BALTIMORE, MD – The Bowie State University men's and women's basketball programs were picked to finish ninth and third, respectively, in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) preseason predicted order of finish, the league announced Tuesday at its annual basketball media day hosted at Under Armour headquarters.

The Bulldogs were also represented on the All-CIAA preseason team, with senior guard Mia Smith earning the honor.

Under head coach Shadae Swan, now in her 10th season, the women's program returns 10 players from last year's squad that advanced to the CIAA semifinals. Smith, one of the conference's most efficient shooters, averaged 11.2 points per game last season and was named Food Lion Game MVP after BSU's quarterfinal victory over Livingstone.

On the men's side, head coach Darrell Brooks enters his 17th season at the helm with a nearly new roster. Senior guard Justin Morrisey, one of three returners, will anchor the Bulldogs. The Frederick, Md., native averaged 9.7 points per game in 2024-25, shot 48.8 percent from 3-point range, and posted a season-high 34 points against rival Virginia State.

The full list of preseason All-CIAA selections is available here.

Bowie State opens the 2025-26 season at home with the Tip-Off Classic, hosting a slate of PSAC and CIAA opponents inside A.C. Jordan Arena, Nov. 15-16.

Women's Predicted Order of Finish: 
1. Fayetteville State 
2. Virginia State 
3. Bowie State 
4. Virginia Union 
5. Claflin 
6. Livingstone 
7. Winston-Salem State 
8. Shaw 
9. Lincoln (PA) 
10. Elizabeth City State 
11. Johnson C. Smith 
12. Bluefield State 

Men's Predicted Order of Finish: 
1. Virginia State 
2. Claflin 
3. Fayetteville State 
4. Virginia Union 
5. Lincoln (PA) 
6. Johnson C. Smith 
7. Shaw 
8. Bluefield State 
9. Bowie State 
10. Livingstone 
11. Elizabeth City State 
12. Winston-Salem State 

For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 14 varsity sport teams, please visit bsubulldogs.com.