NORFOLK, Va. (October 8, 2025) -- The Morgan State men's basketball team has been picked to finish fourth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's preseason poll, announced by the conference today.
The 2025-26 Bears earned 73 total points in the voting. Norfolk State claimed 12 first-place votes and 118 points total as the defending MEAC champions. Howard (97 pts) was selected second, followed by South Carolina State in third place (90 pts). Delaware State (70 pts), North Carolina Central (70 pts), Maryland Eastern Shore (31 pts), and Coppin State (27 pts) rounded out the league's predicted order of finish.
Graduate student Walter Peggs Jr., a transfer from Spring Hill College, was named to the preseason All-MEAC Third Team.
Peggs was a BOXTOROW Division II HBCU All-America First Team selection and became the first player in program history to earn two BOXTOROW HBCU All-America honors. He was also a SIAC First Team All-Conference pick and was named to the NABC Honors Court.
At Spring Hill, Peggs became the program's Division II era career scoring leader with 1,137 points and set the two-year career scoring average record at 21.3 points per game. He started all 26 games last season, averaging a career-best 26.0 points and 35.6 minutes per game. Peggs totaled 676 points to set the program's Division II single-season scoring record, while adding 92 rebounds. He also set Division II era records with 99 made three-pointers and 151 made free throws. Peggs shot career highs of 48.2% (213-442) from the field, 42.1% (99-235) from three-point range, and 87.8% (151-172) from the free-throw line.
The Morgan State Bears closed the 2024–25 campaign with a 14–18 overall record, including a 7–7 mark in conference play. The Bears were strong at home with an 11–4 record, but struggled on the road, finishing 2–13 away from Hill Field House. Despite the mixed results, the season provided a foundation for growth as the program looks to build on its experiences heading into the upcoming year.
As the Kevin Broadus era enters its seventh season in 2025–26, optimism surrounds the Morgan State men's basketball program.
Asked about the vibe leading into the season, Broadus didn't hesitate.
"It's very positive. Very optimistic," said Broadus. "Our guys are working extremely hard, and they're working together. It's the first time in a long time our guys are playing as a unit, and we're very optimistic."
The Bears return veteran guard Rob Lawson, who averaged 7.4 points per game a year ago, along with forwards Trent Edwards, Matar Wade, and Marland Harris. The roster has also been strengthened with several key additions, including guards Elijah Davis (Bowie State), Alfred Worrell Jr. (Southern Mississippi), and Christian Meeks (Waubonsee C.C.). Newcomers also include forwards Eugene Alvin (Florida Southwestern) and Manok Lual (Frostburg State), along with center Dallas James, a transfer from Indiana.
Broadus reflected on how his approach has evolved since arriving at Morgan.
"When you come to the National Treasure, you strive to be your best. This place has pushed me to grow and to adapt how I see things and how I do things, and that's been really good. I'm just glad the patience has been there, and I think this is the year that we get over the wall."
The poll and preseason squad were released during the MEAC's Basketball Media Day, which was held on Wednesday and broadcast live on ESPN+.
Morgan State opens the 2025–26 season on Monday, Nov. 3, with a trip to the Nation's Capital to face Georgetown at Capital One Arena. The Bears will make their home debut on Thursday, Nov. 6, when they host Central Pennsylvania College at Hill Field House.
Full 2025-26 Men's Basketball Schedule here.
The 2025 MEAC Basketball Tournament will take place March 11-14, 2026, at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va.
For more information about the MEAC and its sponsored sports, log on to www.MEACsports.com.
The MEAC Media Relations Office contributed to this release.
2025-26 MEAC Men's Basketball Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
1. Norfolk State (12) – 118 pts
2. Howard (4) – 97 pts
3. South Carolina State – 90 pts
4. Morgan State – 73 pts
T5. Delaware State – 70 pts
T5. North Carolina Central – 70 pts
7. Maryland Eastern Shore – 31 pts
8. Coppin State – 27 pts
2025-26 Preseason All-MEAC Teams
First Team
Chris Flippin, Maryland Eastern Shore
Bryce Harris, Howard
Khalil Horton, Coppin State
Ponce James, Delaware State
Jayden Johnson, South Carolina State
Second Team
Zion Bethea, Delaware State
Cam Gillus, Howard
Dionte Johnson, North Carolina Central
Camian Shell, Coppin State
Taj Thweatt, Coppin State
Third Team
Keyontae Lewis, Norfolk State
Anthony McComb III, Norfolk State
Walter Peggs, Jr., Morgan State
Cedric Taylor III, Howard
Michael Teal, Maryland Eastern Shore
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
