HAMPTON, Va. (Nov. 25, 2025) … Hampton plays it second consecutive longtime rival when the Pirates play at UMES on Nov. 25. In their last outing, the Pirates fell short at Norfolk State 62-60 on Nov. 21.
All three schools were once members of the CIAA and later the MEAC. While Norfolk State and UMES remain members of the MEAC, Hampton moved to the Big South (2018-22) and the CAA (2022-present). On Dec. 13, the Pirates plays Howard and on Jan. 19 and again on Feb. 13, Hampton plays former MEAC conference mates N.C. A&T.
The game with UMES concludes a stretch of six consecutive road games for the Pirates. Hampton hosts the Apprentice School on Dec. 1.
The game will mark the 60th meeting between the two teams with Hampton leading the series by a 38-21 (.644) margin. The Pirates hold a 13-12 advantage in games played in Princess Anne, Md.
The Game
The Hampton-UMES game matches two teams that have shared membership in two leagues: the CIAA and MEAC. Hampton left the MEAC for the Big South and now in the CAA.
For UMES, just three of the first 17 contests are at home. The Hawks travel to Georgia, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Virginia, New York and Washington, D.C. and Texas.
Seven of the first eight games were at Georgia, Georgia Tech, Cheyney, Nebraska, Creighton, Longwood, Canisius and Binghamton. After hosting Hampton and Gwynedd Mercy, the Hawks play seven road games at East Carolina, American, Virginia, North Carolina A&T, Virginia Tech, Wagner and Texas.
For the Pirates, the game with UMES is the last in a stretch of six consecutive road games. The streak has taken Hampton to Charlottesville, Va., Providence, R.I., Boston, Mass, Kington, R .I. and Norfolk, Va.
The Pirates are led by preseason All-CAA picks
Daniel Johnson (11.9 ppg) and
Xzavier Long (11.0, 10.8 rpg.
Michael Eley averages double-figures at 10.0.
Senior forward Joseph Locandro leads the Hawks in scoring (10.8 ppg), field goal percentage (.533) and treys (17).
Cleo Hill Jr. was the head coach at Cheyney and Winston-Salem State before moving to UMES where the Hawks went 6-25 in 2024-25 in his first season at the helm of the Hawks.
