Liberty returns home tonight to face the Howard Bison. Can the Flames rebound from Saturday’s loss to Austin Peay? Find out in the Howard University Primer.
Kevin Nickelberry is in his 4th season as head coach of the Howard Bison
1. Team introduction. The Howard Bison compete in the MEAC and are currently 3-11 on the season. The Bison had an 11 game losing streak prior to their win on Sunday over a fellow MEAC member in Delaware State. Howard defeated DSU 64-62 in overtime. The Bison’s other 2 wins came in their first 2 games of the season when they defeated sub-DI opponents Washington College and Gwynedd Mercy. Howard has losses to Old Dominion, Harvard, Pittsburgh, Houston, William & Mary, among others. In their lone common opponent, the Bison lost at home to William & Mary 84-79 in overtime on November 30th. As you remember, the Flames lost to William & Mary 84-72 in the 2nd game of the season in Williamsburg on November 12th. Howard has yet to win on the road as they are currently 0-9. The Bison are currently ranked #347 out of 351 Division I teams according to KenPom.
2. Offense. Howard is one of the worst offensive teams in all of Division I. The Bison are scoring just 61.7 points per game which ranks 342nd. Howard shoots the ball a shade under 38% from the field which ranks 345th. The Bison are led by James Daniel who scores 19.8 points per game and Prince Okoroh who scores 15.2 points per game.
3. Defense. The Bison are allowing over 74 points per game to their opponents. Opponents are shooting 45.6% from the field and 35% from 3. Howard has been outrebounded by 1.2 rebounds per game.
4. Player Turnover. Howard lost their top 3 scorers from a season ago in Mike Phillips, Calvin Thompson, and Simuel Frazier. This trio combined to score 31.3 points of the team’s 52 points per game. Phillips was also the team’s top rebounder as he averaged 6.9 boards per game. Frazier was the Bison’s leading assist man.
5. Possible Starters. A look at the likely starting line-up for the Bison…
Prince Okoroh
Guard: Keon Hill (#10), a 5’9″, 170-pound Freshman, got the start at point in their win over Delaware State on Sunday. In the game, Hill played 38 minutes while scoring 7 points, dishing out 2 assists, and pulling down 3 rebounds. On the season, Hill is averaging 3.6 points, 1.79 assists, and 1.1 rebounds per game.
Guard: James Miller (#33), a 6’4″, 185-pound Freshman, has started 2 games for the Bison including Sunday’s win over Delaware State. Against DSU, Miller scored 15 points including 3 3-pointers. He is averaging 7.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in his 6 games played this season.
Forward: Solomon Mangham (#20), a 6’7″, 210-pound Freshman, has started 12 of the Bison’s 14 games this season. He is averaging 7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
Forward: Prince Okoroh (#3), a 6’5″, 220-pound Junior, is one of Howard’s top players. Okoroh is averaging 15.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He has led the team in scoring on 5 different occasions including a 40 point outburst against William & Mary.
Center: Marcel Boyd (#5), a 6’10”, 230-pound Freshman, is the 4th Freshman the Bison are likely to start. Boyd is averaging 5.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
6. Key Reserves. Some other key contributors…
Guard: James Daniel (#11), a 5’11”, 165-pound freshman from Pheobus High School in Hampton, is the team’s leading scorer at 19.8 points per game. Daniel missed the Delaware State game, and his status for tonight’s contest is uncertain.
Center: Oliver Ellison (#44), a 6’9″, 216-pound Sophomore, has started 10 games for the Bison. Ellison is averaging 2.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
7. Prediction. The Bison are simply not a good team. They have lost their 11 games by an average of 19 points per game. Their only Division I win came against 2-8 Delaware State. If the Flames are to contend for a Big South Championship this season, they must take care of business at home against one of the worst teams in Division I. Liberty 71 Howard 60
