The buy games and tough travel spots are finally over. Some of these teams have played tougher schedules than power level teams. The metrics are mostly skewed going into conference play with the higher level of competition that was faced. The holiday break came at the right time with players healing up and teams garnering more practice time to build continuity in hopes of a conference title run.
Typically, the MEAC and SWAC games are isolated on Mondays and Fridays, which are the smaller slates of the week. This is beneficial for them as they receive more eyes on their product with the ability to showcase the different teams for their respective conferences. Despite some of the lackluster records to end 2025 for a lot of the teams, there is plenty to be excited about with how some teams have played against quality competition.
2025 MEAC Overview
As the calendar turns to 2026 and MEAC conference play tips off, the MEAC wraps up a challenging non-conference slate. The eight-team league struggled overall against outside competition, posting a collective record that reflects the typical difficulties faced by historically strong HBCU programs in tougher scheduling. However, one team (Howard) has emerged as a clear standout, positioning itself as the favorite heading into league action.
The MEAC finished non-conference play with a combined record of 34-90 against Division I opponents, highlighting the gauntlet of power-conference matchups and road games many teams endured. Six of the eight teams enter conference play with double-digit losses, and several programs are mired in lengthy losing skids. The league's struggles out of conference sets the stage for intriguing intra-conference battles where familiarity often levels the playing field.
Howard is the lone MEAC squad with a winning record, sitting at 9-6 overall. The Bison have been the conference's brightest spot, going 5-1 in their last six games with the only setback coming on the road to Northwestern. Over the past three weeks, Howard notched impressive wins over fellow HBCUs North Carolina A&T and Hampton, plus a notable road victory at UNCW which is not an easy place to win.
The Bison are tied for the second biggest jump among HBCU teams in KenPom, climbing from 308th preseason to 269th currently. They are one of only two MEAC teams (Maryland Eastern Shore) to improve their overall KenPom rating this season. Howard also boasts the highest projected win percentage (over 60%) in its next nine games among all HBCUs, signaling strong potential for a successful conference run.
With all teams starting 0-0, Howard enters as the clear frontrunner. The Bison's ability to compete against mid-major foes like UNCW suggests they could dominate in-conference matchups. However, the MEAC is known for its competitiveness, and upsets are common. Expect gritty, defensive-minded games as these programs battle for positioning in what promises to be an unpredictable conference season.
2025 SWAC Overview
The SWAC teams have wrapped up their non-conference schedules and are now preparing for league play. The SWAC, ranked 28th among the 32 conferences, has endured a challenging slate against higher-level competition in the non-conference, but were more successful than the MEAC.
Alabama A&M leads the pack with a 7-6 overall mark, the lone SWAC squad above .500. The Bulldogs have capitalized on a relatively forgiving schedule to build momentum. Though their strength of schedule ranks among the softer ones in the conference, they have shown flashes of a team who could contend for a SWAC title. The new look Grambling State follows at 6-7, showing signs of life with a strong finish to non-conference play.
Despite a 4-9 record, Southern University emerges as the highest-rated team in the SWAC via KenPom (No. 246 overall), making the Jaguars the top-rated HBCU program in the country. Southern's rugged schedule, widely regarded as one of the toughest nationally, has tested them against power-conference foes, contributing to their losses, but also elevating their analytical profile.
The non-conference portion has been a tale of struggles for most: six teams enter league play with double-digit losses, and three sit with just one win apiece. Texas Southern has had the roughest go, without a single Division I victory on the season.
KenPom ratings reveal a mixed bag of progress and stagnation. Eight of the twelve teams either held steady or declined in preseason rankings. However, several programs made significant leaps: Arkansas-Pine Bluff climbed 20 spots, Prairie View A&M 25, Alabama A&M an impressive 39, and Grambling State a conference-best 58 spots, signaling substantial improvement in efficiency metrics.
The SWAC has historically been wide-open, with parity often leading to thrilling races and unexpected conference heroes. After a grueling non-conference grind, the real season starts now. Fans should buckle up for what promises to be another unpredictable ride in one of college basketball's most storied HBCU conferences.
Hampton Pirates: The Sleeper Ready to Shake Up the CAA
As the CAA heats up, the Hampton Pirates are quietly making a case as one of the conference's biggest surprises. Picked to finish fifth in the preseason coaches' poll with no players on the All-CAA preseason teams, Hampton has started league play a perfect 2-0, including a thrilling 63-62 upset over preseason favorite Towson on New Year's Eve. Sitting tied for first in the standings with an overall record of 8-7, the Pirates currently rank third in KenPom among CAA teams. They win games with grit, defense, and balance, even as their offense continues to find its rhythm.
Hampton's identity this season is built on defense. The Pirates rank is elite in three-point defense, holding opponents to just 30.7% from beyond the arc, a top 70 rank nationally. They also force turnovers at a high rate (106th in defensive turnover%), disrupting opponents and creating transition opportunities that help their offense that struggles in the half court.
Offensively, there's room for growth. Hampton shoots only 28% from three, but if that regresses to the mean, their already solid attack could become dangerous. They get to the free-throw line at a high rate (8th nationally in percentage of points from free-throws) but cannot solely depend on that as their main source of offense. Ball protection is another concern (270th in offensive turnover%), yet they've won six of their last eight games despite these offensive inefficiencies.
