The Howard University men's basketball team opens the 2022-23 season at the University of Kentucky on November 7 with high expectation after coming off a 16-13 campaign. That was a milestone of sorts and motivation for a program that had not had a winning season in two decades.

Those expectations are fueled by a nice blend of all-conference performers, solid veteran transfers, and a couple of promising freshmen.

"I feel that the success that we had last year and the group of young men that we have on this team helps us establish a culture and style of play that is effective," says Howard Head Men's Basketball Coach Kenneth Blakeney, in his fourth season at the helm.  "I did some research and we ended up with the highest winning percentage among all the teams in the DMV last season. That was the first time that has happened since the 1986-87 season."

The Bison have been picked to finish third in the MEAC preseason poll behind Norfolk State, last year's champions, and North Carolina Central.

Blakeney regards Steve Settles, III, as one of the top three players in the MEAC. Settles, a 6-10, 185-pound junior from Glenarden, MD, has shown marked progress since his freshman season.  He has the ballhandling skills, the defensive skills, and improved shooting ability to be a huge factor in the Bison's success. He is called "Silky Smooth" for a reason.

A second team all-MEAC selection last year, Settle averaged almost 14 points and over five rebounds per game to go along with 22 blocks.  He has a tremendous upside and could become an impact player in the program. He has been named to the preseason All-MEAC second team.

"Last year was a good year for the program, but we feel that we left something on the table and have some unfinished business," says Settle, who like Coach Blakeney and Elijah Hawkins are alums of DeMatha Catholic High School. "We have a better team than last year in my opinion. We have the talent, depth, experience and versatility to take the program to another level."

While many college basketball teams look for that one effective point guard/floor general, Howard has the luxury of having two in Hawkins and Khalil Robinson.

Hawkins is a 5-11 sophomore from Washington, DC, who was named the MEAC Rookie of the Year and to the all-conference second team along with Settle, after averaging 13 points and a league-high 5.6 assists per game. He shot 80-percent from the free-throw line and ranked among the conference leaders in steals with almost three per game.

"Pound for pound, he is one of the toughest guards that I have been around," notes Blakeney, who played with some premier guards as a prep at DeMatha and on the collegiate level at Duke. "We are going to be as good as he carries us. He has such presence that he changes who we are. I feel he is one of the top seven players in our league. I believe in him." Hawkins has been selected to the preseason All-MEAC first team, making him the only sophomore named.

Added Settle in his assessment of Hawkins, "E had a good year as a freshman but he is going to be even more effective. I can see in practice and over the summer how much he has matured."

Robinson is a 6-0 junior from Columbia, SC. He started for two years and at one time handled all the ballhandling and floor leadership before Hawkins' arrival. He has had some injury issues, but he showed how valuable he is to the team when he and Hawkins teamed up to play together in the backcourt down the stretch.

"Khalil is the second recruit that we brought in," notes Blakeney. "He comes from a winning program in South Carolina and has a very high basketball IQ.  We saw last year what he brings when he and Elijah teamed up.  It gives us the luxury of having two players who allow us to play 94 feet."

The Bison will rely heavily on Jelani Williams and Kobe Dickson (6-9, 250, Graduate Studennt), to provide leadership and stability to the team. Williams is a 6-5 transfer from Penn who brings versatility. He can score, handle the ball, rebound and defend. Williams had an outstanding summer in the Kenner Basketball League at Georgetown University.

Notes Blakeney, "Jelani has to play 28 to 34 minutes for us. His ability to play off the ball and his presence allows us to be more effective in what we want to do at both ends of the floor."

He continues, "Kobe is also one of those players with a high IQ. He is a great passer and he makes things easier for Elijah and Khalil." Dickson transferred from Cornell and is a native of Holcomb, KS.

Among other players of note who will factor in the team's success are Jordan Wood, a 6-9 forward from San Antonio, TX and Marcus Dockery, a 6-2 transfer (University of Maryland) from Washington, DC who is an outstanding shooter.

As for incoming freshmen, Blakeney is also very high on Shy Odom and Osi Okojie. Odom, who Blakeney feels is a strong candidate for Rookie of the Year honors, is a 6-6 swing man from Chatsworth, CA and Okojie is a 6-5 native of Brampton, Canada.

The Bison will find out early as often who they are. They open the season in Lexington, KY on November 7 against the Kentucky Wildcats, who has been projected as of the top teams in the country. The schedule also includes games against three opponents from the Atlantic 10 and the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In all, Howard will play 17 non-conference games between November 7 and December 29.

"Obviously playing at Kentucky to open the season is a big deal," says Blakeney. "We are trying to change the culture and build a strong and consistent program here at Howard and the best way to test if you are moving in that direction is to play quality programs. The schedule is challenging and that is not by design. We were having problems getting opponents. Some turned us down. But when you look at it, it's going to benefit us the in the long run when we play conference games in short spans."

Blakeney has put together a coaching staff that he feels is compatible with him and his philosophy.

Assistant Coach Tyler Thornton, who came to the Hilltop with Blakeney, played locally at Gonzaga High School and later at Duke; Associate Head Coach Rod Balanis, who is in his second year, played at DeMatha with Blakeney and they coached together at the University of Notre Dame under future Hall of Famer Mike Brey; Steve Ongley and Daniel G. Marks are in their first seasons with the program. Ongley, who coached at Columbia University along with Blakeney, is known for his success with academic support, while Marks is adept with marketing and branding.

Blakeney is excited about the newly installed basketball floor in Burr Gymnasium and the 20-year deal with Jordan Brand. There are also plans to install a new practice court and a new lockerroom in the next year.

"These developments help us expand our brand here at Howard University," Blakeney said. "It helps in recruiting. Young recruits who may not have considered Howard will now look at us an option in their decision making."