G-Men Leave Historically Black Mark on Tech's Previously-Proud Program
There goes the neighborhood. Are we sure UCLA's opening-season opponent wasn't the school having multiple prominent players imprisoned in China? Josh Pastner's coaching stint at Georgia Tech doesn't appear as if it will be much more than a "rambling" wreck, let alone returning to the Final Four. A 64-63 defeat at home against Grambling after barely beating Bethune-Cookman is not what "tipsy" (into wrong basket) Tech fans had in mind when previously-promising Pastner arrived on campus.
The embarrassing setback, leaving a historically black mark as it was the Tigers' first win against a NCAA DI opponent from outside the MEAC and SWAC in almost seven years, represented another power-conference member succumbing at home against a HBCU (Historically Black College or University). Keep in mind the G-Men averaged a grotesque 6 1/2 wins annually the previous 10 campaigns (including winless season in 2012-13).
Last year, Oregon State bowed to a HBCU opponent for the third time this decade. No HBCU institution ever has reached Sweet 16 of an NCAA Tournament, but following are additional HBCU road victories on a power league member's homecourt or neutral court during regular-season competition since South Carolina State stunned Miami (Fla.) and Penn State in 2004-05:
| Season | HBCU Winner on Road | Power League Member Loser | Competence of Power League School Incurring Defeat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-05 | South Carolina State 60 | Miami (Fla.) 50 | Hurricanes won at NCAA playoff-bound Florida. |
| 2004-05* | South Carolina State 63 | Penn State 43 | Nittany Lions lost by three points against 20-game winner Ohio State in Big Ten Tournament. |
| 2005-06 | Bethune-Cookman 75 | South Florida 68 | Bulls beat NCAA playoff-bound Georgetown in regular-season finale. |
| 2006-07 | Jackson State 71 | Rutgers 70 | Scarlet Knights twice defeated Cincinnati. |
| 2007-08 | Tennessee State 60 | Illinois 58 | Illini beat Oklahoma State and Missouri in nonconference competition before bowing to TSU. |
| 2008-09 | Morgan State 79 | DePaul 75 | Blue Demons defeated Cincinnati (18-14) in Big East Tournament. |
| 2008-09 | Morgan State 66 | Maryland 65 | Terrapins participated in NCAA Tournament. |
| 2009-10 | Morgan State 97 | Arkansas 94 | Razorbacks prevailed at Ole Miss, a 24-game winner. |
| 2010-11 | Texas Southern 66 | Oregon State 60 | Beavers beat 30-game winner Arizona. |
| 2011-12 | Tennessee State 64 | South Carolina 63 | Gamecocks upended Clemson, Alabama and Georgia. |
| 2012-13 | Alabama A&M 59 | Mississippi State 57 | Bulldogs beat Marshall Henderson-led Ole Miss and twice defeated Frank Martin-coached South Carolina. |
| 2012-13 | Southern (La.) 53 | Texas A&M 51 | Aggies won at Kentucky in inaugural SEC season and also beat NCAA playoff-bound Mizzou. |
| 2013-14 | Coppin State 78 | Oregon State 73 | Beavers bow to second HBCU school under coach Craig Robinson in last four seasons before winning at Maryland. |
| 2013-14 | North Carolina Central 82 | North Carolina State 72 | Wolfpack suffered first-ever defeat against a MEAC member. |
| 2013-14 | Texas Southern 90 | Temple 89 | Owls defeated UAB on neutral court by 21 points before the Blazers beat North Carolina, which whipped three PS Top 5 teams (Louisville, Michigan State and Kentucky). |
| 2014-15 | Delaware State 72 | Wake Forest 65 | Demon Deacons defeated North Carolina State and Pittsburgh. |
| 2015-16 | Alabama State 85 | Virginia Tech 82 | Hokies defeated eventual NCAA regional #1 seed Virginia. |
| 2015-16 | Southern (La.) 76 | Mississippi State 72 | Bulldogs defeated Arkansas by 32 points. |
| 2016-17 | Delaware State 79 | St. John's 72 | Red Storm won on road against NCAA playoff-bound Syracuse and Providence. |
| 2016-17 | Savannah State 93 | Oregon State 90 | Beavers beat NCAA Tournament-bound Utah. |
*Neutral court (Milwaukee).