Tallahassee, FL—The Howard University men's basketball begins an important road swing tomorrow when it plays Florida A&M University at 6 pm and then follows with a game at Bethune Cookman on Monday at 7:30 pm.
 
The Bison (8-10, 2-2 MEAC) have an opportunity to get the .500 mark and more importantly, stay within striking distance of North Carolina Central and Norfolk State in the conference race.  NCCU is undefeated and Norfolk State has one loss.
           
"Any time we go on the road, it's challenging," said Howard head coach Kevin Nickelberry.  "It's no different in league play.  As we have done all year, we are taking this season on game at a time and our focus is on doing what's necessary to have a successful out come against FAMU."
           
The Rattlers (0-18, 0-5 MEAC) are looking for their first win of the season under new head coach Byron Samuels.  Florida A&M has had problems scoring (only averaging 54 points) and stopping people from scoring (allowing 75 points per game).  They appear to be just what the doctor ordered, but Nickelberry is not buying it.
           
"It's never good to play a team in their place that has its back against the wall," Nickelberry noted.  "I'm sure they will come out and play motivated basketball, so we will have to match their intensity to come out with a win."
           
In their last outing, the Bison got career highs of 27 from James "JC" Carlton and 24 from James "JT" Miller in a disappointing 79-76 loss to Delaware State on January 12.
           
Team leading scorer, James "J-Byrd" Daniel, III added 15 as the Big Three combined for 66 points.  Despite the loss, Nickelberry was encouraged.
           
"I think that JC (Carlton) is finally beginning to become comfortable and I like what I see in JT and how he is playing," said Nickelberry.  "J-Byrd" has not shot the ball well, but he has been doing other things that are equally important."  Carlton, a 6-8  senior forward, sat out the last two seasons.
           
Howard defeated FAMU last year in Tallahassee and has won two of the last three while the Bison fell to Bethune Cookman last year in Daytona Beach.  A sweep would do a lot to send a message that the Bison are in fact a contender.
           
"In league play, you need to put a positive run of wins together if you want to move up in the standings," he said.  "Doing that gives you a chance for some separation.  To do that, you must win some games on the road and take care of business at home.  This is a crucial stretch for us to see who we are."
 
GAME NOTES:  A sweep would give the Bison 10 wins, marking only the second time that the team has posted double digit wins in the past decade…Howard has not been over .500 in league play this late in the season since 2004…Oliver Ellison is doubtful for the game while Daniel will be a game time decision.

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