Howard University Basketball Team's Journey to Championship Success This Season

I still remember watching Howard University's season opener back in November, sitting courtside with my colleague from The Washington Post. The Bison had just suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, bringing their early record to 0-9. What struck me most wasn't the losing streak itself—every team goes through rough patches—but how the players carried themselves during those difficult moments. Their coach kept emphasizing what he called the "NSD spirit," that never-say-die attitude that separates championship teams from merely good ones. I've covered college basketball for fifteen years now, and I can tell you that most teams facing such a start would have completely unraveled. But something felt different about this Howard squad.

Watching them develop throughout December and January, I noticed how that NSD mentality began taking root. Coach Blaine cleverly turned their youth—with three freshmen regularly starting—from a potential liability into their greatest strength. "We're young, we're hungry, and we're not burdened by past expectations," he told me during a mid-season interview. The statistics bore this out beautifully. After that disastrous 0-9 start, the Bison went on to win 14 of their next 18 games, including an impressive 8-2 record in conference play. Their shooting percentage improved from a dismal 38% in November to a respectable 46% by February. More importantly, their defensive rotations became sharper, their communication more precise—all the intangible elements that statistics can't fully capture but that coaches dream about.

What truly impressed me was how the team's leadership evolved. Senior captain Jelani Williams, who'd been relatively quiet during the early struggles, gradually found his voice. I remember specifically their comeback victory against Norfolk State in February—down by 12 points with just six minutes remaining, Williams gathered the team during a timeout and delivered what insiders now call the "NSD speech." He reminded his younger teammates that their early-season struggles had prepared them for precisely this moment. They went on a 16-2 run to close the game, winning 74-72 on a last-second putback by freshman sensation Shy Odom. That game became the turning point that convinced even the most skeptical observers that this team was something special.

The conference tournament demonstrated just how far this team had come. Playing three games in four days, the Bison showed remarkable resilience and strategic flexibility. In the semifinal against North Carolina A&T, they adjusted their defensive scheme at halftime after falling behind by nine points. Instead of sticking with their usual man-to-man, they implemented a 1-3-1 zone that completely disrupted A&T's offensive rhythm. The result? They held A&T to just 28% shooting in the second half while forcing 11 turnovers. These aren't just numbers on a stat sheet—they represent a team that has learned to problem-solve in real time, to adapt when their initial game plan isn't working. That's the mark of a championship-caliber program.

As they advanced to the NCAA tournament, I found myself thinking back to that 0-9 start. What seemed like a catastrophe in November had actually forged the team's identity. The players had developed what coaches call "competitive calluses"—the mental toughness that comes from having been tested under fire. When they faced top-seeded Kansas in the first round, nobody gave them much chance. But having covered this team all season, I had a feeling they'd make it interesting. They played with that same NSD spirit that had carried them through their early struggles, taking Kansas to overtime before ultimately falling 78-75. Though the loss ended their season, the standing ovation they received from both Howard and Kansas fans said everything about the respect they'd earned.

Looking back on this remarkable journey, I'm convinced that Howard's season offers valuable lessons for any program building toward championship success. Their story demonstrates that early struggles don't define a team—it's how they respond to those challenges that ultimately matters. The development of their young players, particularly Odom who averaged 17.2 points and 8.1 rebounds in conference play, provides a blueprint for how to accelerate the growth of freshman talent. Most importantly, their embrace of the NSD philosophy shows that mentality often trumps raw talent in college basketball. As they look toward next season, returning four of five starters, I wouldn't be surprised to see them make even deeper tournament run. They've proven that with the right culture and resilience, any team can transform early setbacks into championship success.