Howard Men’s Basketball on the Brink of Making March Madness History
WASHINGTON, D. C — The day after Howard University’s men’s basketball team had its first-ever NCAA Tournament win, students on the campus were hoping for another win in one of collegiate sports’ premier events. On Thursday night, the Bison will compete in Buffalo against the University of Michigan.
Howard’s win against the University of Maryland, Baltimore County on Tuesday was just the opening round of the three-week NCAA tournament known as March Madness. Howard joins Prairie View A&M University, Tennessee State University, and Louisiana’s Southern University as the HBCU teams in this year’s tournament. While historically Black colleges and universities competing and winning in March Madness is rare, what’s really at stake is a college’s image, sponsorships, and, of course, money.
Black colleges have a funding disadvantage compared to their peers that have predominantly white student populations. With HBCU players’ talents on full display, not only are fans watching, but also sponsors. For the women’s HBCU teams, Southern University’s Lady Jaguars will play Alabama’s Samford University on Thursday evening.
Howard women’s basketball players will face off against Ohio State on March 21. Southern and Howard entered the tournament by winning their conference championships. Now, after decades of building a brand and a name for both the women’s and men’s teams, Howard’s men’s team defeated the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 86-83 in what is called the “First Four,” the opening round of the tournament with the lowest-ranked teams.
When a college with less money and recognition beats a more well-known team that gets the fans going, students and a professor told Capital B. When asked whether Howard could beat Michigan, some students were extremely confident. “I feel they can do it,” said Dorsett Edwards, a freshman football player for Howard.
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