CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (December 17, 2022) - On paper, the Howard University-Harvard University men's basketball game is just another contest on their respective nonconference schedules. But this matchup is about far more than just a game of who wins or loses. The game tips off at noon Sunday (Dec. 18) in the Lavietes Pavilion and will be broadcast on ESPN+. 
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
Bison Nation can follow all the action on ESPN+. Live stats will also be available.
 
MATCHUP HISTORY
 
THE SERIES: A year ago (Dec. 21, 2021), Harvard defeated the Bison, 77-69, in Boston and leads the series, 6-0.  The last three games have been decided by an average of eight points.
 
Sunday's showdown features two of the top academic institutions in the country, facing off on the hardwood for the seventh time. It is the Ivy League versus the HBCU Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. And in case you needed more intrigue, there is the family factor.
 
Harvard University's Head Coach Tommy Amaker, Howard Head Coach Kenneth Blakeney and Bison assistant coach Tyler Thornton all played at Duke under the legendary Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K).
 
Blakeney also served on the staff at Harvard under Amaker.
 
"This is a mutual relationship that is real," said Blakeney, in his fourth season at the helm. "For each of us to come through the Duke program and now serve as educators at world-class institutions is pretty cool."
 
"I was an assistant at Duke when Kenny was a recruit," recalls Amaker, who played at W.T. Woodson High School where he was an All-American before going to Duke. "I remember that class with him and it was exceptional. They went on to win our first NCAA Championship and then another later."
 
He continued, "With Tyler, I was not there when he arrived at Duke but it was always interesting to hear people compare his game to mine. He has a bright future in this profession. What they have done is remarkable. When the game is over, regardless of the outcome, we will be able to chat and have some fun. Those are the moments you cherish."
 
As for the history of the game, it all started in when former Howard Head Coach Kevin Nickelberry and Amaker agreed to play the game to honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on his birthday.
 
"That's how it started out," recalls Amaker. "It turned out to be more than we anticipated. We got a chance to visit Howard, which was the first time that many of the players had visited an HBCU campus. And I recall that first time. (VP and HU alum) Kamala Harris announced her candidacy and she came to the game afterwards. Since that time, it has taken on a life of its own. We are now playing each other in football and that was borne out of that series of events."
 
Amaker also pointed to the fact that several African-Americans have their undergrad or graduate degrees from both institutions.
 
It is also important to note that Harvard just named Claudine Gay as its first African American President.
 
Yet, another nugget is that Bison freshman forward Shy Odom will be returning home for the first time to play in his college career.
 
"Being back home is going to be an amazing experience for me," says Odom, who is from Chestnut Hills, Mass., just outside of Boston. I have not been able to visit due to my schedule so to play before family, friends and loved ones is going to be exciting."
 
MATCHUP PREVIEW
 
As for the game, the Bison are coming off a 71-59 home win over FIU Tuesday (Dec. 13) that snapped a three-game skid. In that game, the Bison got 18 points from junior forward Steve Settle, III to lead four players in double figures. It was probably the team's best all-around effort of the season, including an outstanding performance from Odom.
 
Harvard (7-3) last played on Dec. 4 and defeated Tufts, 76-59, at home. The Crimson feature a balanced attack led by senior forward Chris Ledlum (19.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, team-leading 20 steals), freshman forward Chisom Okpara (9.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and junior guard Sam Silverstein (8.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg).
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
Howard hosts Mount ST. Mary's Wednesday (Dec. 21) at 2 p.m. in Burr Gymnasium.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.