the conference standings.
• Head Coach:Jason Howell entered his second season as head coach, focusing on rebuilding the program after inheriting a team in transition.
• Scoring: Alabama A&M averaged 68.7 points per game while allowing 73.6 points per game, indicating defensive struggles throughout the season.
• Home Games: The Bulldogs played 14 home games at the Elmore Gymnasium in Normal, Alabama, drawing modest crowds due to team performance and scheduling.
• Key Player: Guard Dontrae Robinson led the team in scoring, averaging 14.3 points per game and serving as a primary offensive option.

Season Performance and Game Results

The team’s schedule included matchups against Power Five programs and mid-major opponents, testing their depth and resilience early in the season. Several close losses highlighted the team’s competitiveness despite the final record.

• Opening Game: The season began with a 73-64 loss to Mississippi Valley State on November 7, 2022, setting a tone of early struggles.
• Non-Conference Play: Alabama A&M went 5-9 outside SWAC competition, including losses to Alabama and Georgia Tech by double digits.
• Conference Wins: The Bulldogs secured 7 SWAC victories, defeating teams like Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Mississippi Valley State twice.
• Close Games: They lost eight games by six points or fewer, suggesting narrow margins between improvement and setbacks.
• Postseason: The team did not qualify for the SWAC Tournament championship game or any national postseason tournaments.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how Alabama A&M compared to top SWAC teams in key statistical categories:

The table shows that while Alabama A&M outperformed some lower-tier SWAC teams, they lagged behind conference leaders like Grambling State, who won the regular season title. Their scoring and defense metrics reflected a team striving for consistency, with room for improvement on both ends of the floor.

Why It Matters

The 2022-23 season was a developmental year for Alabama A&M basketball, with implications for future program growth and recruiting. Understanding this season helps contextualize the team's trajectory under Coach Howell.

• Program Rebuilding: The season underscored the challenges of rebuilding a Division I program with limited resources and player turnover.
• Player Development: Young players gained experience, with five freshmen seeing significant minutes, laying groundwork for future seasons.
• Recruiting Impact: Performance influenced 2023 recruiting class evaluations, as prospects assessed program stability.
• Conference Competitiveness: The team remained within striking distance in most SWAC games, showing potential for future success.
• Facility Limitations: Playing in the aging Elmore Gymnasium affected attendance and game-day experience compared to better-funded schools.
• Media Exposure: Limited national TV appearances reduced visibility, impacting fan engagement and sponsorship interest.

While the 2022-23 campaign did not yield postseason success, it provided valuable experience and data for Alabama A&M to build upon in subsequent seasons, emphasizing long-term growth over immediate results.