HAMPTON, Va. (Dec. 11, 2025) … After a 10-day lay-off for final exams, Hampton returns to the court to take on Dec. 13 to take on Howard in the Battle of the Real HU.

The game is part of an HU-HU, HU-HU doubleheader. The two women's teams square off at noon followed by the men's game at 3 pm. at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C.

Hampton has dominated the series, holding a 43-8 advantage since the Pirates moved to Division I in 1996. The Pirates have won 19 of the last 22 meetings including the last three.
Coach Ivan Thomas's team won both match-ups last year winning 83-67 at home and 80-79 in overtime in Washington, D.C.

Hampton comes into the game with a 5-5 record. The Pirates have won their last three contests with victories over UMES, the Apprentice School and Loyola (Md.).
In addition, the Pirates have scored 90+ points in each of the last two games.

Pride and bragging rights are on the line when the two teams meet in the Battle of the Real HU.

The Game
The Battle of the Real HU pitting Hampton and Howard is one of the premier HBCU rivalries. The schools have met on the hardwood for more than a century.

Howard and Hampton were charter members of the CIAA in 1912. Howard joined the MEAC in the 1970s and Hampton followed in the 1990s. Hampton has since moved to the Big South and then the CAA.

Despite playing in different leagues in recent years, the two leading HBCUs continue to play in most sports. Last fall, the two met teams on the gridiron for the 100th time. Despite Hampton's basketball dominance in recent years, it is a hard-fought rivalry as evidenced by last year's results.

Since moving to Division I in 1996, Hampton holds a 43-8 advantage over the Bison. Hampton has won 19 of the last 22 meetings and beat Howard in both match-ups during the 2024-25 season.

Hampton boasts a balanced offense with four double-figure scorers: Michael Eley (11.3 ppg), Daniel Johnson (11.0 ppg), Xzavier Long (10.3 ppg) and Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt (10.2 ppg).