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Game 26
Opponent: Howard (12-13, 5-4)
Date: Saturday, February 24, 2024
Site: Burr Gymnasium, Washington, D.C.
Game Time: 4:00 p.m. (ET)
Series Record: MSU leads the series 67-49
Live Stream: here
Live Stats: here
Radio: Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN.com)
Coaches: MSU - Kevin Broadus (66-71, 5th yr) | HU - Kenneth Blakeney (55-72, 5th)
Websites: www.MorganStateBears.com | www.hubison.com

SETTING THE STAGE
The Morgan State University men's basketball team look to end their season series in the win column against the Howard Bison (12-13, 5-4) on Saturday night. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. at The Burr. The game will be broadcast by the Heritage Radio Sports Network (HSRN.com) and streamed live on ESPN+.
• Deywilk Tavarez scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Hornets to an 80-58 victory against Morgan State in front of a packed house Monday night at Memorial Hall. Kamron Hobbs and Will Thomas led the Bears with 11 points and three assists apiece.
• Redshirt junior guard Kamron Hobbs and redshirt junior forward Will Thomas were named to the preseason All-MEAC second team. Last season, Hobbs started in 16 of 31 games played and averaged 28.1 minutes. He averaged 8.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and shot 44.7 percent from the field and 45 percent (45-100) from 3-point territory. Hobbs also averaged 2.7 assists (ranked No. 10 in MEAC) and 1.4 steals.  He scored in double-figures 13 times, including a season-high 24 points versus Delaware State (Feb. 4). Thomas started in 8 of 29 games played last season and averaged 8.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and shot 43.4 percent from the field and 34 percent (16-47) from 3-point territory.  He scored in double-figures 10 times, scored 20 or more points five times, and poured in a season-high 27 points (11-22 FG) and grabbed 11 rebounds versus Norfolk State (Jan. 23).
• Several newcomers could make an impact for the Bears this season. Morgan added guard Wynston Tabbs from East Carolina, guard Kiran Oliver from New Mexico State, and forward Myles Thompson from Saint Francis (Pa.) via the transfer portal. 
• Morgan's roster includes three freshman, three sophomores, seven juniors, and three seniors.

KEY NOTES ABOUT MORGAN STATE
• Redshirt junior guard Kamron Hobbs and redshirt junior forward Will Thomas were named to the preseason All-MEAC second team. Last season, Hobbs started in 16 of 31 games played and averaged 28.1 minutes. He averaged 8.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and shot 44.7 percent from the field and 45 percent (45-100) from 3-point territory. Hobbs also averaged 2.7 assists (ranked No. 10 in MEAC) and 1.4 steals.  He scored in double-figures 13 times, including a season-high 24 points versus Delaware State (Feb. 4). Thomas started in 8 of 29 games played last season and averaged 8.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and shot 43.4 percent from the field and 34 percent (16-47) from 3-point territory.  He scored in double-figures 10 times, scored 20 or more points five times, and poured in a season-high 27 points (11-22 FG) and grabbed 11 rebounds versus Norfolk State (Jan. 23).
• Several newcomers could make an impact for the Bears this season. Morgan added guard Wynston Tabbs from East Carolina, guard Kiran Oliver from New Mexico State, and forward Myles Thompson from Saint Francis (Pa.) via the transfer portal. 
• Morgan's roster includes three freshman, three sophomores, seven juniors, and three seniors.

SCOUTING HOWARD
• Head coach Kenneth Blakeney enters his third season leading the Howard men's basketball program in 2019-20. He has coached at seven Division I universities over a 12-year span. Blakeney was a McDonalds All- American and Gatorade Player of the Year at the famed DeMatha Catholic HS, and played at Duke under head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
• The defending MEAC champion Bison, who were picked to finish first in the MEAC Preseason Poll, currently have an 12-13 overall and 5-4 MEAC record after falling 75-68 versus South Carolina State on Monday in Washington, D.C. Four Bison recorded double-digits led by Seth Towns with 15 points. Bryce Harris added 14 points while Marcus Dockey contributed 13 and Shy Odom put up 11 points. 
• Junior 6-4 guard Bryce Harris (Brentwood, N.Y.) and 6-9 senior forward Seth Townes (Columbus, Ohio) currently lead the Bison in scoring. Harris is averaging 16.3 points (No. 3 in MEAC), 7.1 rebounds (No. 2) and is shooting a league-best 57% from the field and 72% from the free throw line (No. 11). Townes, a transfer from Ohio State, is averaging 15.0 (No. 8)  points, 6.8 rebounds (No. 3) and is shooting 37 percent from the field. Townes also leads the Bison dishing out 2.4 assists per contest. Junior 6-2 guard Marcus Dockery (Washington, D.C.) is averaging 13.4 points and is shooting  a league-best 39.7 percent from the three.
•  Howard sophomore guard Shy Odom was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men's Basketball Preseason Player of the Year. Joining Odom on the Preseason All-MEAC First Team are Howard teammates Marcus Dockery and Jelani Williams.

