Bowie State University men’s basketball will open the 2026-27 season at the Virginia State Tip-Off Challenge, beginning Bryan Wilson’s first season as the Bowie State Bulldogs’ interim head coach. The Bulldogs will play East Stroudsburg University at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, and Shepherd University at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the VSU Multipurpose Center in Ettrick, Virginia.
East Stroudsburg University finished the 2025-26 season with a 21-9 overall record and a 14-7 mark in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play. Shepherd University went 20-10 overall and 15-6 in PSAC play last season.
Bryan Wilson Begins First Season
Wilson begins his first season leading Bowie State University men’s basketball after playing for the Bulldogs from 2009 through 2013. The Upper Marlboro, Maryland, native appeared in 105 games, made 44 starts, scored 689 points and recorded 229 assists during his Bowie State playing career.
Wilson helped Bowie State win the 2013 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship. He also ranks fifth on Bowie State’s all-time assists list.
Bowie State was selected ninth in the 2026-27 CIAA Men’s Basketball Preseason Predicted Order of Finish. The Bulldogs will begin the season with a group of returning contributors led by senior forward Jaiden McGhee.
Jaiden McGhee Leads Returning Contributors
McGhee received Preseason All-CIAA recognition after earning All-CIAA honors last season. He averaged 12.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, totaling 361 points and 147 rebounds in 28 appearances.
Senior guard Jailin Landis also returns after averaging 10.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 19 appearances last season. Landis recorded 42 assists and 19 steals.
Bowie State’s returning contributors also include junior guard Jordan Downs, sophomore forward Charles Thomas III, sophomore guard Amadou Kaloga and senior forward Justin Morrisey. Thomas earned CIAA All-Rookie Team recognition in 2025-26.
Virginia State Tip-Off Challenge Schedule
Bowie State will face East Stroudsburg University at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at the VSU Multipurpose Center. The Bulldogs will return to the venue at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, to play Shepherd University.
East Stroudsburg was selected second in the 2026-27 PSAC East Preseason Coaches Poll, while Shepherd was selected third. Both opponents finished the 2025-26 season with at least 20 victories.
Bowie State University Men’s Basketball Schedule Continues
After the Virginia State Tip-Off Challenge, Bowie State will open CIAA play against Claflin University at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The Bulldogs will then visit Johnson C. Smith University at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Bowie State will face Shippensburg University at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, before opening its home schedule against Cheyney University at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, inside A.C. Jordan Arena.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Bowie State University men’s basketball enters the 2026-27 season with Bryan Wilson beginning his first campaign as the Bulldogs’ interim head coach. Wilson’s history with the program and the return of McGhee, Landis and other contributors provide the central context for Bowie State’s opening weekend.
The Bulldogs will immediately face two opponents that recorded 20-win seasons in 2025-26 before continuing with four scheduled games against Claflin University, Johnson C. Smith University, Shippensburg University and Cheyney University.
Source: Original report
