Blue Devil Country

Former Duke Basketball Guards Orchestrate Huge Feat for Howard

Duke basketball alums Kenny Blakeney and Tyler Thornton have the Bison dancing again.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
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Kenny Blakeney, a four-year Duke basketball reserve guard in the early 1990s and one-time national champion, is now in his fifth season as head coach at Howard. And for the first time in program history, the Bison are set to make a second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament following their MEAC title on Saturday.

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Howard, boasting another former four-year Duke basketball backcourt talent in 2014 Blue Devil grad and fifth-year assistant Tyler Thornton, defeated Delaware State, 70-67, in the championship game.

The Bison, who were 9-5 in MEAC regular-season play and finished in a tie with NC Central and South Carolina State at No. 2 in the conference standings, enter Selection Sunday with an 18-16 overall record. They're likely to be a No. 16 seed, same as last year when they fell to No. 1 seed Kansas, 96-68.

When Kenny Blakeney, now 62-75 overall, assumed the reins at Howard, the program hadn't been part of March Madness since 1992, his freshman year at Duke. While his Bison tenure had a rough start, to the tune of five wins between his first two seasons at the helm, the 52-year-old has now clinched a third consecutive winning record.

Blakeney, Thornton, and the upstart Bison find out their NCAA Tournament destination when the Selection Show airs on CBS at 6 p.m. ET Sunday. Howard didn't win a game in any of its previous three trips to the Big Dance.

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Horrible Sign for Duke's Chances in NCAA Tournament

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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