Burr Gymnasium is loud. If you’ve ever been there on a Saturday afternoon when the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play is in full swing, you know the vibration. It’s not just about the game; it’s about the culture. Right now, the howard bison basketball schedule is entering its most critical stretch of the 2025-26 season. Whether you’re a die-hard alum or just someone trying to catch a high-energy game in D.C., keeping track of where the Bison are playing—and why it matters—is a full-time job this month.
People often get Howard basketball wrong. They think it’s just another mid-major program. Honestly, under Coach Kenny Blakeney, it has turned into a national brand that schedules Duke and Missouri while dominating the local conversation.
The Crucial MEAC Stretch: January and February 2026
The meat of the schedule is finally here. We are officially in the heart of conference play. For the men’s team, the record currently sits at 10-8 overall and 1-2 in the MEAC. That might look "middle of the road" on paper, but if you look closer, the Bison have been battle-tested. They’ve played road games at Drexel and UNCW—and won them both by narrow margins.
January is a gauntlet. On January 17, 2026, the Bison travel to Durham to face North Carolina Central. If you’re following the standings, this is a massive "swing" game. Central is currently sitting at 3-0 in the conference, and Howard needs this win to keep the pace for a top seed in the MEAC Tournament.
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The schedule doesn't let up. After North Carolina, the team returns to the District for the MLK Jr. Day Classic on January 19. They’ll host Morehouse College at 3:00 PM. This is one of those "only at Howard" moments. It’s more than basketball; it’s a celebration of HBCU excellence at the Burr.
Key Men’s Matchups to Circle
- January 24: Morgan State at Howard. The "Route 1 Rivalry" never disappoints.
- January 31: Norfolk State at Howard. This is basically the heavyweight title fight of the MEAC.
- February 9: Yale at Howard. A rare non-conference Ivy League matchup in the middle of February.
The women’s side is having a historic run too. They’re currently receiving votes in the Mid-Major Top 25 polls. Coach Ty Grace has them playing a brand of defense that is, frankly, exhausting to watch if you're the opponent. They just handled Delaware State 73-63 and look like the team to beat in the conference.
Understanding the New MEAC Format
Something weird happened this year. Well, not weird, but different. The MEAC moved to a "Thursday single game" and "traditional Saturday" format for many of the women's matchups. You have to be careful when looking at the howard bison basketball schedule because the men and women aren't always playing doubleheaders like they used to.
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For example, the women head to Coppin State on Thursday, January 22. The men? They don't play Coppin until Monday, January 26. If you show up on the wrong day, you're going to find an empty gym and a very confused security guard.
The Road to Norfolk: The MEAC Tournament
Everything in the current schedule is a build-up to March 11–14, 2026. That’s when the circus moves to Norfolk, Virginia.
The tournament is where legends are made. Remember the 91-90 heartbreaker against Morgan State in 2025? The team hasn't forgotten. The entire 2026 schedule was built to avoid that kind of early exit. Blakeney purposely scheduled "The Brotherhood Run" in November—playing Niagara and Duke—to make sure these guys wouldn't blink when the lights got bright in March.
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Ticket Realities and Burr Gymnasium
If you’re trying to go to a game, don't wait. Burr Gymnasium only holds about 2,700 people. It’s tiny. It’s cramped. It’s perfect.
For the big games, like the February 14 matchup against Maryland Eastern Shore or the February 21 rematch with NC Central, tickets on secondary markets like Vivid Seats are already starting at $36. That might seem steep for mid-major ball, but you’re paying for the atmosphere. The band (Showtime!) alone is worth the price of admission.
How to Actually Watch
Not everyone can make it to Georgia Avenue. Most MEAC games are being streamed on ESPN+ this year. Some of the bigger home games occasionally get picked up by ESPNU, especially when they involve Norfolk State or Morgan State.
Why the Schedule Matters for D.C.
Howard basketball is the pulse of the city's sports scene when the Wizards are struggling. It’s accessible. You can see future pros like Isaiah Brown or the freshman sensation Kuai Deng up close. Deng, a 6'10" forward from Australia, is a name you should probably learn now because he won't be in the MEAC for long if he keeps playing the way he has in the non-conference slate.
Actionable Steps for Bison Fans
- Sync your calendar: Don't rely on memory. The shift in MEAC game days (Thursday vs. Monday) means you need the digital schedule synced to your phone.
- Check the Women's Roster: Keep an eye on Sa'lah Hemingway. She's been a double-double machine lately and is a huge reason why the women's team is 1-1 in conference but looks much stronger than that record suggests.
- Plan for the MLK Classic: If you're going to the Morehouse game on January 19, get there at least 90 minutes early. The security lines and the crowd for the "Classic" are unlike any other regular-season game.
- Monitor the Standings: Follow the MEAC official site for live updates. With Howard currently at 10-8, every single conference game is a battle for a winning season and tournament seeding.
The season is far from over. In fact, for the Bison, the real work is just beginning. Catch a game at the Burr while you still can—before the March Madness hype takes over.