HU by the Numbers
• 75.3: HU is scoring by averaging 75.3 points per game (No. 2 in the MEAC).
• 16.3: The Bison have been led by Bryce Harris who is averaging 16.3 points (ranks No. 2 in MEAC).
• 75.9: On average HU is giving up just under 80 points per contest to opponents.
• .453: The Bison rank No. 1 in the MEAC in field goal percentage.
• .364: The Bison rank No. 1 in the MEAC in 3-point field goal percentage.
• 24.8: The Bison rank No. 1 in the MEAC in defensive rebounds.

THE SERIES VS. THE BISON
• Saturday's contest will mark the 116th meeting between the schools ... The Bears lead the series 67-49.
• Morgan's last win against Howard was on January 27, 2024 -- Wynston Tabbs and Will Thomas combined for 44 points to lead the Morgan State men's basketball team to an 85-79 victory against Beltway rival Howard on Saturday at Hill Field House. Thomas scored a game-high 24 points on an efficient 11-of-17 shooting from the field in 33 minutes. He also had five rebounds and a blocked shot. Tabbs scored 10 of his 20 points (4-9 3FG) in the closing moments to seal the Bears victory. Morgan connected on 54.4 percent of their shots from the field and was 6 of 19 from behind the arc, while the Bison shot 51 percent from the field and connected on 6 of 20 (.300) 3-pointers.
• HU's last win against Morgan was on January 21, 2023 --  Senior guard Isaiah Burke scored 16 of his game-high 21 points in the first half, but Morgan's 6-game winning streak came to an end on Saturday as they swallowed an 88-56 conference loss to Howard before a raucous crowd at Burr Gymnasium. Malik Miller, who entered the game averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds, was helped off the floor at the 8 minute mark suffering a leg injury. Morgan shot .373 (22-of-59) from the field, compared to Howard's .567 (34-of-60). The Bears shot .188 (3-16) from beyond the arc, while the Bison connected on 9-of-19 (.474) from 3-point range.
• Howard has won three of the last five meetings against the Bears.

LAST TIME OUT FOR THE BEARS
DOVER, Del. - Deywilk Tavarez scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Hornets to an 80-58 victory against Morgan State in front of a packed house at Memorial Hall.
• Freshman guard Deywilk Taverez led the Hornets with a game-high 21 points on 8-for 11 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from 3-point territory in 24 minutes.
• Baltimore product Martaz Robinson had a double-double by finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds, to go along with three steals and three assists.
• Jevin Muniz, a 6-foot-6 sophomore guard from Bethlehem, Pa., had 14 points (5-9 FG) and six assists, while Alston Andrews added 11 points and 11 boards with four steals.
• Kamron Hobbs and Will Thomas led the Bears with 11 points and three assists apiece.
• Morgan connected on 36.4 percent (20-55) of their shots from the field and shot 4-of-18 from 3-point territory. Meanwhile, the Hornets shot 52 percent from the field and connected on 5 of 11 3-pointers.
• DSU dominated the boards where they held a commending 35-20 advantage, including a 10-7 advantage on the offensive glass.
• The Hornets scored 21 points off of forcing10 Morgan turnovers.
• As the game entered the final stretch, the Hornets held a 73-57 lead at the last media break with 3:46 remaining and would go on to seal their series against the Bears with an 80-58 win.

