Howard and Delaware State are set to play for the MEAC title and a bid to the NCAA Tournament on Saturday afternoon. In their last head-to-head encounter in March 2024, the Bison prevailed over the Hornets at Burr Gymnasium, winning by a score of 85-66.
Howard is looking to repeat as MEAC champion. Delaware State, meanwhile, is looking to claim its first MEAC Tournament title since 2005 in its first appearance in the championship game since 2015. The tip-off is slated for 1 PM EST and be broadcast live on ESPN2.
Howard | OVR 17-16 | MEAC 11-5 (3rd) | NEUTRAL 2-3
Howard punched its ticket back to the MEAC title game by scorching the nets against regular season champion Norfolk State. HU beat NSU 80-74 by shooting better than 50 percent from both the field and the three-point line.
In its five prior neutral site games this season, Howard has averaged 74.2 points on 43.9% shooting from the field.
Bryce Harris has been a defensive anchor for the Bison all year. Harris has been both the team’s block leader and steal leader, averaging 1.0 blocks per game and 1.1 steals per game thus far this season.
Delaware State | OVR 14-17 | MEAC 8-8 (6th) | NEUTRAL 4-1
Deywilk Tavarez led Delaware State in the team’s last matchup against North Carolina Central, scoring 20 points on 6-of-15 shooting as DSU beat NCCU 71-58. Tavarez now comes into this matchup averaging 14.0 points per game on 40.0% shooting for the season.
The Hornets have played five prior games at neutral venues this season, and have averaged 10.0 steals and 2.4 blocks over those contests.
Key Metrics
- Look for Howard to get out quickly in this one. The Bison average 35.1 first half points per game, which ranks second in the MEAC (conference average is 31.8).
- Delaware State plays at the third fastest pace in the MEAC. The team averages 70.1 possessions per 40 minutes (MEAC average is 69.2) and scores approximately 0.97 points per possession.
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