Baltimore, MD—The Howard University men's basketball team will be looking to end its two-game skid when it takes on the Eagles of Coppin State on Saturday at 4 pm at the Physical Education Center.  It will not be an easy task.  When the two teams met in Washington, DC back in January, the Bison were able to hang on for a 71-69 win as James "J-Byrd" Daniel, III and James "JC" Carlton each scored 19 points.
                 
"That was a game that we were fortunate to win," recalls Howard Coach Kevin Nickelberry.  "Almost all of the games have been close because they have a great equalizer in their ability to shoot the three pointer."
                 
The Eagles (5-19, 4-7 MEAC) dropped a 73-70 decision at home on Monday that snapped a two-game win streak.  They should be especially motivated to take on Howard (12-12, 6-4 MEAC) after the close loss to the Bison.  As added incentive, Coppin State will be playing before a homecoming crowd as well as a special ceremony to honor the 1997 team that defeated the University of South Carolina in the NCAA Tournament.
                 
"I have been trying all week to prepare them for the adversity we will face on Saturday," noted Nickelberry.
                 
The matchup is intriguing.  The Eagles are one of the top three-point shooting teams in the country while the Bison rank among the MEAC's best at defending the trey.  Coppin State is led by Sterling Smith (12.6 ppg), Arnold Fripp (11.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and Tariq Cephas (11.6 ppg, 5.0 apg).
                 
"In the last couple of games, they have done a great job of spacing out their opponents by sometimes using five guards," explained Nickelberry.
                 
The Bison are coming off a tough overtime loss at Hampton on Monday.  In that game, Howard dominated in the points in the paint, in points off turnovers and in bench production (26-10).
 
But the Bison allowed the Pirates to connect on 10 of 23 from beyond the arc.
                 
"I'm confident we can bounce back from two emotional losses in another tough atmosphere," he said.
                 
The Eagles are allowing opponents 80 points per game and 49 percent from the field.  That should work to the advantage to Howard, which has plenty of firepower in Daniel (16.7 ppg), Carlton (16.5 ppg) and James "JT" Miller (12.5 ppg).
                 
"This game will come down to whoever can invoke their style on the game," he said.  "We obviously want to make it a physical inside-out game."


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