The Blue Devil Resurgence: Inside Dillard University Men's Basketball's Championship Run And The 2025-2026 Season Outlook
The Dillard University Men's Basketball program has successfully carved a path of resurgence, culminating in a dramatic conference championship victory during the 2024-2025 season that has energized the entire New Orleans campus. As of this current date, December 24, 2025, the Bleu Devils are deep into their 2025-2026 campaign, building on the momentum of their first conference title since 2018 and navigating a competitive schedule within the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC).
Under the strategic leadership of Head Coach Joseph Price, Dillard has become a formidable force in the NAIA landscape. The team’s recent success is a testament to a culture built on discipline, high-impact transfers, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, setting a high bar for the current squad as they chase back-to-back titles and another berth in the national tournament.
Head Coach Joseph Price: The Architect of the Bleu Devil Revival
The foundation of Dillard's recent success is undoubtedly Head Coach Joseph Price, a respected figure who has brought a wealth of experience and a winning pedigree to the Bleu Devils program. His background as a standout player and a seasoned coach has been instrumental in transforming the team's trajectory.
- Full Name: Joseph Price
- Current Role: Head Men's Basketball Coach, Dillard University
- Previous Coaching Roles: Prior to Dillard, Coach Price served as the head men's basketball coach at Central State University, where he achieved a notable 18-12 record in his first season.
- Player Career: He was a former standout player at the University of Notre Dame.
- Dillard Tenure Highlight: Led the Bleu Devils to their first conference championship since 2018 during the 2024-2025 season.
- Coaching Philosophy: Known for building strong defensive teams and developing high-caliber transfer talent.
- Staff: Supported by Assistant Coach Kobe Robinson.
Coach Price's commitment to recruiting players who fit his system, particularly high-impact transfers, has been key to the rapid turnaround. His influence extends beyond the X's and O's, focusing on the academic and personal development of his athletes, a crucial component for any successful HBCU program.
The Championship Season: A Review of the 2024-2025 Triumph
The 2024-2025 season will forever be etched in Dillard basketball history as the year the Bleu Devils reclaimed conference supremacy. The team finished with an impressive 19-12 overall record, including a stellar 12-5 mark in conference play, demonstrating their dominance throughout the campaign.
Clutch Performances and Key Statistics
The season was defined by clutch victories and a well-rounded statistical profile. The team excelled in several key areas:
- Overall Record: 19-12 (.613)
- Conference Record: 12-5 (.706)
- Points Per Game: 76.9
- Field Goal Percentage: 44.1%
- Free Throw Percentage: 76.0% (Highlighting their composure late in games)
The championship run was highlighted by thrilling matchups, including a competitive showdown against Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) and a triumphant victory over Tougaloo College.
The pinnacle of the season came in the conference tournament, where Dillard secured the championship, their first since 2018. One particularly memorable game saw the Bleu Devils edge past Wilberforce in a double-overtime thriller, showcasing the team's resilience and mental toughness under pressure.
The season concluded with a hard-fought appearance in the NAIA Basketball Tournament, where the Bleu Devils’ historic run was ended by William Woods University (MO). Despite the loss, the season marked a significant milestone, re-establishing Dillard as a perennial contender in the NAIA.
The 2025-2026 Campaign: New Challenges in the HBCUAC
The current 2025-2026 season presents a fresh set of challenges and opportunities for the Bleu Devils. Competing in the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) and facing a demanding non-conference schedule, Coach Price's squad is focused on maintaining the championship standard they established. The team's schedule features key regional rivals and new conference foes, ensuring a high level of competition every night.
Roster Dynamics and Key Players
The 2025-2026 roster is a blend of returning veterans and talented newcomers, all tasked with filling the shoes of last season's graduating seniors. The team is currently holding a strong record, demonstrating that the program's depth is intact.
Two critical entities leading the charge are the dynamic guard DaCarter Coleman and forward Justin Warren. Coleman, often seen shooting a floater in key moments, is a crucial part of the offensive strategy, while Warren, a senior from East St. Louis, IL, provides veteran leadership and a strong presence on the boards.
The team is also seeing contributions from emerging talents like John Kelly III, who has been featured in recent news stories, and other players stepping up to take on larger roles.
Conference and Rivalry Matchups
The HBCUAC schedule is packed with intense rivalry games that are essential for conference seeding and bragging rights. The historical rivalry with Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) remains a highlight, often culminating in the annual Bleu Devil Classic, a must-see event for fans in New Orleans. The games against Loyola and Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) also draw significant attention and are crucial for the team's standing.
The addition of new conference opponents, such as Huston-Tillotson, adds another layer of intrigue to the schedule, forcing the Bleu Devils to adapt to different styles of play and travel demands.
Playing their home games in the historic Albert W. Dent Hall, the Bleu Devils feed off the energy of their dedicated student body and alumni base. The atmosphere during conference play, especially for Senior Night, is often electric, providing a distinct home-court advantage that Dillard relies on.
The Future of Dillard Basketball: Sustaining Excellence
The Dillard University Men's Basketball program is clearly on an upward trajectory. The success of the 2024-2025 season has not only raised the profile of the team but has also solidified Coach Joseph Price's vision for sustained excellence. The program is now focused on becoming a consistent presence in the NAIA national tournament, not just a one-off success story.
The emphasis on recruiting high-character athletes, combined with a demanding schedule that prepares them for postseason intensity, ensures the Bleu Devils are always ready for the moment. As the 2025-2026 season progresses, the Dillard community watches with anticipation, knowing that the foundation for a new era of basketball dominance has been laid in New Orleans.
The journey from a program seeking its identity to a conference champion is complete, and the new mission is clear: repeat the success and advance further on the national stage. The current team, led by players like DaCarter Coleman and Justin Warren, is poised to write the next chapter in the proud history of Dillard University basketball.
Detail Author:
- Name : Reece Hoppe MD
- Username : heidenreich.aiyana
- Email : jovan51@frami.com
- Birthdate : 1982-02-09
- Address : 57747 Cronin Keys Hoytton, VT 29945
- Phone : +16188870651
- Company : Fay Group
- Job : Painting Machine Operator
- Bio : Eius aut est quod autem. Earum sint accusantium asperiores voluptates aliquid aperiam id. Voluptatibus accusantium blanditiis modi. Veniam non est et magnam omnis ad. Et et dolorem iste sit quaerat.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/yvonne_xx
- username : yvonne_xx
- bio : Minus ipsa id quod sit nihil. Qui cumque a est possimus vel et minima enim. Et dolores repellendus sed et fugiat qui.
- followers : 6636
- following : 1494
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@kirlin2016
- username : kirlin2016
- bio : Minus officiis molestiae repellendus nulla.
- followers : 6024
- following : 723
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/yvonne_kirlin
- username : yvonne_kirlin
- bio : Consequatur earum quia voluptatem magnam qui. Et enim nam ex in ipsam consequuntur.
- followers : 2307
- following : 997
