But since joining the program in May 2019, Blakeney has made it a priority to change that.
From hanging out on the sidelines in Balenciaga sweaters and edgy Jordans to embracing basketball fast brands, the change is undeniable. Three years later, Bison has already signed a five-star recruit, raised enough money to build a practice court, signed Jordan to a lucrative contract with his brand, and posted a winning record for the first time since 2002. Achieved.
“It’s about creating an image and an identity that you can wear your hat on,” Blakeney said. The idea that we can’t do it has been accepted for too long. We can do it here and we will do it here.”
Entering its fourth year, Bison has real hopes.
Last season, Howard was seeded 2nd in the MEAC tournament, but failed to make the postseason after being upset by Coppin State in the first round.
“Last year was a good start for us, but obviously not the way we wanted it to end, losing to the Coppin team, who we felt were better,” said Junior. Said Steve Settle III of . .”
Settle III (13.8 points per game) is projected as the team’s top scorer, bringing back two of the top four preseason scorers and potentially adding a third, Randall Brumant. 15.8 points per game).
The Bisons have sophomore Elijah Hawkins (13 points per game), plus Kobe Dixon (Cornell) and Sidwell Friends alum Jelani Williams (Penn), looking to replace Foster in scoring. I’m here.
“It’s so hard to lose a special player like Kyle because he did so much for us last season,” Blakeney said. “But I think there are a few players who can step up to fill the offensive gap he left.”
Across the two games, Howard (1-1) was in a bit of a mixed bag. After pushing power-five programs like Villanova and Notre Dame last season, Bison lost three scheduled starters in Monday’s opener, including 2022 Naismith Player of the Year Oscar Zibwe. In Kentucky he was defeated by the team.
Minus Hawkins, 2022 MEAC Freshman, Howard takes advantage of second-half surges from Settle (19 points, 7 rebounds) and Jr. Jordan Wood (19 points, 9 rebounds) to slip past DC University (Division II) 87 I was. -74 on Wednesday—after trailing 37-36 at the half.
For Wood, a player the team considers the X Factor, Wednesday’s performance was a great recovery after going 1-12 off the field in Kentucky. As a freshman, Wood averaged just under 10 points before games. The season has been suspended due to the spread of the new coronavirus within the team. But last year, his confidence was wavering throughout the year, and he scored just 2.7 points a game.
This summer, Blakeney challenged Wood to run a marathon in the hopes that doing something difficult outside of basketball would help him regain his confidence on the court.
“J-Wood has all the tools,” says Settle III. “When he’s on, he unlocks [another] dimensions of our team. We all believe his breakthrough is coming. we actually see it every day. ”
If the Bison are to end a 30-year NCAA tournament drought, they need to protect the ball. Howard finished the season with a negative assist-to-turnover ratio of 14.3 assists per game to 14.7 turnovers per game. His turnovers per game was 14.7, which ranked him 28th in the nation.
The Bison’s struggles in turnovers played a key role in the team’s 2-7-1-game record.
“We had to keep it simple,” says Settle. “I think we all get caught playing home runs at times, and that can be good or bad. You have to learn to pick your spot instead of finding the right balance and making it a habit.
