BOWIE, Md. – Bowie State University men's basketball has officially announced its 2026–27 schedule, featuring a challenging nonconference slate, a competitive Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) schedule, and a veteran group of Bulldogs looking to make their mark this season led by Bryan Wilson in his first season as interim head coach of the Bowie State men's basketball program.
BSU was selected ninth in the 2026–27 CIAA Men's Basketball Preseason Predicted Order of Finish, while senior forward Jaiden McGhee earned Preseason All-CIAA recognition after receiving All-CIAA honors last season.
The Bulldogs are slated to open the season Nov. 13 against East Stroudsburg University in the Virginia State Tip-Off Challenge before facing Shepherd University on Nov. 14. Bowie State will then travel to South Carolina for conference matchups against Claflin University (Nov. 19) and Johnson C. Smith University (Nov. 21), followed by a road contest at Shippensburg University on Nov. 25.
Bulldogs Return Experienced Leadership
Bowie State will lean on experienced returners as it enters the new campaign, highlighted by McGhee. McGhee averaged 12.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season, finishing with 361 points and 147 rebounds across 28 appearances. His All-CIAA recognition and preseason selection make him a key piece of the Bulldogs' returning core.
Senior guard Jailin Landis also returns to the backcourt after averaging 10.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 19 appearances last season. Landis contributed 42 assists and 19 steals, providing experience and playmaking ability for the Bulldogs.
Additional returning contributors include senior guard Jordan Downs, sophomore forward Charles Thomas, III who earned CIAA All-Rookie Team in the 25-26 season, sophomore guard Amadou Kaloga, and graduate senior guard Justin Morrisey, giving Bowie State a blend of returning depth and veteran presence as the team prepares for another demanding CIAA season.
Bowie State will host its first home contests of the season against Cheyney University on Nov. 28 and Shepherd University on Nov. 29 at A.C. Jordan Arena.
The Bulldogs will also welcome the University of the District of Columbia on Jan. 4 and Howard University remains on the schedule for Dec. 31 in Washington, D.C.
CIAA Play Begins in November
Bowie State opens CIAA competition on the road against Claflin University (Nov. 19) before traveling to Johnson C. Smith University (Nov. 21). The Bulldogs return home in December to host Livingstone College (Dec. 3) and Fayetteville State University (Dec. 5). Bowie State will then travel to Winston-Salem State University (Dec. 10) and Bluefield State University (Dec. 12) before closing out December with home conference matchups against Virginia State University (Dec. 15) and Virginia Union University (Dec. 20).
The conference slate continues in January with home contests against Shaw University (Jan. 7), Elizabeth City State University (Jan. 9), Claflin University (Jan. 14), and Johnson C. Smith University (Jan. 16). Bowie State will also travel to Lincoln University (Pa.) (Jan. 20), Livingstone College (Jan. 23), and Fayetteville State University (Jan. 28) as the CIAA race intensifies.
February features another important stretch of conference action, including home games against Winston-Salem State University (Feb. 2) and Bluefield State University (Feb. 4), followed by road contests against Virginia State University (Feb. 6), Virginia Union University (Feb. 11), Shaw University (Feb. 13), and Elizabeth City State University (Feb. 16). The Bulldogs will conclude the regular season at home against Lincoln University (Pa.) on Feb. 19, with postseason aspirations on the line as the team looks toward the conference tournament.
Bulldogs Set Sights on CIAA Tournament
The regular season concludes with the 2027 CIAA Men's Basketball Tournament, scheduled for Feb. 23–27 at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Md. Bowie State will look to compete for a postseason opportunity in one of the nation's most historic Division II basketball conferences.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 14 varsity sport teams, please visit BSUBulldogs.com and follow the Bulldogs on social media.
