For the first time in program history, both the Howard University men’s and women’s basketball teams won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament championship in the same season and additionally secured the 2025-26 regular-season title for the first time since 1987.
The Bison built momentum with over 20 wins each this season, bringing national recognition not only to Howard, but to historically Black colleges and universities’ (HBCUs) sport programs as a whole, adding to athletics’ successes in other programs like the swimming and diving team, which won its Northeast Conference championship.
The men’s program, also known as the “Dream Factory,” finished the regular season with 22 total wins, the second-most in program history. Securing its third MEAC championship in four years, the Bison swept through conference competition against South Carolina State University and North Carolina Central University (NCCU).
Men’s head coach Kenneth Blakeney opened the MEAC championship press conference by stating, “She’s back,” referencing the team securing the MEAC championship trophy again. For him, faith played a role in the journey.
“I just want to give all praise and love to my Lord, Jesus Christ; without him, none of this is possible,” Blakeney said. “What a great basketball game. We’re very grateful and blessed that we came out on top against NCCU to win our third MEAC championship in four years.”
In addition, the men ranked No. 1 in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia for the last five seasons, winning 67.1 percent of their conference games, with three NCAA appearances, three conference tournament titles and two regular-season titles.
Graduate guard Bryce Harris and junior guard Cedric Taylor III earned national recognition alongside two additional players — JT Toppin at Texas Tech University and Calib Wilson at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — who all averaged at least 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, one steal and one block during the regular season.
Harris earned MEAC Player of the Year averaging 17.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
Reflecting on his journey with the Dream Factory, Harris said he felt a lot of conflicting emotions dating back to his sophomore year, which he described as the toughest of his life, facing both high moments and adversity, including the passing of his father and injury.
“I had a lot of personal stuff I was going through at the time, my father passing away and then also coming back the day after his funeral to play against Moorehouse,” said Harris, a marketing major. “Having that camaraderie in terms of my teammates and my coaches, that was a big thing that really remained consistent throughout my five years here.”
Harris continued that challenges he experienced put him in doubt.
“Last year I broke my foot. I [didn’t] know if I was [going to] be able to be the same person again, I [didn’t] know if I was [going to be] the same basketball player again,” Harris said. “Sitting out last year kind of looking from a backseat lens, not being able to drive the ship and be hands on was tough but I give my glory to God.”
Through it all, his faith helped him trust the process.
Following suit, three additional Bison earned MEAC men’s basketball postseason honors, including Taylor III who was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, averaging 17.7 points per game. Senior point guard Ose Okojie earned All-Defensive Team honors, and freshman center Danas Kazakevičius was named to the All-Rookie Team.
The women finished with 24 total wins this season, advancing to the MEAC Tournament for the first time since 2022, securing victories over South Carolina State University, Coppin State University and Norfolk State University.
The Bison secured multiple MEAC accolades, including head coach Ty Grace earning Coach of the Year, presented by Wells Fargo. Senior forward Zennia Thomas was named MEAC Women’s Player of the Year and Most Outstanding Performer. Freshman point guard Ariella Henigan earned Rookie of the Year honors, while Senior forward Nile Miller was named to the All-MEAC Defensive Team.
Coach Ty Grace spoke on the significance of both programs winning MEAC titles in the same season.
“It’s pretty amazing like shout out to [Kenneth Blakeney]. It’s just a proud moment, I’m so happy to represent this university and be a part of all of this, to see that happen is so rare,” Grace said. “To watch those guys fulfill their goals for the season, just to see my team do the same thing in the same year, you can’t make it up. It’s like a story that’s written already.”
Zennia Thomas shared what the MEAC championship meant to her after facing a heart condition shortly after transferring from the University of Kentucky, previously telling WUSA9 that “You never know when one game will be your last.”
As Thomas and her team pushed forward to reach this stage, she discussed text messages between her and her mother the morning of the championship game, reflecting on her journey and her mother’s support.
“I know that my mom’s really proud of me because she texted me this morning and gave me a long paragraph about my journey starting from when I first started playing basketball up until now,” Thomas, a health science major, said. “We always talked about it being unfinished business so I know that was the first person I wanted to go see in the crowd after everything was said and done.”
Soaking in the moment, she said she felt grateful to reach this accomplishment.
“It just means a lot like…I’m speechless right now honestly,” Thomas said. “I’m very proud of myself, proud of my team, and I’m just happy that I could get it done and kind of write my own story.”
The Bison went dancing as the men made history again, earning their first NCAA Tournament win against No. 16 seed University of Maryland, Baltimore County, with an 86-83 victory.
The team advanced to face No. 1 seed University of Michigan on March 19 in a first-round Midwest region matchup.
The win drew national attention, attracting support from Howard alumni, including Kamala Harris, and media figures such as Jeff Pearlman, a New York Times best-selling author, who shared commentary on social media stating it was beautiful seeing the direct impact Coach Blakeney had on his players, as he states college athletes have now turned into commodities specifically in basketball and football more than ever.
“It was amazing. It made me want to send my kids to Howard — and my kids are already in college,” Pearlman said. “One of the best things I’ve seen, and it speaks highly of the character of Kenneth Blakeney and of the Howard program and experience.”
The men later fell to Michigan, 101-80.
The Michigan-Howard matchup anchored the most-watched first-round window in NCAA tournament history, drawing 12.5 million Primetime viewers. The Bison also generated more than 1.55 million in total tournament brand value from their 2026 NCAA March Madness appearance, according to Athletiverse Intelligence.
Alongside Howard’s run, Tennessee State University and Prairie View A&M University also secured NCAA appearances, where Prairie View earned its first NCAA Tournament win, marking the most HBCU teams to earn bids since 1994, according to The Grio.
Alongside Howard’s run, Dawn Staley, Hall of Famer and head coach of the University of South Carolina, added to the broader conversation surrounding HBCU athletics.
“HBCUs have been given, sometimes, a raw deal because they’re just HBCUs and they’re not Power Four programs,” Staley said. “As you’re seeing, they’re super well-coached.”
The women’s basketball team followed with a historic appearance, earning a No. 14 seed, the highest NCAA Tournament ranking in program history. The Bison faced No. 3 seed Ohio State University in the first round on March 21, falling 75-54.
To recap the run, the Bison were featured live on FOX 5 DC’s “The Marissa Mitchell Show,” discussing the significance of the moment for the program and its players.
Zennia shared a message for young athletes inspired by the program.
“Let your work be your statement; you don’t really have to say too much,” Thomas said. “I was a late bloomer, so a lot of times I let my work speak for itself, I didn’t really chase anything, I just put the work in and hoped for the best.”
Copy edited by Daryl R. Thomas Jr.