Waterville, ME – The 2025/26 Men's Basketball Season has begun, and student-athletes competed in their first preseason scrimmage against Washington County Community College on October 25^th, 2025. The final score was a 115-51 win, and the team will compete in their annual NCAA Division I exhibition matchup on November 3^rd, 2025, when they travel to take on Stonehill College. Tip off is scheduled for 5:00 PM.
 
Head Men's Basketball Coach Marquis Mason-Pollard and his coaching staff have worked hard to bring in a large incoming class of first year students and transfers. Coach Pollard had this to say about this incoming class: "Our group of first years and newcomers have made an immediate impact on the culture of our team. The energy, focus, camaraderie, and commitment from the players have been outstanding throughout the preseason. We are eager to see how this group continues to come together as the season progresses. This is a tremendous group of young men, and I am excited for the contributions they will continue to make both on and off the court." Those incoming student-athletes are as follows:
 

• Jayden Kim – Guard – First Year – South Portland, Maine - Two-time Maine State Champion at South Portland, two-time MAISAD Champion at Kent's Hill, Class C All NEPSAC, Class B All NEPSAC Honorable Mention
• Isaiah Godley – Guard – First Year – Greenville, North Carolina - All Conference and All Conference Second Team NCHSAA
• Landon Voros – Guard – First Year – Norridgewock, Maine
• Omri Sarid – Guard – First Year – Ramat Yishay, Israel
• Nate Hebert – Guard – First Year – Gray, Maine - State Champion at Gray New Gloucester, 1000-point scorer, two-time All-Conference First Team, Maine McDonalds All Star, Big Time Hoops All Star
• Calan Denne – Guard – First Year – Pontiac, Michigan
• Brady Adams – Guard – First Year – Sanford, Maine – All Conference Honorable Mention
• Lance Crowell – Forward – First Year – Chesapeake, Virginia
• Colby Mitchell – Forward – First Year – New Gloucester, Maine - State Champion at Gray New Gloucester, WMC All Conference Third Team, WMC All Conference Defensive Team Second Team, Maine McDonalds All Star
• Cole Perkins – Guard – First Year – Kennebunk, Maine
• DeNash Davis – Forward – First Year – Hamilton, Bermuda - Represented Bermuda's U16 National Team in Canada in 2023
• Jayden Desimone – Guard – Junior – Providence, Rhode Island - Second Team All NJCAA Region 21
• Ibrahim Doumbouya – Guard – Junior – Attleboro, Massachusetts

 
The team also has some important returners, and Coach Pollard wanted to recognize a few student-athletes he feels will play a big role this upcoming season. "TJ Blackmon, coming off an injury that cut his first year short, will provide stability and leadership at the point guard position. Faron Cureton has taken significant strides over the last couple of years, and we expect him to make an impact as a reliable three and D player. Omri Sarid is one of the oldest student-athletes in the locker room and brings a level of professionalism that all our guys can learn from. Spencer Minihan, our only returning starter from last season, will continue to be someone we depend on consistently.
 
Looking at goals for the upcoming season, Coach Pollard has put forward several key benchmarks he wants to hit. "Our primary goal is to continue developing our student-athletes both on and off the court by challenging them to grow in aspects like leadership, work ethic, and accountability. From a team perspective, we are focused on competing at a high level every night, maintaining toughness and physicality, building consistency, and putting ourselves in position to contend for a spot in the postseason".
 
With the new North Atlantic Conference schedule system, the team will take on every conference opponent twice, once home, and once away. Coach Pollard believes the team will make the most of their early home matchups. "We are especially looking forward to the Meader Cup against Farmington, and our first home conference weekend against Husson and UMPI. In addition, we are excited about traveling to Kentucky in December to compete in a tournament at Centre College, where we will face both Centre College and Berea College." The 2025/26 Men's Basketball home schedule is listed below:
 
October 24^th VS University of Maine Fort Kent – 5:00 PM (Exhibition)
November 15^th VS University of Maine Fort Kent – 5:00 PM (Charlie Ryan Classic)
November 16^th VS Framingham State University – 3:00 PM (Charlie Ryan Classic)
November 19^th VS Colby College – 7:00 PM (Elm City Classic)
November 21^st VS Husson University – 5:30 PM
November 22^nd VS University of Maine Presque Isle – 3:00 PM
December 5^th VS University of Maine Farmington – 5:30 PM (Best Buddies Inclusion Night)
December 6^th VS Maine Maritime Academy – 3:00 PM
January 23^rd VS VTSU Lyndon – 5:30 PM
January 24^th VS VTSU Johnson – 1:00 PM
February 7^th VS Lesley University – 1:00 PM
February 13^th VS SUNY Cobleskill – 5:30 PM
February 14^th VS SUNY Delhi – 1:00 PM
 
Coach Pollard also wanted to emphasize his appreciation for all the support both he and the program receives. "We are grateful for the continued support from our alumni, families, and community. Their involvement plays an essential role in the growth and success of our program, and we look forward to sharing this journey with them throughout the season."
 
Men's Basketball will be back in action on Monday, November 3^rd, 2025, when they travel to take on NCAA Division I school Stonehill College. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.