BOWIE, MD — Bowie State men’s basketball will open the 2023-24 season Friday, Nov. 10 as the Bulldogs host the Bowie State Tip-Off Classic featuring Fayetteville State, California (PA) and Lock Haven through Saturday, Nov. 11 inside A.C. Jordan Arena. All games will be aired live on the Bulldog Sports Network.
Click HERE for the Tip-Off Classic schedule and team information.
When: Friday, November 11 – Saturday, November 12
Where: A.C. Jordan Arena (Leonidas S. James Physical Education Complex)
Time: 11/10 (5 PM and 7 PM), 11/11 (2 PM and 4 PM)
Watch: BSUBulldogs.com
Live Stats: BSUBulldogs.com
Bowie State Athletics Social Media: @BSU_Sports_Info (Twitter), @bowiestatebulldogs (Instagram)
Last Season for Bowie State
The Bulldogs are looking to improve upon last years finish at 7-22 overall and 5-11 in the conference during the 2022-23 campaign under the leadership of Darrell Brooks who will be entering his 13th season. BSU was 3-11 at home and 4-9 on the road a year ago. The Bulldogs averaged 66.9 points per game and allowed its opponents to score 73.7 points in 2022-23 that ranked 10th and 11th amongst the CIAA. A notable team highlight for BSU last season was that the Bulldogs ranked second in the league for blocked shots at 118 on the year and an average of 4.07 blocks per outing.
CIAA Predicitions
The Bowie State men’s basketball team was selected to finish 10th overall in the 2023 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Preseason Poll announced by the league office back on Sept. 25. The Preseason Teams and Poll were chosen by the league’s coaches and Sports Information Directors. Fayetteville State was voted to win the CIAA Championship, followed by Claflin at No. 2, Virginia Union at No. 3, Winston-Salem State at No. 4 and Virginia State at No. 5.
The Newcomers
BSU will introduce four newcomers, including three transfers for the 2023-24 season. Of the three transfers, two came from Division I programs including Corey Barnes – a transfer from Delaware State who appeared in 20 games for the Hornets in 2022-23, averaging .6 points, .3 assists and .8 rebounds per game while Deven Richmond, a transfer from Howard who averaged 3.3 points, 1.6 rebounds in 27 games played and two starts for the Bisons.
The Returners
The Bulldogs are not without veteran leadership as BSU has nine returners from last year’s squad including Mark Bradshaw who ranked second on the team in scoring (11.0 ppg) and Joel Webb, the team’s leading rebounder (5.2 rbg). Additionally, Bowie State will look to get more from veteran guards Anthony Carpenter who averaged 5.3 points, Caleb Butler who shot 38-percent from the field, averaging 8.0 points and dishing out 2.5 assists per game last season. Additionally, the Bulldogs can expect to get more productivity from both Kyree Freeman-Davis and Amare Wimbush. Wimbush earned CIAA Rookie of the Week accolades twice last season, starting seven of teh 24 games he played. Freeman-Davis posted 7.1 points (43-percent shooting) and a shooting percentage of 34-percent from beyond the arc last season.
About Fayetteville State
Predicted to win the CIAA championship for 2023-24, the Fayetteville State Broncos are coming off a 17-13 overall record and 11-5 mark in league action last season. FSU was de-throned by CIAA Runner-up Lincoln University, 53-49, in the semifinals of the championship tournament last season. The Broncos return nine student-athletes this season with All-Conference performer Tyler Foster leading the way. He led Fayetteville State in scoring with 13.8 points per game after scoring double-digits in 22 games. Kaleb Coleman, who averaged 5.7 three-pointers made, ranked third in scoring with 10.6 ppg and second in rebounding (5-4 rpg). Head Coach Luke D’Alessio will return for his fourth season on the court for the Broncos. Over three active seasons, Fayetteville State has accumulated a 62-30 (.674) record. FSU will have five rising seniors from last year on the squad.
About California (PA)
A member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), California (PA) is coming off a 16-14 overall record and 12-10 record in the PSAC last season that led to a fourth place finish in divisional standings. The Vulcans mounted a six-game winning streak in the final weeks of the regular season and later advanced to the quarterfinals of the PSAC Tournament for the third-straight time. Cal (PA) achieved its highest position in the preseason PSAC West poll since being picked second prior to the 2011-12 campaign. Danny Sancomb leads the Vulcans in his seventh season at the helm.
About Lock Haven
Also a member of the PSAC, Lock Haven enters the tip-off classic with a sixth place finish out of nine teams in the conference order of predictions from the Eastern Division. The Bald Eagles are coming off a 17-12 overall record and 12-10 mark in 2022, which saw them clinch the fifth seed in the PSAC Eastern Division Tournament, where they upset No. 4 seed Millersville, earning their first postseason win in 33 years. Their Cinderella story run ended in the semifinals against top-ranked Shippensburg. The Bald Eagles finished last season in ranked in the top-10 of the PSAC in scoring (9th, 72.6), field goal percentage (9th, 0.447), opponent field goal percentage (7th, 0.428), rebounding (8th, 36.3) and turnover margin (6th, 1.52). Mike Nestor will enter his 12th season at the helm of Lock Haven’s men’s basketball program.
Looking Ahead
Following the Bowie State Tip-Off Classic, the Bulldogs will remain home to host Millersville in nonconference action on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. from A.C. Jordan Arena. BSU is 3-1 all-time against the Marauders but fell short 69-60 last year at Millersville.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State University Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com.
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