| MATCHUP | Howard Bison | SC State Bulldogs |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 9-7 | 2-14 |
| Where | Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center, Orangeburg, SC | |
| When | Saturday, January 3, 2026 | |
| Time | 04:30 PM EST | |
South Carolina State Bulldogs Preview
South Carolina State Bulldogs have a 1-14 record this season and are in 8th place in the MEAC. They have a 1-2 home record and are coming off a 105-54 away loss against Tennessee. Their previous three games were a 95-70 away loss against South Carolina, a 68-54 home win against Brevard and a 78-72 home loss against USC Upstate.
Offensively, South Carolina State averages 65.1 points per game, while allowing 87.7 points per game defensively. The Bulldogs shoot with 39% from the field and grab 31.2 rebounds per game, while dishing out 11.3 assists per game. They average 2.7 blocks per game and 6.9 steals per game defensively.
Owen Bronston Jr. leads South Carolina State in scoring, with an average of 11.3 points per game, while shooting with 38.6% from the field and 81.3% from the free throw line. Cameron Clark is the team’s leading rebounder with 4.9 per game, while Jayden Johnson adds a team-high 3.7 assists per game.
Howard Bison Preview
Howard Bison have a 9-6 record this season and are in 1st place in the MEAC. They have a 1-4 away record and are coming off an 80-60 away loss against Northwestern. Their previous three games were a 67-66 away win against UNC Wilmington, a 74-66 away win against Drexel and a 61-57 home win against Hampton.
Offensively, Howard averages 74.5 points per game, while allowing 71.3 points per game defensively. The Bison shoot with 45% from the field and grab 34.7 rebounds per game, while dishing out 14.8 assists per game. They average 3.2 blocks per game and 9.1 steals per game defensively.
Bryce Harris leads Howard in scoring, with an average of 18.7 points per game, while shooting with 47.1% from the field and 80.6% from the free throw line. Bryce Harris is also the team’s leading rebounder with 7 per game, while Cam Gillus adds a team-high 4.2 assists per game.
Howard Bison @ South Carolina State Bulldogs Betting Trends: January 3, 2026
Why the South Carolina State Bulldogs will win
- South Carolina State has won each of its last six games against Conference opponents at Smith-Hammond Middleton Memorial Center.
- Howard has lost each of its last five games against Conference opponents.
- South Carolina State has won the first half in each of its last eight day games at Smith-Hammond Middleton Memorial Center.
Why the Howard Bison will win
- South Carolina State has lost 15 of its last 16 games.
- Howard has won five of its last six games.
- South Carolina State has lost the first half in 12 of its last 13 games.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of Howard’s last eight road games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.
- Four of South Carolina State’s last five games have produced a total of 150+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- South Carolina State ranks 362nd among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw attempts per game this season (28.2).
- South Carolina State ranks 362nd among Division 1 teams for true shooting percentage this season (48.1%).
- Howard ranks 12th among Division 1 teams for opponent assist to turnover ratio this season (0.69).
- Howard ranks 19th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (53.6).
Howard vs South Carolina State Prediction
In this Howard vs South Carolina State Prediction, Howard is coming as -9.5 road favorites. Howard has been the far better team this season as they are facing a terrible SC State squad that has won only once in its 15 games so far and have been terrible against the spread, with a 1-6 record in their last 7 games. Howard is superior both on the offensive and the defensive end, as SC State has an atrocious -22.6 point differential, so I expect the guests to win this one by double digits. Take Howard and lay the -9.5 on the road.