Washington, DC--The Howard University men's basketball team is hoping that the home atmosphere in Burr Gymnasium will be just what the doctor ordered when it takes on a tough College of William and Mary team in a 5 pm matchup on Saturday in Burr Gymnasium.

The young and undermanned Bison (2-6) have played six games in 13 days, all on the road, against some of the better basketball teams in college basketball.

"It is definitely a learning process," admitted Howard head coach Kevin Nickelberry. "We have played against teams who will likely be strong contenders to win their respective leagues, teams that have a lot of experience. Hopefully, it will soon start to pay off for us as we learn from each game and learn how to play together and through different situations."

Starting with the first game of the six-game road swing at Old Dominion, the young Howard team comprised of 10 new players, took its lumps. But over the last three games of the tour, they begin to show marked improvement.

"You have to understand that the physicality of the game for them along with fatigue are real factors," explained Nickelberry. "Last year this time, they were playing against high school competition and now they are playing against a different level of competition."

He added. "But I really like this group and what they represent. They are resilient. When we started the season, we had depth. But the injuries have played a role in terms of fatigue and foul trouble. When we get James Miller, James Carlton and Emmanuel Okoro back, we should be in better shape."

In the past two games against South Dakota State and Texas Southern, the Bison were in both games, but in the second half, fouls became the factor that Nickelberry alluded to and both opponents capitalized. South Dakota State converted on 18 of 21 second half free throws to win by 12 and Texas Southern hit 16 of 17 in the second stanza to win by nine.

In William and Mary (3-3), Howard faces yet another challenge from a seasoned team. The Tribe start three seniors and a junior.

"This will be another good test for us," he said. "This group just beat Rutgers and dominated VMI by 30. They have been together in the system for two or three years and they know each other. They are playing with a lot of confidence. They were like we are now three years ago, but they have progressed. That is what we are looking to be in a couple of years."