You see the name Coppin State and your brain probably does one of two things. Either you remember that wild 1997 upset over South Carolina—one of the few times a 15-seed actually pulled it off—or you just see a small school from Baltimore that usually gets hammered by the big boys in November.
Honestly? Both of those views are kinda lazy.
The reality of Coppin State men’s basketball in 2026 is way more complicated than a highlight reel from thirty years ago. It’s a program fighting through one of the most bizarre and difficult stretches in its history. Between a sprawling federal investigation that just hit the news cycle and a roster that feels like a revolving door of transfer portal names, the Eagles are basically the poster child for how hard it is to survive as a "low-major" in the modern era.
The Scandal Nobody Expected (But Everyone Feared)
Let’s just get the elephant in the room out of the way first. As of January 2026, the program is under a massive cloud. Federal prosecutors recently dropped a bombshell indictment involving a point-shaving scheme that reaches right into the heart of the MEAC.
One unnamed player from the 2023-24 squad allegedly took bribes to "underperform" in a game against South Carolina State. We aren't talking about some vague rumor here. The feds have texts. One fixer allegedly messaged the player at halftime, telling him he was "costing us money." The player’s response? He claimed he tried everything in his power to get his teammates to "chill" in the second half.
It’s messy. It’s ugly. And for a school like Coppin State, it’s potentially devastating. When you’re already struggling to fill seats at the Physical Education Complex, the last thing you need is the FBI looking at your box scores.
Life in the Trenches: The 2025-26 Season
If you look at the standings right now, it’s a tough watch. The Eagles are sitting at 2-14.
They’ve played a schedule that would make most high-major coaches quit on the spot. We’re talking about trips to Maryland, VCU, West Virginia, and Georgetown. They lost to South Florida by 50. Fifty!
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But that’s the life of Coppin State men’s basketball. You take the "guarantee games" to fund the athletic department, you get beat up on the road, and you hope you’re tough enough to win a few conference games in January.
Coach Larry Stewart—a program legend who actually played for those great Fang Mitchell teams—is in a brutal spot. He’s trying to rebuild with a roster that is almost entirely transfers.
Who is Actually Playing?
You’ve got guys like Khali Horton, a junior forward who’s been the most consistent offensive threat, averaging around 8 points a game. Then there’s Favour Aire, a 6-foot-11 center who came over from Bryant. On paper, a guy that size should dominate the MEAC. In reality? He’s averaging about 3 points and 2 rebounds.
It just shows the gap between potential and production when you’re constantly playing from behind.
Nelson Lamizana has been a small bright spot, recently picking up MEAC Rookie of the Week honors. He’s a freshman from West Chester who actually looks like he belongs at this level. But one freshman can't fix a defense that is giving up 87 points a game. That’s the real killer. They are currently ranked 355th out of 365 teams in points allowed. You can’t win games if you’re basically a layup line for the opposition.
Why 1997 Still Matters (and Why It’s a Curse)
You can't talk about this team without mentioning Fang Mitchell. For 28 years, he was the guy. He took a tiny school on North Avenue and made it a giant killer.
When they beat No. 2 South Carolina 78-65 in the '97 NCAA tournament, it wasn't just a fluke. They led for most of the game. They were tough, disciplined, and they didn't care about the name on the front of the other jersey.
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But in a way, that success created an impossible standard.
Fans expect the "Coppin Magic" to just happen, but the landscape has shifted. Back then, you could keep a core group of guys for four years. Now? If a guy at Coppin State shows he can play, he’s in the transfer portal heading to a mid-major or a power conference school by May.
Just look at last year’s departures. Ryan Archey and Jonathan Dunn both left for North Carolina Central. Other guys scattered to schools like Jacksonville State and Grambling. It’s hard to build a culture when you’re basically a developmental league for everyone else.
The Hard Truth About the MEAC
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is a grind. It’s not about the fancy facilities or the national TV spots. It’s about 4:00 PM games in half-empty gyms where every possession feels like a wrestling match.
Coppin just lost a heartbreaker to South Carolina State 74-72. They were right there. Jayden Johnson hit a jumper with three seconds left to sink them. That’s been the story lately—close but not enough.
They did manage to beat Delaware State 53-51 earlier this month, thanks to 13 points from Taj Thweatt. That win showed they haven't completely quit. But honestly, the fans are restless. When you see your rivals like Morgan State or Howard having more success, it stings.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Coppin State men’s basketball is just another "HBCU team." They don't realize the history of innovation here. Fang Mitchell used to schedule the hardest non-conference slates in the country specifically to toughen his guys up. Larry Stewart is trying to channel that same energy, but the "toughness" gap in 2026 is wider because of the NIL money and the portal.
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It’s not just about coaching anymore. It’s about resources.
What Really Happened With the Recruiting?
If you look at the 2025-26 roster, it’s a mix of JUCO guys and bounce-backs.
- Baasil Saunders: Junior guard from Montgomery County CC.
- Hassan Perkins: Senior guard who came from Maryland Eastern Shore.
- Taj Thweatt: Senior forward from Fairmont State.
It’s a "patchwork" team. You’re basically trying to teach a bunch of strangers how to play together in three months. That explains why they turn the ball over 15 times a game. They don't have that "telepathic" connection that the great 90s teams had.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you’re a fan or an alum, it’s easy to be cynical right now. But there are actually a few things the program can do to stop the bleeding:
- Leaning into the Baltimore Roots: The most successful Coppin teams were built on local Baltimore talent. Right now, there are too many guys from out of state who don't feel the weight of the jersey.
- Focusing on Defensive Identity: You can't out-talent teams in the MEAC if you're giving up nearly 90 points. They need to return to the "lockdown" style that made them famous.
- Transparency on the Investigation: The school needs to be aggressive in clearing out anyone involved in the point-shaving scandal. If they don't fix the integrity of the program, recruiting will stay in the basement.
The next few weeks are critical. They’ve got games against Maryland-Eastern Shore and Norfolk State coming up. If they can’t find a way to string together a couple of conference wins, 2026 is going to be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
It’s a long road back to 1997, and frankly, the Eagles might never get back to that exact peak. But they have to find a way to be competitive again. Right now, they’re a program in survival mode. Whether they can evolve or just keep treading water depends on how they handle the fallout from this winter's scandals.