MEAC Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

5. Howard Bison

The Howard Bison finished 10-23 overall and 7-9 in MEAC play during the 2017-18 season. Behind the play of a strong backcourt of R.J. Cole and Charles Williams, though, the Bison may be onto something.

Cole and Williams were both first-team All-MEAC selections last season. Cole had a strong freshman campaign, earning MEAC Rookie of the Year honors as well after averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. Williams averaged 20.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest while shooting 40.9 percent from 3-point range.

After Cole and Williams though, the Bison’s production plummeted in 2017-18. No other player in the rotation averaged double-figures in scoring, leaving them to fend for themselves in the MEAC. Rising sophomore Zion Cousins is one player to keep an eye on. The 6-foot-7 forward produced 5.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game as a freshman while starting in 19 games.

Howard still finished the season ranked third in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (35.5 percent). It’s a figure that should stay in the Top 5 with Cole and Williams returning in the backcourt but they’ll need help in the frontcourt to improve their standing in the conference.