WASHINGTON (December 28, 2017) – Coach
Kevin Nickelberry and the Howard University Men's Basketball team end its nonconference schedule in Honolulu where the Hawai'i (UH) Rainbow Warriors await. Tip-off is set for Dec. 30 at midnight (ET) / Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. (HT).
Fans can follow all the action via
live stats,
SPECTRUM SPORTS, and
NBC Sports AM 1500.
MATCHUP PREVIEW
Howard (3-12) concludes its 16-game nonconference schedule in The Aloha State and begins conference play Wednesday (Jan. 3). Currently, the Bison have played 12 contests away from The Burr and search for their first true road win (0-11). Freshman
RJ Cole and sophomore
Charles Williams provide the one-two punch, combining for 40 points per game (PPG). Freshman
Zion Cousins produces a team-high 7.9 rebounds per outing.
"Hawai'i is another quality opponent that we will be playing on the road," said Nickelberry. "The number one thing we must do is get our bodies accustomed to the time change and our legs back from the long flight. From there, we need to continue to improve, which we have in recent games."
This season, UH (8-4) is 8-3 at home; however, Hawai'i has lost two out of their last three at the Sheriff Center. Jack Purchase ranks among the nation's best in assist-turnover ratio while Sheriff Drammeh and Brocke Stepteau are the Rainbow Warriors sharpshooters.
LAST TIMEOUT
On Dec. 21-22, HU competed at the Weststar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational where they took third overall.
Howard was unable to find a rhythm as they lost to UTEP, 69-56, Thursday night (Dec. 21). Cole and Williams combined for 29 points in a losing effort.
The next night (Dec. 22), Cole and Williams combined for 72 points and propelled the HU over UNC-Wilmington, 80-75, at the Weststar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational Consolation Game. Cole was selected to the All-Tournament Team after the tournament.
"We struggled earlier in the season with rebounding and defense," Nickelberry continued. "But I like how this young group stayed together, fought for each other and never quit."
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
On Jan. 3, the Bison start league play in Tallahassee, Fla. where the Florida A&M Rattlers await. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