HITTING THE CENTURY MARK
• Morgan scored 100 points in their home-opener vs. Cheney University of Pa. (11/9/23).
• Morgan scored 100 or more points twice during the 2022-23 season and a season-high 120 point explosion vs. Virginia-Lynchburg (Dec. 9).
• The Bears recorded 130 points in the home-opener vs. Penn State Allegheny (11/11/22).
• Morgan registered 123 points in a home win vs. Virginia-Lynchburg (11/29/22).

HOME COOKING 
• Morgan is 6-3 at home so far this season.
• Morgan completed the 2022-23 regular season 10-2 at home.
• The Bears had an 11-game home winning streak snapped by UMES on Jan. 30.
• Morgan completed the 2021-22 season with an 8-3 mark inside Hill Field House.
• The last time the Bears lost at home was against North Carolina Central (74-64) ... their previous loss was on Jan. 23, 2022 against Howard (91-82) on Jan. 23, 2022.

LINE DANCING
The Bears' returning team includes nine players who shot 70 percent or better from the free throw line this season.
• Morgan has converted 74.2 percent (319-430; ranks No. 1 in MEAC) from the stripe thru 25 games.
• Wynston Tabbs is shooting a league-best 86.8 percent (59-68), Will Thomas is shooting 84.8 percent (56-66) and Kamron Hobbs is shooting 80.5 percent (33-41) from the stripe to lead the Bears.
• Last season, Morgan shot 68.8 percent (391-558; ranked No. 6 in MEAC) from the stripe, led by Kamron Hobbs who shot 80.6 percent (29-36) and Will Thomas 78.6 percent (33-42).

TABBS SHOOTING TO THE TOP 
Redshirt senior guard Wynston Tabbs is averaging 15.9 points, and ranks No. 4 in the MEAC in scoring, netting a career-high 38 points vs. UMBC on Dec. 26.  
• He is also shooting a league-best .871 from the free throw percentage, ranks No. 7 in field goal percentage (.405) and No. 5 in 3-pointers made per game (2.0 makes) from three-point range per game.
• Tabbs has made 38 of 109 three-point shots this season (35 percent).
• Tabbs returned to the floor against NJIT (Dec. 31) after missing the previous four games due to injury.
• He has scored in double figures 14 times, including seven games with 20 or more points.
• He was named MEAC Offensive Player of the Week as a result of scoring seven of his 25 points (7-12 FG) in overtime to lead the Bears to an 89-86 victory against Coppin State (Jan. 20). He also recorded four steals, three boards, and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.
• Tabbs did not play at South Carolina State (Feb. 3) or N.C. Central (Feb. 5)  due to injury.

MIDRANGE MONSTER
Will Thomas and his mid range shooting has become a lethal trademark for the 6-foot-6 veteran wingman.
• Through 25 games, the Baltimore product is hitting his mid-rangers at a high clip and he's currently averaging 12.7 points a game (No. 13 in MEAC) with a nearly absurd shooting efficiency as he's converted 46.3 percent from the field.
• He has scored in double figures 15 times, including seven games with 20 or more points.
• Thomas scored a game and career-high 28 points on 9-of-19 shooting from the field in 32 minutes at South Carolina State (2/3). 

NON-CONFERENCE RECAP 
• Morgan recorded a 4-12 mark in non-conference play this season.
• The Bears registered a 8-9 record in their non- conference slate of games during the 2022-23 season (Feb. 4 vs. Delaware State was officially logged as a non-conference contest).

WHO'S OUT
• Malik Miller (Washington, D.C.), Khalil Turner (Philadelphia, Pa.), Isaiah Burke (Bowie, Md.), Daiquan Copeland (Philadelphia, Pa.), Lewis Djonkam(Springfield, Va.), Toto Fagbenle (London, England), Collin Nnamene (Enugu State, Nigeria), David McCullough (Bowie, Md.) and Ty Horner (Sisters, Ore.) wrapped up their Morgan careers last spring.

WHO'S BACK
The Bears return one starter from last year's team, bringing back guard Kamron Hobbs. MSU also returns forward Will Thomas along with guards Rob Lawson and  Kevon Wiggins.

