Baltimore, MD--Consistency will be what Howard University head coach Kevin Nickelberry will be looking for when the men's basketball team takes on the retrievers of the University of Maryland Baltimore County at 7:30 in the RAC Center.
 
In the Bison losses, they have fallen behind early and have rallied only to fall short.  In their two victories, they have jumped out to large lead and cruised the rest of the way.
 
Howard (2-3) is still looking for chemistry.  James "J-Byrd" Daniel leads the team in scoring at 16.0 per game.  James "JT" Miller averages 9.2 per game and James "JC" Carlton ranks third with 8.6 per game and he is the team's leading recbounder.
               
The triumvirates have all had their moments at various times, but have yet to put it altogether.  Miller is coming off a season with a nagging injury and is beginning to come around to full health while the talented Carlton is trying to get into the flow after sitting out two years following his transfer from College of Charleston.
               
In the Retrievers (0-3), Howard is facing yet another team on the road that will be playing their home opener.  The Bison dropped tough losses at the College of William and Mary and at Radford.
               
UMBC is coached by former Bison standout and assistant coach Aki Thomas.  The Retrievers are led by guards Wayne Sparrow and Rodney Elliott and forward Cody Joyce.  Sparrow leads the team in scoring at 12.3, Elliott, the American East Rookie of the Year last year, runs the offense while Joyce provided scoring and rebounding (11.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg).
               
The Bison bench has begun to come on.  Jared Norsworthy, Damon Collins and Keon Hill have all made contributions.
 
NEXT UP: Howard hosts Gwynedd Mercy University this coming Saturday at 4 pm in Burr Gymnasium