Men's Basketball | 11/7/2025 11:00:00 AM
Utica University looks for third-straight Empire 8 Championship as the 2025-26 Empire 8 Men's Basketball season gets Underway on Friday Nov. 7. League play begins with two games between SUNY Geneseo and Keuka and Alfred and Nazareth on Dec. 6. League play continues after the new year on Jan. 6, 2026.
The top eight teams will advance to the E8 Championship Tournament, which will take place with quarterfinal action on Saturday, Feb. 21, semifinal round games on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and the championship three days later on Saturday, Feb. 28. The Empire 8 Champion will receive an automatic berth into the 2025-26 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship.
Fans can watch the action all season long, free of charge on the
Empire 8 Network.
2025-26 Empire 8 Men's Basketball Players to Watch
(Sorted Alphabetically by Institution)
ALFRED UNIVERSITY - Head Coach Erich Kaempffe
Amoi Charles, Sr., F, Elmont, NY/H. Frank Carey - Charles, a 2024-25 second team all-conference selection was a top-two scorer for the Saxons last season. He averaged 11.5 points per game, shooting 42 percent from the floor and 34 percent from 3-point range. He also averaged 6.2 rebounds per game and led the team in both steals (40) and blocks (27).
Tyler Hind, Sr., G, Randolph, NY/Randolph - Hind, a 2024-25 third team all-conference selection, led the Saxons in scoring last season. He averaged 12.4 points per game, shooting 34 percent from 3-point range. He added 26 total steals on the season.
SUNY BROCKPORT - Head Coach Joe Clarke
Jacob Oka, Sr., G/F, Baldwin, NY/Baldwin - Oka started 13 of the 26 games he appeared in in 2024-25. He averaged 7.5 points per game with 196 total points. He shot 51 percent from the floor and 85 percent from the free throw line. He was third in rebounds averaging 5.2 per game. He also led the team in blocks with 18.
Zachary Rice, Sr., G, Brunswick, NY/Tamarac - Rice, a 2024-25 third team all-conference selection, was second in points for the Golden Eagles last season. He averaged 11.4 points per game and shot 46 percent from the floor and 39 percent from 3-point land. He averaged 5.9 rebounds per game and totaled 31 steals.
ELMIRA COLLEGE - Head Coach Denis Tobin
Kelton Brown, So., G, Olive Branch, MS/Olive Branch - Brown was a top-two scorer for the Soaring Eagles in 2024-25. He averaged 12.1 points per game with 255 total points. He added 56 assists and 41 steals on the season.
Chris Woodard, So., F, Elmira, NY/Elmira - Woodard averaged 7.3 points per game in 2024-25 with 182 total points. He averaged 5.3 rebounds per game and totaled 19 assists and 15 steals.
SUNY GENESEO - Head Coach Steve Minton
Josh Garelle, Jr., G/F, Rockville, Centre, NY/South Side - Garelle, a third team all-conference selection, led the Knights with 14.1 points per game with 352 total points. He shot 56 percent from the floor and averaged 6.4 rebounds per game. He added 81 assists and 31 steals.
Robert Pericolosi, Jr., Rockville Centre, NY/South Side - Pericolosi was top-three in scoring for the Knights in 2024-25. He averaged 11.5 points per game with 299 total points. He shot 41 percent from 3-point range, leading the team. He led the way in rebounds averaging 7.8 rebounds per game and tied for first in assists with 81.
HARTWICK COLLEGE - Head Coach Brad Cooper
Samaj Barnwell, Jr., F, Stockbridge, GA/Santa Ana College - Barnwell is an exciting addition to the Hawks squad this season. He will be expected to be a big contributor as the season gets started.
Mike Gitz, Jr., G, Commack, NY/Commack - Gitz was a top-scorer for the Hawks last season. He averaged 10.9 points per game while shooting 37.4 percent from 3-point range. He added 20 assists on the season.
HOUGHTON UNIVERSITY - Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
Lou Bellamy, Jr., F, Tampa, FL/Johnson University - Bellamy, a 2024-25 second team all-conference and third team D3hoops.com all-region pick, had a fantastic 2024-25 season. He averaged 15.9 points per game and shot 49 percent from the floor. He led the Highlanders in rebounds, averaging nine rebounds per game.
Jake Verschoyle, Jr., G, Dublin, Ireland/Virginia College - Verschoyle, in 24 games, totaled 58 points on the season and shot 47 percent from the floor. He added 37 rebounds and 10 steals.
KEUKA COLLEGE - Head Coach Tom Wilk
Akinlana Popoola, Sr., G, Cleveland, OH/Pauda Franciscan - Popoola, a 2024-25 third team all-conference selection, led the Wolves on offense last season. He averaged 15.7 points per game, shooting 46 percent from 3-point range. He also had a team-high 36 steals.
Marcus Reed, Sr., F, Queens, NY/Our Saviour Lutheran - Reed was a top-scorer for the Wolves in 2024-25. He averaged 9.9 points per game and added 11 steals and 12 blocks on the season.
NAZARETH UNIVERSITY - Head Coach Kevin Broderick
Luke Insley, Gr., G, Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder - Insley, a 2024-25 All-E8 first team all-conference selection, was second in NCAA Division III in assist/turnover ratio at 4.62. He averaged 10.8 points per game and shot 48 percent from the floor. He led the league in assists with 180 and added 12 steals to his season.
