Indianapolis, IN—Howard University will be looking to get its first victory of the season when it takes on Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis on Friday at 2 pm in the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. The game is part of the 2KClassic for Wounded Soldiers Project and will be aired on ESPN3.
The Bison (0-2) are coming off a loss at Marquette on Monday in which they were in the game early but some foul trouble, missed free throws and turnovers proved to be too much and it allowed Marquette to pull away in the second half.
Playing without leading scorer, senior guard James "J-Byrd" Daniel, who is out for at least another four weeks with a high ankle sprain, Howard has had problems finding scoring to make up for the loss of the talented Daniel's 27 points per game.
"We just have to get better play and production from our guards," said Howard head coach Kevin Nickelberry. "We are getting into scoring droughts and it has hurt us. We have to learn to move the ball from side to side and make the defense work and to give us better looks."
The Bison, who shot 70 percent from the free throw line as a team last season, has struggled from the charity stripe through the first two games, hitting on only 50 percent (25 of 50). Some can be attributed to the absence of Daniel in the lineup. The sharpshooter from Hampton, VA, led the nation in both free throws and free throw attempts. More importantly, he is an 85 percent career shooter from there.
"We cannot use that as an excuse," said Nickelberry to his team after the opening loss to Michigan. "J-Byrd" is not magically going to come through those doors and shoot free throws for us. We have to have people step up."
As detrimental as the poor free throw shooting has been to the Bison, the turnovers have been equally troubling. The team has turned the ball over 34 times in the first two games and it has resulted in 43 points by the opponents.
"The problem with the turnovers has not allowed for us to get into our offense," said Nickelberry. "We have to clean up those areas up as we move forward."
In IUPUI, the Bison face a veteran team that is also looking for its first after losses to Eastern Kentucky and Michigan. The Jaguars (0-2) are averaging 76 points per game and led by senior guards Darell Combs (25.0 ppg) and Kellon Thomas (10.5 ppg) and senior forward Matt O'Leary (10.0 ppg), who combine for almost 46 points per game between them.
"IUPUI guard play is really good," noted Nickelberry. "They are experienced and they have transfers. We have to find a way of slowing them down and not letting them control the game."
The Bison have gotten consistent play from senior forward Solomon "Solo" Mangham, who leads the team with 12 points per game and senior guard Damon Collins, who averages 8 points but leads the team in rebounds and assists.
In the midst of the losses, the play of Charles Williams has been lost. But the 6-4 freshman from Richmond, VA, displayed poise and confidence in the first two games as a reserve. He is averaging 7.5 points per game.
"He has a lot of confidence in himself," said Nickelberry. "We are looking for him to progress each game a step at a time."
GAME NOTES: The two teams have played each other once in a similar tournament. In that game, the Bison prevailed, 57-47 at Burr Gymnasium on December 15, 2014. /documents/2016/11/17//MBBALL_Notes_3.pdf?id=473
NEXT UP: Howard will take on the winner or loser of the Eastern Michigan-Gardner Webb game on Saturday at either 11 am or 2 pm.
