WASHINGTON, DC --- Howard University will take on Harvard University in one of the more intriguing matchups in recent Howard history.

The game tips off at 12 noon in Burr Gymnasium and it will be broadcast on WHUT, Channel 32 as well as a live stream (www.hubison.com/watch) for $9.95. Charlie Neal will do the play-by-play and Jim Lewis the color commentary. It will also be carried on Satellite radio on Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN) at www.hsrn.com.  Mark Gray will do the play by play and Kelvin Bridgers the color commentary.

This will mark the first time that two prestigious institutions have met in the District. The only other time that they met was in 2013 in Cambridge, MA and the Crimson prevailed, 73-44 as part of a tournament.

The Bison (8-9, 2-1 in the MEAC) played their last game on Monday at Delaware State but the game was suspended with 15:41 in the second half and the Bison leading 41-38 at the time. It will be completed on Wednesday, January 20.

It will be a matchup between a Harvard team that is a veteran group and is expected to challenge for the Ivy League title.  The Crimson (8-8, 1-0 in the Ivy League) are coached by Tommy Amaker, a local product who played his prep ball at W.T. Woodson and collegiately at Duke.

The Harvard starting five has been the same for every game.  Seven of the players average between 7.8 points and 13.4 points per game.  As a team, the Crimson is shooting 46 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range.

"It is certainly going to be a great challenge for us," said a wary Howard head coach Kevin Nickelberry.  "Their program is where we aspire to be.  They have been in the NCAA tournament on a consistent basis.  Tommy has done a great job of taking a strong academic school that is now also recognized for its success on the basketball court the past five years.  Win or lose, it will be a great barometer for us in terms of where we are and how far we need to go."

The Bison will continue to rely on junior guard James "J-Byrd" Daniel, who leads the nation in scoring with almost 30 points per game and rapidly improving junior center Marcel Boyd, who is almost averaging a double-double on the season for most of their scoring.

Against the defensive-minded Harvard team (allowing only 64 points per game), however, Howard will have to get contributions from others including junior guard forward Damon Collins, junior forward Tyler Stone, sophomore guard Dalique Mingo and junior guard/forward Kofi Andoh.

"With "JT" (James Miller) and "Solo" (Solomon Mangham) out with injuries, we have to have others step up," said Nickelberry.  "Harvard is very physical and they are 6-8, 6-9 and 6-9 from small forward to center.  We have to match their physicality if we are to have a chance."

NEXT UP
Howard travels to Dover, DE on Wednesday to complete the last 15:41 of the game.  That gets underway at 4 pm.
 
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