Howard University's school motto--"Truth and service"--is befitting for Friday's opening round contest of the Duke Classic against the No. 1 Blue Devils. Unfortunately for the Lady Bison, the truth is that they are winless going into Friday's opening round of the Duke Classic and are overwhelming underdogs against Duke's talent-rich squad.
Howard, at 0-4, has been outscored by its opponents 327-238. They have been victimized by the likes of George Washington, Villanova and Loyola (MD) College. The Lady Bison also played East Carolina in a tight contest, but succumbed 76-66.
Duke beat ECU earlier this year 108-46.
During Howard's first four games, the Lady Bison have shot a miserable 32 percent from the floor and been outrebounded 192-154. 5-foot-8 senior guard Asia Betty leads Howard in scoring and assists, with 17.8 points and 3.25 steals a game. Courtney Kirk is the only other player with double figures in scoring, averaging 11.8 points per game.
Perhaps most indicative of Howard's basketball inferiority is its lack of size-the team's leading rebounder is 5-foot-8 junior guard Simone Agee.
Conversely, head coach Gail Goestenkors' Blue Devils are coming off a three-game sweep of the Paradise Jam Tournament. Duke is 5-0 and boasts victories over perennial national powers Tennessee and Old Dominion.
The Blue Devils, who have shot 45 percent this season, are led by All-Americans Alana Beard and Iciss Tillis. The dynamic duo averages a combined 36 points and 12 rebounds per game. Duke also yields the deepest bench in the country, with five freshmen who could start for just about any other team in the NCAA.
Perhaps the only good news for Howard is that Duke was less than convincing in its most recent victory over then-No. 17 Arkansas, as the Blue Devils needed overtime to down the Razorbacks. However, Duke's close win could spell trouble for Howard, as well.
"We learned a lot about ourselves," Goestenkors said. "We got down and did not panic. We never lost our poise."
If Duke focuses on Howard Friday and wins, it will face the winner of a matchup between Buffalo and St. Joseph's Sunday in the championship of the Duke Classic.
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