Jaylen Savage, Sr., G, Elmsford, NY/Alexander Hamilton - Savage, the 2024-25 Empire 8 Player of the Year and 2022-23 E8 Rookie of the Year, earned first team D3hoops.com all-region and first team NABC all-american honors. He led the Golden Flyers in scoring averaging 21 points per game. He shot 45 percent from the floor and 41 percent from 3-point range. He added 52 assists and 43 steals to top off his 2024-25 season. Savage enters his final season with 1,281 career points.
SUNY POLY - Head Coach Rob Schoener
Kamryn Comstock, Jr., F, Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville - Comstock averaged 9.3 points per game for the Wildcats in 2024-25 and totaled 260 points. He shot 59 percent from the floor and 46 percent from 3-point range. He led the team in rebounds, averaging 7.5 rebounds per game. He added 23 steals on the season.
Anthony Rose, Sr., G, Bronx, NY/Fannie Lou Hammer - Rose, a two-time E8 Player to Watch and 2024-25 first team all-conference selection, had an impressive first season in the Empire 8. He led the Wildcats in scoring, averaging 16.1 points per game. He shot 49 percent from the floor and 42 percent from three. He averaged 5.8 rebounds per game and added 41 total assists and 25 steals.
RUSSELL SAGE COLLEGE - Head Coach Brian Barnes
Brandon Harris, Sr., G, Elmsford, NY/Alexander Hamilton/Herkimer CC - Harris, a 2024-25 third team all-conference selection, was the top-scorer for the Gators last season. He totaled 323 points, shooting 79.4 percent at the free throw line. He added 128 total rebounds and 28 steals.
Khalel Noteman, Jr., C, Brookyln, NY/Canarsie - Noteman is an exciting prospect for the 2025-26 Gator squad. In 17 games, he shot 40 percent from the floor with 23 total rebounds and three blocks.
ST. JOHN FISHER UNIVERSITY - Head Coach Mike Grosodonia II
Louis Fay, Sr., F, Wellesley, MA/Wellesley - Fay appeared in 24 games in 2024-25 and scored 102 points averaging 4.3 per game, and brought in 72 rebounds. He averaged three rebounds per game and added 21 assists.
Max Michalski, So., F, Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Sutherland - In his debut season, Michalski appeared in 23 games and made nine starts. He averaged 5.9 points and four rebounds per game. He was second on the team with 18 blocked shots.
UTICA UNIVERSITY - Head Coach Sean Coffey
Liam Teague, Sr., F, Guilderland, NY/Guilderland - Teague averaged 8.8 points per game and shot .424 percent from 3-point range in 13 starts in 2024-25. He was second on Utica in rebounds per game average with 5.5 and led the team in blocks with 35.
Daiyon Thompson, Sr., G, Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy - Thompson, a 2024-25 All-Empire first team selection, had a stellar junior season with the Pioneers. He led the team averaging 15.6 points per game. He shot 43 percent from the floor and 39 percent from 3-point range. Had added 60 assists, 49 steals and 12 blocks on the season.
Final 2024-25 Empire 8 Men's Basketball Standings
Brockport (17-10, 14-2 E8)
Utica (21-8, 12-4 E8) - League Champions
Nazareth (17-10, 11-5 E8)
Poly (18-10, 11-5 E8)
Alfred (14-12, 10-6 E8)
Russell Sage (16-10, 9-7 E8)
Houghton (13-16, 8-8 E8)
Geneseo (9-17, 6-10 E8)
Keuka (9-15, 6-10 E8)
Elmira (7-18, 3-13 E8)
St. John Fisher (7-18, 3-13 E8)
Hartwick (3-22, 3-13 E8)
2024-25 Empire 8 Men's Basketball Tournament Recap
Quarterfinals
No. 1 SUNY Brockport defeated No. 8 SUNY Geneseo, 87-66 – BOX SCORE
No. 2 Utica defeated No. 7 Houghton, 80-68 – BOX SCORE
No. 3 Nazareth defeated No. 6 Russell Sage, 73-65 – BOX SCORE
No. 4 SUNY Poly defeated No. 5 Alfred, 66-65 – BOX SCORE
Semifinals
No. 4 SUNY Poly defeated at No. 1 SUNY Brockport , 92-89 – BOX SCORE
No. 2 Utica defeated No. 3 Nazareth, 85-79 – BOX SCORE
Championship
No. 2 Utica defeated No. 3 SUNY Poly, 89-76 – BOX SCORE
2024-25 Empire 8 Men's Basketball Championship Tournament Most Valuable Player
Damien Call, Gr., F, Utica
2024-25 Empire 8 Men's Basketball Returning All-Americans, All-Region & Major Conference Award Winners
- Jaylen Savage, Nazareth, Sr., G, Elmsford, NY/Alexander Hamilton - 2024-25 Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year, 2022-23 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, 2024-25 NABC First Team All-American, 2024-25 D3hoops.com First Team All-Region
- Merritt Holly, Nazareth, So., C, Le Roy, NY/Le Roy - 2024-25 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year
- Lou Bellamy, Houghton, Jr., F, Tampa, FL/Johnson University - 2024-25 D3hoops.com Third Team All-Region