Lexington, KY--The Howard University men's basketball team faces a stern test when it opens the 2022-23 season against the University of Kentucky at Rupp Arena on Monday at 6:30 pm. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.

This will be the first time that the Bison have played the Wildcats, who are ranked Number 4 in the preseason national rankings.

"We look at this as an opportunity to showcase our brand as Howard University and what we are building here at the University in the men's basketball program," says Howard head coach Kenneth Blakeney, who is in his fourth season at the helm.

Howard finished 16-13 last season, its first winning season in over two decades. The team went 2-0 in preseason exhibition games against Bowie State University and Multnomah University.

The team returns key players in Elijah Williams and Steve Settles III.

Hawkins, a 5-11 sophomore from Washington, DC, was a preseason All-MEAC first team selection 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 conference leaders in steals with almost three per game.

Blakeney regards Settles as one of the top three players in the MEAC. Settles, a 6-10, 185-pound junior from Glenarden, MD and DeMatha grad alkong with Williams, 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.

A preseason all-MEAC second team selection, 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.

Another key returnee is Khalil Robinson, a 6-0 guard 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 last season.

The Bison will rely heavily on newcomers Jelani Williams and Kobe Dickson (6-9, 250, Graduate), 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.

An X factor for the Bison could be Jordan Wood, a 6-9 forward from San Antonio, TX He is long and has the ability to knock down the 3-pointer.

The Wildcats, who finished 26-8 last season, come into the game having averaged 98 points in two exhibition games. Kentucky has its usual array of McDonald All Americans, led by forwards Oscar Tshiebwe (17.4 ppg), 15.1 rpg) and guards Sahvir Wheeler (10.1 ppg, 6.9 apg) and CJ Frederick (7.5 ppg) to go along with a host of talented players.

"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."