2024-25 MEAC Basketball Preview

Conference Overview

Join us for our 2024-25 MEAC Basketball Preview, where we dive into a conference that is always filled with new talent and fresh faces. Last season, Howard clinched its second straight conference championship, continuing a trend since 2021 of dominance by Howard and Norfolk State, each with two titles. This season, these two teams once again appear to lead the pack.

Howard returns Bryce Harris, the likely Player of the Year, who was outstanding last year. Alongside two returning starters, Howard adds La Salle transfer Anwar Gill, who has the potential to be among the conference’s top players.

Norfolk State, which held the #1 seed last season, will look for redemption after a tough loss to Howard in the semifinals. Despite losing last year’s Player of the Year, Jamarii Thomas, Norfolk State returns three likely starters and adds Murray State transfer Brian Moore, Jr., along with former 4-star recruit Dramare Camara. Defensive standout Jaylani Darden is also back to provide efficiency on both ends.

North Carolina Central brings back high-scoring Po’Boigh King, an all-conference candidate, and will rely on a lineup of five returning starters to build on last season’s chemistry. Morgan State is a potential sleeper, returning three double-digit scorers from last season and adding JUCO prospect Marland Harris at center. Scoring duo Wynston Tabbs and Will Thomas should make an impact.

South Carolina State, coming off one of their best seasons, also returns six players with starting experience, aiming to build on their momentum. Delaware State, a #6 seed that reached last season’s conference final, brings back Martaz Robinson, a Player of the Year candidate, surrounded by a mix of returners and transfers ready for bigger roles.

Maryland Eastern Shore introduces standout freshman Maurice Vassel, a three-star recruit, and JUCO scorer Jose Cuello to a largely revamped roster that could surprise come conference season. Coppin State, which has faced recent struggles, brings back key returnees but will need resilience in a conference loaded with new talent.

The MEAC promises an exciting season, with a pressing question: will Howard or Norfolk State continue their reign, or will one of the other six teams rise to claim the title? Dive into our 2024-25 MEAC Basketball Preview for an in-depth look at the season ahead.

MEAC Basketball Preview: Projected Standings

1. Howard
2. Norfolk State
3. North Carolina Central
4. Morgan State
5. South Carolina State
6. Delaware State
7. Maryland Eastern Shore
8. Coppin State

MEAC Basketball Preview: Projected Award Winners

Player of the Year: Bryce Harris, Howard

Defensive Player of the Year: Jaylani Darden, Norfolk State

Newcomer of the Year: Anwar Gill, Howard

Freshman of the Year: Maurice Vassel, Maryland Eastern Shore

Coach of the Year: Kenny Blakeney, Howard

MEAC Basketball Preview: Projected All-Conference First Team

Martaz Robinson, Delaware State

Anwar Gill, Howard

Po’Boigh King, North Carolina Central

Bryce Harris, Howard

Jaylani Darden, Norfolk State

Coppin State Eagles

Projected Starters:

PG: Zahree Harrison (5.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.0 apg)

SG: Ryan Archey (9.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.5 apg)

SF: Camaren Sparrow (6.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.9 apg)

PF: Julius Ellerbe III (5.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.0 apg @ Eastern Michigan)

C: Khali Horton (4.7 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.5 apg)

6M: Aa’Reyon Munir-Jones (3.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.3 apg)

Delaware State Hornets

Projected Starters:

PG: Corey Perkins (4.3 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.0 apg)

SG: Robert Smith (17.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.0 apg @ D2 West Chester)

SF: Martaz Robinson (15.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.2 apg)

PF: Muneer Newton (4.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Albany)

C: Alston Andrews (4.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.0 apg)

6M: Dean Shepherd (2.4 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.4 apg)

Howard Bison

Projected Starters:

PG: Jaren Johnson (7.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.5 apg @ Dartmouth)

SG: Marcus Dockery (13.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.8 apg)

SF: Anwar Gill (9.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.9 apg @ La Salle)

PF: Bryce Harris (16.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.7 apg)

C: Dom Campbell (7.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.0 apg)

6M: Joshua Strong (3.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.2 apg)

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks

Projected Starters:

PG: Evan Johnson (3.8 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 1.4 apg @ UNC Asheville)

SG: Jose Cuello (20.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.2 apg @ College of the Sequoias CC)

SF: Ketron Shaw (10.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.8 apg @ D2 Winston-Salem)

PF: Jalen Ware (3.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Austin Peay)

C: Maurice Vassel (FR)

6M: Christopher Flippin (17.1 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 1.2 apg @ JUCO Highland CC)

Morgan State Bears

Projected Starters:

PG: Rob Lawson (8.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.3 apg)

SG: Kameron Hobbs (10.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.4 apg)

SF: Wynston Tabbs (14.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.9 apg)

PF: Will Thomas (14.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.9 apg)

C: Marland Harris (11.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 0.6 apg @ West LA CC)

6M: Amarhie Simpkins (8.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.2 apg)

Norfolk State Spartans

Projected Starters:

PG: Christian Ings (8.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.1 apg)

SG: Brian Moore, Jr. (9.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.5 apg @ Murray State)

SF: Jaylani Darden (7.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.0 apg)

PF: Dramane Camara (0.6 ppg, 0.2 rpg, 0.2 apg @ DePaul)

C: Tyrel Bladen (5.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.5 apg)

6M: Sin’Cere McMahon (8.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.2 apg @ Winthrop)

North Carolina Central Eagles

Projected Starters:

PG: Dionte Johnson (6.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.6 apg)

SG: Po’Boigh King (14.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.6 apg)

SF: Keishon Porter (8.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.4 apg)

PF: Kelechi Okworogwo (5.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.4 apg)

C: Perry Smith, Jr. (5.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.2 apg)

6M: Aquan Smart (8.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.3 apg @ Southeast Missouri State)

South Carolina State Bulldogs

Projected Starters:

PG: Michael Teal (8.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.4 apg)

SG: Mitchell Taylor (8.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.0 apg)

SF: Wilson Dubinsky (7.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.4 apg)

PF: Omar Croskey (7.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.0 apg)

C: Drayton Jones (5.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.8 apg)

6M: Davion Everett (6.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.1 apg)

Coming Next

Thank you for reading the 2024-25 MEAC Basketball Preview. To view the conference preview release schedule, keep up to date with us on X @collegehoopsrpt. If you haven’t already, feel free to check out one of our other conference previews linked below! Next up is the Missouri Valley Conference. Thank you for reading, and we appreciate all the support!

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• MAAC Conference Preview
• MAC Conference Preview

Cover Image: Photo Credit: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)