Fayetteville State vs Bluefield State
Saturday, February 28, 2026 • 4:00 PM • CFG Bank Arena • Baltimore, MD
The 2026 Food Lion CIAA Men’s Basketball Championship features a clash between Fayetteville State and Bluefield State, each with its unique story. Fayetteville State is riding high after impressive wins against Bowie State and Johnson C. Smith. Their scoring power has made them a formidable opponent, ranking them **7th in the Atlantic Region**.
On the other side, Bluefield State is battle-hardened, having won three games in three days to reach this championship. Their strong defense and rebounding have been crucial to their success.
Intriguingly, both teams are coached by individuals who have previously led the opposing program. FSU’s Devin Hoehn coached Bluefield State to a strong performance last season, while BSU’s Luke D’Alessio guided Fayetteville State to the championship in 2022.
This matchup is not just about offense versus defense; it’s a meeting of distinct styles, making it a must-watch for fans.
MATCHUP DETAILS
Key Coaching Figures:
- Luke D’Alessio: Guided FSU to numerous successes before joining BSU.
- Devin Hoehn: Pushed BSU to its first NCAA-winning season before transitioning to FSU.
THEIR JOURNEY TO THE FINAL
Fayetteville State
- Quarterfinal: 86–83 over Bowie State
- Semifinal: 90–68 over Johnson C. Smith
Their high-scoring offense has made all the difference.
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<h4 style="margin-bottom:6px;"><strong>Bluefield State</strong></h4>
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<li>Quarterfinal: 65–55 over Winston-Salem State</li>
<li>Semifinal: 71–66 over Virginia State</li>
</ul>
<p>Strong defensive play has been their cornerstone.</p>
</div>TEAM PROFILES
Fayetteville State Broncos
Head Coach: Devin Hoehn
Top Stats: 89.8 PPG, 25.4 FTM/G, 5.5 BLK/G
Style: Fast-paced with a heavy emphasis on getting to the free-throw line.
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<h4 style="margin-bottom:6px;"><strong>Bluefield State Big Blue</strong></h4>
<p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Luke D'Alessio</p>
<p><strong>Top Stats:</strong> 68.3 PPG, 36.1 RPG, 10.7 TO/G</p>
<p><em>Style:</em> Strong defensive unit focused on rebounding and ball control.</p>
</div>PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fayetteville State
- Larry Howell: 21.1 PPG, elite scorer and foul drawer.
- Ezekiel Cannedy: 18.1 PPG, a sharpshooter from deep.
Bluefield State
- Myles Pierre: 18.0 PPG, main scorer with distance.
- Ellija Preddy: 12.8 PPG, excellent at orchestrating plays.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
- Fayetteville State: Aiming for their 3rd CIAA Championship.
- Bluefield State: Striving for their first ever CIAA title.
- Coaching Narrative: A championship trophy for either Hoehn or D’Alessio would be a personal victory against their former team.
As the championship approaches, it’s more than just a game. Both teams bring their styles and strategies, making it an exciting event for players, coaches, and fans alike. The clash of Fayetteville State’s high-octane offense against Bluefield State’s stout defense sets the stage for a thrilling showdown.
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