WHO'S IN 
The Bears have added several newcomers to the 2023-24 roster: G Wynston Tabbs, G Demajion Topps, F Myles Thompson, G Kiran Oliver, G Amahrie Simpkins, F Daniel Akiotoby, F Trent Edwards, G Marvin Brimage, F Christian Oliver, G Tytan Newton, F Allen Udemadu, and G Xavier Valley.

RETURNING PRODUCTION NUMBERS 
Morgan State returns 30.2 percent of its scoring, 24.5 percent of its rebounding and 34.3 percent of its minutes played totals from last year's team. The team leaders in field goal percentage (Kamron Hobbs - .447), three-point percentage (Hobbs, .450), free throw percentage (Hobbs, .806), rebounding (Kyle Thomas - 3.9 rpg), assists (Hobbs, 2.7), steals (Hobbs, 1.4), blocked shots (Thomas, 0.2). and minutes played (Hobbs, 28.1). Two (2) players who started in at least five (5) games a year ago.

HOME GROWN 
Morgan State has six (6) players from the DMV (D.C., Maryland & Metropolitan-D.C.) area. Redshirt junior forward Will Thomas is from Baltimore and was a prep standout at Mervo HS, while sophomore guard Rob Lawson is from Capitol Heights and played at National Christian Academy, and freshman guard Staccardo Washington played at Dr. Henry A. Wise HS and is from Upper Marlboro. East Carolina transfer Wynston Tabbs hails from Suitland and played at St. Mary's Ryken School. Freshman guard Marvin Brimage is from Washington, D.C. and played at Jackson-Reed HS. Santa Monica College transfer Daniel Akitoby is a product of Fairfax, Va. and played at Falls Church HS.

THE SCHEDULE
The Bears won't ease into the season, opening the schedule Nov. 6 at Arizona. Another trip west comes later in the month with trips to Fresno State (Nov. 15) and Brigham Young (Nov. 18). Another high-profile game comes Dec. 27 with a visit to Virginia.
• "We're going to be battle tested," Broadus says. "The key is, we just have to be healthy, we have to be smart, we have to learn how to play together through adversity. I think once we do that, we're going to be really good."
• The home opener is Nov. 9 against Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. Among the other highlights will be local foe UMBC visiting Hill Field House on Dec. 6, and James Madison making the trip to Morgan for a pre-Christmas matinee on Dec. 22.
• The Bears' MEAC opener is Jan. 6 at Maryland-Eastern Shore, followed two days later by a visit from Delaware State. The regular season ends with a four-game homestand, capped by a Senior Day showdown against crosstown rival Coppin State on March 7.
•  "We just have to put it together," Broadus says. "I like what we've got. I think we have a good nucleus and I like how we're doing things."

PREDICTED TO FINISH FOURTH IN THE MEAC
The Morgan State men's basketball team has been picked to finish fourth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's preseason poll.
• The 2023-24 Bears earned 72 total points in the voting. Howard claimed 11 first place votes and 107 points total as the defending MEAC champions. Norfolk State (96 pts) was selected second, followed by North Carolina Central in third place  (79 pts). Maryland Eastern Shore (55 pts), Delaware State (39 pts), Coppin State (30 pts) and South Carolina State (26 pts) rounded out the league's predicted order of finish.
• Redshirt junior guard Kamron Hobbs and redshirt junior forward Will Thomas were named to the preseason All-MEAC second team.
• The 2024 MEAC Basketball Tournament will be held March 13-16 at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va.

HOW TO WATCH GAMES: All men's and women's basketball home games will be video streamed for free through the MorganStateBears.com website. The latest broadcast and video stream information will always be listed on men's and women's basketball schedule pages at MorganStateBears.com.
 
MEN'S & WOMEN'S BASKETBALL RADIO: All home games and select away games for MSU men's and women's basketball will once again be available through Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN.com). Lamont Germany will handle play-by-play responsibilities and will also host pre-game and post-game shows. Including exclusive interviews with members of the teams and women's coach Ed Davis, Jr. and men's coach Kevin Broadus. Fans can download the HSRN app for free and listen to the MSU broadcasts from anywhere. Simply search for HSRN when using the iHeartRadio app.

  
FOLLOW MORGAN STATE ATHLETICS IN CYBERSPACE 
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• Visit www.morganstatebears.com, the official web site of Bears athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios and more. 
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.