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I remember walking into Burr Gymnasium last November, watching the Howard Bison warm up before their season opener. There was something different in the air this year—a sense of purpose that went beyond the usual preseason optimism. As someone who's followed college basketball for over fifteen years, I've learned to recognize when a program is on the verge of something special. This Howard team, despite their youth, carries that distinctive energy that championship contenders often possess in their building phases.
What struck me most during that first game was how coach Kenny Blakeney had instilled what I'd call the "NSD spirit" throughout his roster. For those unfamiliar with the term, it comes from a Filipino basketball concept meaning "Never Say Die"—a mentality that's becoming central to Howard's identity this season. When I spoke with several players after their convincing 78-65 victory over George Washington, sophomore guard Elijah Hawkins mentioned how Coach Blakeney constantly emphasizes mental resilience. "He tells us that talent gets you in the door, but mentality wins championships," Hawkins shared. This philosophy appears to be taking root, especially considering how the Bison have closed out tight games this season.
The statistical improvements are impossible to ignore. Howard's defensive rating has improved from 102.3 last season to 94.1 this year—a dramatic leap that places them among the top 50 defensive teams nationally. Their turnover margin has swung from -2.1 to +3.4 per game, and they're grabbing 36.2 rebounds per contest compared to last season's 31.8. These aren't just incremental changes; they're transformational improvements that speak to both player development and strategic adjustments. Having analyzed basketball metrics for various publications since 2012, I can confidently say that improvements of this magnitude typically indicate a program that's figured something fundamental out.
What makes Howard's ascent particularly impressive is their roster composition. With seven underclassmen among their thirteen scholarship players, this is indeed a young team that's learning on the fly. I've always believed that the most dangerous teams in March are those that peak at the right time, and Howard's gradual improvement throughout this season suggests they're on that trajectory. Their November shooting percentage of 42.3% has climbed to 47.1% in conference play, while their assist-to-turnover ratio has improved from 1.1 to 1.4. These numbers might seem dry to casual fans, but they reveal a team that's growing more cohesive and efficient with each passing week.
The MEAC conference presents both challenges and opportunities for championship aspirations. While the conference doesn't receive the national attention of power leagues, it has produced formidable NCAA tournament teams in recent years. North Carolina Central's first-round scare against Texas Tech in 2022 demonstrated that MEAC teams can compete with anyone when playing their best basketball. Howard's current 15-7 record (7-2 in conference) positions them well for both a regular-season title and favorable seeding in the conference tournament—the most likely path to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1992.
From my perspective, having covered mid-major programs throughout my career, Howard's blueprint contains all the elements we typically see in teams that make surprising March runs. They have an emerging star in sophomore Shy Odom (14.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG), reliable three-point shooting from Jordan Wood (39.2% from deep), and perhaps most importantly, a defensive identity that travels well. I've long maintained that offensive talent can win games, but defensive commitment wins championships, especially in tournament settings where unfamiliar opponents require adaptive game plans.
The cultural foundation being built extends beyond the court. When I attended practice last week, I noticed small details—players staying after to work on free throws, coaches emphasizing proper close-out techniques during defensive drills, the entire team watching extra film sessions. These are the unsexy building blocks of championship programs that often go unnoticed until the wins start piling up. Coach Blakeney has created an environment where accountability isn't just encouraged—it's expected.
Looking at their remaining schedule, I project Howard finishing the regular season at 21-9, which would represent their first 20-win season since 1987. More importantly, their current NET ranking of 134 should continue to climb if they handle business against conference opponents. While they likely need to win the MEAC tournament to secure an NCAA bid, their improved roster depth gives them a legitimate chance to win three games in three days—the exact scenario where that "Never Say Die" mentality becomes most valuable.
What excites me most about this Howard team isn't just their current success, but their sustainability. With only one senior in the regular rotation, the core of this group should return next season, providing continuity that's rare in today's transfer portal era. Having watched programs like Loyola Chicago and Florida Gulf Coast make their Cinderella runs, I see similar ingredients here—strong culture, defensive identity, and peaking at the right time.
As the regular season winds down, Howard basketball represents one of the more compelling stories in college basketball. They're proving that championship contention isn't just about recruiting rankings or budget sizes—it's about building something meaningful that players believe in. When I spoke with Coach Blakeney last month, he told me something that stuck with me: "We're not just building a team, we're building a standard." That standard, combined with their emerging talent and resilient mentality, makes Howard a team nobody will want to face in March.