After an exodus of talent and infusion of new faces, Howard’s men basketball team is enduring an up-and-down start to the new season.
The latest outing was a 93-56 loss Sunday at No. 5 Duke, alma mater of Bison head coach Kenny Blakeney.
Trying to win back-to-back games for the first time this season, Howard fell to 3-4 as it continues adjusting to a dozen new players on the roster. There is a lot of unfamiliarity and youth as they learn what it means to be Bison.
“We have established a culture the past four to five years that is one of the best cultures in the country,” Blakeney said earlier this season. Besides learning how Howard plays, newcomers are getting lessons in work around social justice and community service.
Graduate guard Bryce Harris is a point of emphasis this season after missing most of last season due to injury. He’s expected to provide leadership in how the team communicates and develops chemistry. Harris has led the team in scoring each game, including 15 points against Duke (seven points below his season average).
The Bison have recorded wins this year against Niagara, Alcorn State and UDC, but suffered losses against Stetson, Grambling State and Missouri prior to the Duke loss.
On the plus side, they’ve yet to lose two consecutive games.
Howard had reached the NCAA tournament in back-to-back years but failed to make it a three-peat last season, going 12-20. The future looked bright with freshman star Blake Harper, who averaged 19.5 points per game, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists, making him the first player to win Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the same season.
Unfortunately for the Bison, Harper transferred to Creighton in the Big East Conference. He leads the Blue Jays in points (13.0), rebounds (7.5) and 3-point shooting (50%).
The D.C. native said he enjoys his new environment in Omaha, Nebraska. “It’s been exciting,” Blake told Hurrdat Sports. “It’s a new challenge, new opportunity for me. I love the city. It’s nice and peaceful, a lot of different things from back home.”
Blakeney was back at his old stomping grounds Sunday and enjoyed the experience despite the loss. He played on the Blue Devils’ national championship teams in 1991 and 1992.
“This place is really special to me,” Blakeney told reporters after the game. “I walked around, took pictures, watched the soccer game. … I love this place. This is home.”
Howard returns to action Wednesday at 2 p.m. when it faces St. Mary’s (Md.) at Burr Gymnasium. The Bison will try to avoid their first two-game losing streak this season as Blakeney becomes more familiar with his new squad.
Key newcomers include junior guard Alex Cotton, a North Texas transfer who’s second in scoring (11.3 ppg), and junior guard Cam Gillus, a Lehigh transfer who leads Howard in assists per game (4.4). Sophomore forward Travelle Bryson had 13 points against Duke.
“We have a lot of pieces that can help us,” Blakeney said.
Tinkering with the rotation and player combinations to maximize Howard’s depth is his challenge in the season’s early going.