No superstar dominates the headlines, but Hampton's depth is a strength. Six players average at least 6 points per game, with four that average (rounding up) double figures. Leading the way is senior big man Xzavier Long, who posts a true double-double with 10 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. His presence on the glass anchors a physical frontcourt that controls the paint. Guards like Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt (clutch performer in the Towson win) and Michael Eley provide scoring punch and versatility, while the roster's overall balance makes Hampton tough to scout.
The Pirates face a tough stretch, with five of their next eight games on the road in a conference known for parity. But their early battle-tested non-conference schedule and signature win over Towson suggests they're built for it. Home dominance at the Convocation Center remains a weapon, where fans create one of the CAA's best atmospheres.
Hampton's defensive tenacity, rebounding prowess, and emerging offensive potential make them a classic sleeper. If the shots start falling and they clean up the turnovers, the Pirates could climb even higher and make noise in the CAA.
Buy Stock Now: Southern Jaguars
The Southern University Jaguars represent one of the most compelling "buy low" opportunities in mid-major college basketball particularly for those tracking SWAC contention. The Jaguars sit at 4-9 overall heading into conference play, on a five-game losing streak with all recent defeats coming on the road. However, when you dig deeper, the context screams undervaluation
They've played one of the toughest non-conference slates imaginable, facing power-conference foes like Arkansas, Marquette, Washington (double-overtime loss), Texas, Baylor, and Illinois, all away from home. Only three home games so far, and they're 3-0 in those (blowout wins over lesser opponents). Despite only having one true Division I win, they've competed respectably against elite competition while building experience that should pay dividends in the SWAC.
This road-heavy, high-major gauntlet has prepared them for the softer conference schedule ahead. Analytics back this up: Despite the record, Southern remains the highest-rated HBCU team in KenPom, currently around the mid-200s, a significant drop from preseason top 150 expectations but still strong relative to SWAC peers.
Leading the charge is dynamic senior guard Michael Jacobs. He is currently averaging around 20 points per game to go along with four assists and rebounds. He's deadly from deep, shooting around 40% from three on decent volume and providing the kind of scoring punch that can carry a team through conference play.
6'10" UMass transfer Malek Abdelgowad anchors the frontcourt with 11 points and 6-7 rebounds, offering size and interior scoring. Five other rotation players averaging 7+ points, creating a deep, balanced attack.
The team plays at a controlled pace, protects the ball well against superior opponents, and gets a solid chunk of points from inside. They're knocking down 36% from deep as a unit, but defensive three-point allowance (opponents shooting 40%) is an area for improvement. That high percentage is likely to regress positively against weaker SWAC offenses. Interior finishing ranks low nationally, but volume keeps them competitive.
The Jaguars are projected as heavy favorites in most remaining games. Models suggest high win probabilities, 55%+ in 14 of the final 18 games. An undefeated home slate so far, combined with battle-tested experience from that grueling non-con, positions Southern to dominate at home and steal road games in the SWAC. A strong conference run could vault them back toward tournament contention.
December Standout Players
With the first half of the 2025-26 college basketball season wrapped up, several HBCU players have emerged as dominant forces, showcasing elevated production and clutch performances against tough competition. Below are a few who stood out in what they did against quality competition and some being in historic fashion.
Quion Williams – Arkansas Pine Bluff
Williams has taken his game to new heights, highlighted by one of the season's most memorable outings: a historic triple-double with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and a school-record 18 assists in just 33 minutes against Champion Christian. His all-around impact is evident in standout December performances, including multiple games with 25+ points, back-to-back double-doubles, and a 27-point effort in a close contest against DePaul. Boasting the team's highest Player Efficiency Rating (23.2) by a wide margin, Williams has solidified himself as a versatile leader driving the Golden Lions.
Tai’Reon Joseph – Prairie View A&M
Joseph has been an unstoppable scoring machine, earning back-to-back conference Player of the Week honors with a scorching December. The guard erupted for 26.4 points per game last month, including two 30-point explosions and three straight 25+ point games while shooting 50% from the field. Joseph saved his best for high-major opponents, averaging a remarkable 30 points across back-to-back matchups against Texas A&M and LSU (highlighted by a 34-point outburst against the Tigers), and 23.3 points overall against Power conference teams. His recent surge, complemented by consistent defensive contributions like multiple steals in recent games, has made him one of the nation's top mid-major scorers and a nightmare for opponents going forward in the SWAC.
Jayden Johnson – South Carolina State
The sophomore guard dramatically elevated his role from limited minutes last season. Despite a challenging team start, Johnson has been a bright spot, more than doubling his scoring output to around 11 points per game on efficient 38% three-point shooting while commanding the highest usage rate on the roster. His breakout includes a five-game double-figure scoring streak, a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists against Queens University, and explosive performances against power-conference foes. He averaged 24 points and 4.5 assists over his last two games against South Carolina and Tennessee, where he shot 59% from the field and 66% from beyond the arc. Johnson's rapid development signals a rising star in the MEAC with significant upside as conference play intensifies.
