Bowie State opens its 2026–27 men’s basketball season at the Virginia State Tip-Off Challenge, beginning a new era under interim head coach Bryan Wilson. The Bulldogs face East Stroudsburg on Friday, Nov. 13, then Shepherd on Saturday, Nov. 14, looking to build around experienced returners led by senior forward Jaiden McGhee.

By the Numbers
  • McGhee averaged 12.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season.
  • Senior guard Jailin Landis averaged 10.8 points per game.
  • East Stroudsburg went 21-9; Shepherd finished 20-10 in 2025–26.
  • Wilson recorded 689 points and 229 assists as a Bowie State player, appearing in 105 games.
Yes, But

Bowie State was picked ninth in the CIAA preseason poll, while both weekend opponents arrive after 20-win seasons. East Stroudsburg has won at least 20 games in four straight seasons, and Shepherd shared last season’s PSAC East regular-season title.

State of Play
  • McGhee earned Preseason All-CIAA recognition after an All-CIAA season; sophomore Charles Thomas III returns as a CIAA All-Rookie honoree.
  • Bowie State and East Stroudsburg are tied 1-1 in their all-time series. Shepherd leads the Bulldogs 6-5.
  • After the tournament, Bowie State stays on the road for games against Claflin and Johnson C. Smith before hosting Cheyney on Nov. 28.
What's Next

The Bulldogs begin with East Stroudsburg at 5 p.m. Friday and meet Shepherd at 3 p.m. Saturday in Ettrick, Virginia. Their next two games are on the road, with CIAA play opening against Claflin on Nov. 19.

Bottom Line

Bowie State’s opening weekend will test its returning core against two established 20-win teams—and offer an early measure of how Wilson’s first season is taking shape.