The 2020-21 season was supposed to be a breakout season for Howard men’s basketball program. Unfortunately, five games in, their season is over. Howard University athletics has decided to cancel the remainder of the Bison’s season due to COVID-19 concerns.
“We had several team members test positive in January, and were forced to place the program on hold, cancel several games and finally cancel our season. It was and remains the right thing for us to do,” Howard head coach Kenneth Blakeney said the university’s statement. “Ultimately, our number one priority is to ensure the health and safety of our student-athletes, both mentally and physically. Canceling the season is in the best interest of the team at this time.”
Howard last played on Dec. 18, a 81-76 win over HBCU rival Hampton. However, the program was hit with an coronavirus outbreak that resulted in 14 consecutive games being postponed or canceled before Tuesday’s decision to cancel the season. The Bison finish the season with a 1-4 record.
Howard becomes the third men’s basketball program from the MEAC to opt out of the season. Bethune-Cookman and Maryland-Eastern Shore opted out before the start of the season.
The Bison were expected to get rare national exposure with the arrival of five-star recruit Makur Maker. He played in just two games before being shut down indefinitely with a groin injury. Now all eyes will be on whether Maker returns next season or leaves for the NBA Draft.
This season was also supposed to mark an historic moment on the court. Howard was scheduled to host Notre Dame on Martin Luther King Day. For Notre Dame, it would have been the Fighting Irish’s first road game to an Historically Black College or University and the first Power 5 conference team to visit Howard since 2010. However, the game was canceled and set to be rescheduled for 2022.
