You ever walk into McDougald-McLendon Arena when the bass is thumping and the maroon-and-gray energy is just... thick? It hits different. But if you’ve been following North Carolina Central Eagles women's basketball lately, you know the vibe in Durham has been a mix of gritty rebuilding and "wait, did that just happen?"
Honestly, the 2025-26 season has been a bit of a rollercoaster. It’s the kind of year where the box scores don't always tell the full story of what’s happening on the hardwood. People look at the standings and see the Eagles fighting for air in the MEAC, but they miss the defensive stands that make you hold your breath.
The Terrence Baxter Era: A Reality Check
When Terrence Baxter had that "interim" tag ripped off his title, there was this collective sigh of relief. He’d already led the team to its first winning season in the Division I era back in 2023-24. That wasn’t luck. It was 16 wins of pure, unadulterated hustle.
But transition is hard. It’s messy.
By early 2026, the Eagles found themselves sitting at a 3-13 overall clip. On paper? Ouch. In reality? They’ve been playing a schedule that would make most mid-majors sweat. We’re talking about going up against the likes of Texas Tech and TCU right out of the gate. You don’t schedule those games to pad your stats; you schedule them to see who’s actually going to dive for a loose ball when you're down twenty.
Who’s Actually Carrying the Load?
If you aren't watching Morgan Callahan, you're missing the heartbeat of this roster.
💡 You might also like: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
Callahan isn't just another forward. She’s only the fourth player in the program's D-I history to hit the 1,000-point and 600-rebound milestones. That’s elite. She’s currently averaging about 12.3 points a game, but it's the 6.8 rebounds and the way she anchors the paint that keeps the Eagles in games.
Then there’s Aniya Finger. She’s been providing that secondary punch, putting up double digits (11.1 PPG) and crashing the boards. It’s a physical style of play. They aren't trying to out-finesse anyone. They want to outwork you.
Why the MEAC Standings are Deceptive
Right now, the MEAC is a gauntlet. Howard and Maryland Eastern Shore are playing out of their minds.
The North Carolina Central Eagles women's basketball squad started conference play 0-3, which feels heavy. But look closer at the losses. These aren't all blowouts. There’s a specific kind of frustration in losing a game by single digits when you know you missed five layups and a handful of free throws.
- The Scoring Gap: The Eagles are averaging about 60.8 points per game.
- The Defensive Pressure: They’re forcing nearly 23 turnovers a game from their opponents.
- The Achilles Heel: Shooting percentage. Hovering around 35% from the floor is a tough way to live.
It’s kind of a "live by the sword, die by the sword" situation with the full-court press. When the pressure works, it’s beautiful chaos. When it doesn't, it leaves the back end vulnerable, and that’s where teams like Norfolk State have been able to capitalize.
📖 Related: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
The New Blood on the Bench
One thing nobody is talking about enough is the coaching staff overhaul. Baxter brought in some serious DNA this year.
Cassie King is back. If you’re a real NCCU fan, that name is legendary. She’s the school’s all-time leading scorer. Having her on the bench coaching the post players? That’s like having a cheat code for player development. Then you add Paris Kea, who played in the WNBA. The IQ on that bench is through the roof.
It takes time for that knowledge to translate into wins. You’re teaching a young core how to think the game, not just play it.
The Road Ahead: Can They Turn It Around?
Look, nobody is saying this is a championship-or-bust year anymore. That ship likely sailed with the non-conference losses. But the MEAC Tournament in Norfolk is the great equalizer.
The Eagles have shown they can hang. They beat Averett decisively and played some tough, gritty minutes against N.C. A&T in the cross-town rivalry. To make a run in March, they basically need to find a way to stabilize the point guard play. Najah Lane has been the primary floor general, leading the team in assists (67 on the season), but the turnover margin has to get better.
👉 See also: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
Basically, they need to stop beating themselves.
If you want to support the team or keep an eye on the progress, here are the moves to make:
- Watch the Home Stand: The atmosphere at McDougald-McLendon is a genuine home-court advantage. If you're in Durham, go.
- Focus on the Defensive Stats: Don't just look at the final score. Watch the steals and the points off turnovers. That’s where this team wins.
- Track the Freshmen: Keep an eye on the development of the younger guards. They are the ones who will be leading this press in 2027.
The journey for the North Carolina Central Eagles women's basketball team is far from over. It's a grind, sure. But in the MEAC, anything can happen once the tournament lights go up.
Actionable Next Steps: Keep a close watch on the upcoming February conference slate. This is where the Eagles historically find their rhythm. Check the official NCCU Athletics site for the latest ticket availability for the home stretch in Durham. If you can't make it to the "McDougald-McLendon Arena," most conference games are streamed via ESPN+, allowing you to track Morgan Callahan’s pursuit of further school records in real-time.