NORFOLK, Va. – As the start to the regular season approaches, the North Carolina Central men's basketball team has been projected to finish fourth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) preseason poll, earning 42 votes.
Ahead of NCCU in the order of finish is Howard with 62 votes, followed by Morgan State (46) and Norfolk State (43). South Carolina State (36) sits at fifth, while Delaware State and Coppin State are tied for sixth with 20 votes each. Maryland Eastern Shore rounds out the poll with 18 votes, as voted on by the head coaches and sports information directors.
Each school also had two student-athletes named to the MEAC Preseason Watch List. Ryan Archey and Maurice Vassel will represent the Eagles. Archey is NCCU's only returning player, while Vassel brings MEAC experience after competing at Maryland Eastern Shore for the past two seasons.
Vassel and Archey attend the 2026 MEAC Basketball Media Day on Friday, Oct. 23, at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel.
The Eagles will open the season on Nov. 2 against Georgia at Stegeman Coliseum, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Fans can watch the matchup on SEC Network+.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
Men's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
*First place votes in parenthesis
| 1) Howard - 62 votes (6) |
| 2) Morgan State - 46 (1) |
| 3) Norfolk State - 43 (1) |
| 4) NC Central - 42 |
| 5) South Carolina State - 36 |
| T6) Delaware State - 20 |
| T6) Coppin State - 20 |
| 8) Maryland Eastern Shore - 18 |
Men's Basketball Preseason Watch List
Coppin State — Brendan Johnson and Tafara Gapare
Delaware State — Nehemiah Reedus and Rahmir Moore
Howard — Cam Gillus and Cedric Taylor III
Maryland Eastern Shore — Levi Beckwith and Saadiq Moore
Morgan State — Alfred Worrell and Keith Richard
Norfolk State — Bahil Laster and Jordan Skyers
North Carolina Central — Ryan Archey and Maurice Vassel
South Carolina State — Mitchell Taylor and Noah Treadwell
