WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Howard University Department of Athletics has released the 2025–2026 men’s basketball schedule, featuring a competitive mix of non-conference matchups against Power 5 teams, HBCU rivalries, and a challenging Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) slate. 

The Bison will open the regular season Monday, Nov. 3, hosting the University of Missouri at Burr Gymnasium. The game will be the first of four home games before the Bison hit the road and prepare for the Brotherhood Run MTE, a three-day tournament at Duke University’s hallowed Cameron Indoor Arena Nov. 21-23. During the tournament, the Bison will play Niagara and perennial college basketball powerhouse Duke, where Blakeney was a part of the 1991 and 1992 NCAA championship teams and served as a captain his senior year with the Blue Devils. 

Following games against St. Mary’s College, Mt. St. Mary’s and Bowie State University, the Bison return to Durham to face the North Carolina A&T Aggies Dec. 9.

 Head Coach Kenny Blakeney, entering his seventh season at the helm, emphasized the importance of the schedule in continuing Howard’s rise on the national stage. 

“We built this schedule with purpose. Each game, whether it’s a Power Five opponent, a regional rival, or our MEAC conference battles, gives our student-athletes the chance to compete at the highest level while representing Howard University with pride,” Blakeney said. “This schedule will be incredibly challenging for us as we face eight different programs that made the NCAA Tournament last season. We wanted to schedule teams throughout non-conference that would prepare us for playing basketball in March and this schedule does that.” 

The schedule also includes a return to CareFirst Arean, where the Bison will face Hampton University in the Battle for the Real HU Saturday, Dec. 13. The game will be a doubleheader featuring Howard University’s women’s team, which will also take on the Hampton Pirates. 

The Bison kick off 2026 on the road in Orangeburg, S.C. where they will begin MEAC play against South Carolina State University. Their first home game of 2026 will be on Monday, Jan. 12 against MEAC rival Delaware State University. This year, the Bison will once again host Morehouse College for the MLK, Jr. Day Classic Monday, Jan. 19. February is full of MEAC play with one exception, as the Bison play host to Ivy League Yale University Monday, Feb. 9. The MEAC Tournament will take place in Norfolk, Virginia, March 11 through 14, and the Bison look to rebound from a hard-fought 91-90 loss to Morgan State in the first round of the 2025 tournament. 

“This is a group of young men who have bought into #TheDreamFactory culture and immersed themselves in our campus community,” Blakeney said. “People throughout the DMV as well as all of Bison Nation will be proud of the way this team competes each night while representing Howard across their chest.”

Blakeney is excited about the upcoming season and believes others will share in the excitement with him.

“Our fans should be excited about the opportunities this schedule provides. We want Burr Gymnasium to be packed when we’re home, and we also want to show everyone what Howard basketball is all about when we’re on the road,” Blakeney added. “This schedule really has something for everyone to be excited about, and I can’t wait to have the fans join us on this journey.” 

Tickets for the men’s 2025-26 schedule can be purchased here.