Courtesy of Howard Athletics:
Howard University men’s basketball team prepares for a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) matchup against the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks. Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m. inside Burr Gymnasium.
The Bison and Hawks will play in the “This Game Is No Secret” match commemorating the legacy of John McLendon.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Bison Nation can follow all the action via live video and/or live stats.
Tickets are still available for Saturday’s showdown. Grab your tickets at www.BisonTickets.com.
COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Effective January 15, 2022, in compliance with the District of Columbia’s Vaccination DC policy, all guests ages 12 years and older are required to show proof of vaccination to enter Burr Gymnasium.
PLEASE NOTE: Burr Gymnasium will be operating at 50-percent capacity during events until further notice.
Guests aged 12 and older must provide proof of having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by January 15, 2022 to enter. For those taking a two-dose vaccine, Pfizer or Moderna, proof of a second dose will be required for entry beginning February 15, 2022.
MATCHUP PREVIEW
Saturday’s clash will be the 108th meeting between Howard and Maryland Eastern Shore with the Bison leading the all-time series, 64-43.
HOWARD
HU (8-10, 2-3 MEAC) returns to The Burr before traveling to Dover, Del., to face the Delaware State Hornets (Feb. 7).
Howard leads the MEAC in assists per game (15.2) while shooting nearly 45-percent from long range, which ranks 19th in the nation.
Graduate guard Kyle Foster (Hampton, Va.) leads the Bison pack, sitting first in the country with a 50-percent (65-of-130) three-point field goal percentage. He sits second in the conference for scoring (15.1 points per game).
Six-time MEAC Rookie of the Week freshman Elijah Hawkins (Washington) keeps a steady authority, ranking first in the conference assists per game (5.9).
Redshirt sophomore Steve Settle, III (Glenarden, Md.) tops the league in field goal percentage, shooting 50-percent (91-of-177) from the floor.
MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
Maryland Eastern Shore presents a strong defense, ranking eight nationally in forced turnovers and sixth in steals per game.
The Hawks (7-9, 2-3 MEAC) enter Saturday defeating Morgan State Monday (Jan. 31), 79-72.
This season, Maryland Eastern Shore leads the league with an average of 10.63 steals per game.
Dom London and Zion Styles prove to be a dynamic duo, combining for nearly 21 points per game.
THIS GAME IS NO SECRET HISTORY
In 1944, during the era of Jim Crow, McLendon’s North Carolina College team participated in “The Secret Game,” a match against a team from Duke University, which was the first intercollegiate basketball game where blacks and whites competed on the same court. The team defeated Duke in an 88-44 victory.
The inaugural Coach McLendon Classic was played in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) in 2016. The game was created to showcase Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
JOHN MCCLENDON
In 1940, John McLendon started his head coaching career at North Carolina Central University. In 1954, he went on to become the first African-American coach to win an integrated national championship with the Tennessee A & I Tigers (now known as Tennessee State University).
McLendon went on to lead the team in three consecutive NAIA Division I Men’s Tournament in 1957, 1958 and 1959.
He made history in more ways than one as he was the first person to be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of fame as both coach and contributor. In 2012, CollegeInsider.com established the Coach John McLendon Award, which is presented annually to the top coach in Collegiate Basketball.
“Anytime we can recognize Coach John McLendon is an incredible honor,” said Howard men’s basketball head coach Kenneth Blakeney. “His commitment, sacrifice and dedication to the game of basketball should not be forgotten, but should be celebrated.”
ERACISM CAMPAIGN
“Eracism,” is a social inclusion movement committed to bringing forth change through education, awareness and action with current and former college basketball coaches leading the way.
Eracism was created by Joe Dwyer (College Insider, Inc.), Arthur Hightower (Los Angeles Chargers), Angela Lento (College Insider, Inc.) and Gary Stewart (Stevenson University and Vice President of the National Association of Basketball Coaches).
LAST TIMEOUT
Monday (Jan. 31), the Bison suffered a tough road loss at South Carolina State, 58-55, inside the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.
Despite 10 Bison scoring in the contest, Howard recorded a season-low 55 points on the night. Foster was the lone Bison in double figures, tallying 13 points and three rebounds in a losing effort.
Graduate Randall Brumant (Houston) pulled down a season-best 12 boards in the loss.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
On Feb. 8, Howard plays Gallaudet in their final nonconference game of the season. Game-time is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside The Burr.
