DES MOINES, IOWA (March 15, 2023) – Howard University men's basketball team will make its first NCAA March Madness appearance since 1992 as they take on No. 3 overall Kansas in the first round Thursday (March 16) at 2 p.m. (ET)/1 p.m. (CT).
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
Bison Nation can watch all the action on TBS.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
In their most recent outing, the Bison defeated their conference rival Norfolk State, 65-64, in the MEAC championship Saturday (March 11).
 
In the game, graduate student Jelani Williams (Washington) led Howard with 20 points off the bench.
 
After the contest, MEAC Rookie of the Year Shy Odom (Roxbury, Mass.) was named tournament most outstanding player. The Massachusetts native and second-year Bison guard Bryce Harris (Brentwood, N.Y.) were selected to the All-Tournament Team.
 
MATCHUP PREVIEW
 
ALL-TIME SERIES
 
HU takes on the Jayhawks (27-7, 13-5 Big 12) in a rematch of the 1992 NCAA Tournament First Round. In that bout, the Jayhawks defeated HU, 100-67.
 
HOWARD
 
HU (22-12, 11-3 MEAC) has had quite the historic season: earning their first NCAA Tournament in 31 years and first outright Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) regular season title since the 1986-1987 season.
 
Howard is led by Odom, Williams (All-MEAC Third Team), All-MEAC First Team selection Elijah Hawkins (Washington) and All-MEAC Second Team honoree Steve Settle, III (Glenarden, Md.).
 
MEAC Coach of the Year Kenneth Blakeney is in his fourth season at the helm and recently was named HBCU All-Stars Ben Jobe NCAA Division I National Coach of the Year.
 
KANSAS
 
Kansas is led by Associated Press All-American Jalen Wilson, averaging 20.1 points and 8.4 rebounds, along with Dajaun Harris Jr. averaging 6.2 assists and 2.1 steals.
 
Jayhawks' head coach Bill Self is in his 20^th season, guiding the program to four Final Four appearances and a pair of National Championships (2008 & 2022).
 
Kansas is making its 50 NCAA Tournament appearances.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
With a victory, Howard will meet the winner between No. 8 Arkansas and No. 9 Illinois Saturday (March 18).
 
For more information, visit meacsports.com or the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.