The Matchup
North Carolina Wesleyan vs. Johnson & Wales 
Saturday, November 8th, 2025
2:00 p.m. ET | HUDL
Raleigh, NC / Hermann Athletic Center

The North Carolina Wesleyan men's basketball team will open its 2025-26 season on Saturday, November 8, when the Bishops face Johnson & Wales (Charlotte) at 2:00 p.m. in Raleigh as part of the William Peace Classic.

The matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs and will showcase a new-look Wesleyan lineup that combines veteran leadership with fresh talent. Head coach John Thompson's squad features returning contributors Omari Bolden, James Jones, and Deejayy Cox, along with forward Markquan Gilbert, who averaged nearly ten points per game last season.

Several new faces are set to make their Bishop debuts, including freshman guard Ro'Mello Pegues from Triton High School, freshman forward Dahir Hagi from White Oak High School, and sophomore transfer Josh Laney from Enloe High School and Cape Fear Community College. The group joins an experienced core that helped the Bishops to a 17-win season and a USA South Championship appearance last year.

Wesleyan tuned up for the regular season with an exhibition at UNC Charlotte, giving the coaching staff an early look at rotations and chemistry. The Bishops will look to establish momentum early as NCWU prepares for its home opener later this month.

Johnson & Wales enters the contest following an 11-16 campaign in 2024-25. The Wildcats return key players such as Ethan Smith and Nantambu Calhoun, who combined for nearly seventeen points per game last season, and bring an athletic roster that emphasizes perimeter shooting and rebounding. The team recently competed in an exhibition at VMI to open its preseason.

Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m. at the Hermann Athletic Center in Raleigh.