Landmark Men's Basketball 2025-26 Season Preview

2024-25 Recap

Drew University set the program record for victories (24), became the first men’s basketball team to go undefeated in Landmark Conference play (18–0), achieved the first national ranking in team history, and set both a program and conference record with 16 straight wins. The Rangers capped it off by capturing their second Landmark title.

Drew defeated Catholic University, 85–70, in the championship game, with Malcolm Newman earning Tournament Most Valuable Player honors.

Despite falling to Drew in the final, Catholic earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after a 22–5 regular season and strong NPI ranking.

On the National Stage

Drew fell in the first round, 73–58, to Ramapo College.

Catholic made its 16th NCAA appearance in the Division III era and entered the tournament with 17 previous NCAA victories. The Cardinals opened with an 84–50 win at Franklin & Marshall before taking down Randolph–Macon, 79–67, in the second round.

Their biggest moment came against Roanoke, where Catholic erased a 19-point second-half deficit and outscored the Maroons 55–42 to force overtime, eventually sealing the win and advancing to the Elite 8 for just the third time in program history. The Cardinals’ run ended against Trinity (Conn.), finishing the season with 25 wins, which tied for the third-most in program history.

Catholic University

• Head Coach: Aaron Kelly (7th Season)
• Team Titles: 3 (2013, 2016, 2024)
• 2025-26 Projected Finish: 1st

Team Outlook

The Cardinals are coming off a 25‑6 season, which was the third-most wins in program history. Brian Herbert, Jamie Ntiamoah, CJ Ruoff, and Google Seidman form a solid core to lead a team that thrives on balanced scoring and tough defense. Key losses include All-Conference selection and Player of the Year Sean Neylon, along with Second Teamer Dan Buckley and Justin Green, but D1 transfer Chris Rubayo from Lafayette adds depth and experience.

Drew University

• Head Coach: Ryan Van Zelst (1st Season)
• Team Titles: 2 (2021, 2025)
• 2025-26 Projected Finish: 5th

Team Outlook

The Rangers went 24‑4 last season and went unbeaten in conference play at 18‑0. Senior forward and Defensive Player of the Year David Musial, junior guard Eli Yusavage, senior forward Kevin Cronin, and senior guard Devon Musial return to anchor the team under first-year head coach Ryan Van Zelst. Drew will need to replace top scorers and all-conference performers Josh Kline, Malcolm Newman, and Pat Higgins, but the returning core provides experience.

Elizabethtown College

• Head Coach: Britt Moore (9th Season)
• Team Titles: 0
• 2025-26 Projected Finish: 7th

Team Outlook

Elizabethtown finished 10‑15 last season, 7‑11 in the Landmark. Austin Finarelli (503 points, 20.1 PPG) headlines the returning core alongside EJ Finney, Ben Stanton, Reese Ziegler, and Zuri Harris. Finarelli was Second-Team All-Conference last year, and Finney led the Landmark in assists with 152. The Blue Jays lost Rance Russo and Alon Gorham but return a mix of scoring and playmakers.

Goucher College

• Head Coach: Justin Klingman (3rd Season)
• Team Titles: 0
• 2025-26 Projected Finish: 8th

Team Outlook

The Gophers finished 4‑21 last season (3‑15 Landmark) but return a solid group in the 2023 Rookie of the Year Liech Kong, Darnell Morris Jr., Brian Griffin, and Jaydss Fifer. They’ll need to replace Darrell Green, Alex Miller, and Can Dalli, but the returning players provide experience. Goucher averaged 66 points per game and shot 42.8% from the field last year.

Juniata College

• Head Coach: Greg Curley (25th Season)
• Team Titles: 0
• 2025-26 Projected Finish: 9th

Team Outlook

Juniata went 2‑23 last season and returns a very young roster with no seniors, three juniors, nine sophomores, and six first-years. Ty Kocak, Jayden Bilger, Jaiden Aze, and Ayden Hurley, who all saw significant playing time last year as underclassmen, provide the team’s experience and leadership.

Moravian University

• Head Coach: Michael Mayes (Interim)
• Team Titles: 2 (2018, 2019)
• 2025-26 Projected Finish: 4th

Team Outlook

The Greyhounds have 12 returning letterwinners and three starters back from last year's squad that finished 16-10 and played in the Landmark Conference Tournament First Round. The group of returning Hounds includes senior forward Marquis Ratcliff, who was named to the 2024 and 2025 Landmark All-Conference First Team after being the 2023 Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year, and senior guard Chad Kratzer, who made the Landmark All-Conference Honorable Mention last season in his first year with the program.

University of Scranton

• Head Coach: Carl Danzig (25th Season)
• Team Titles: 8 (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2023)
• 2025-26 Projected Finish: 6th

Team Outlook

Scranton finished 12‑14 last season, 7‑11 in the Landmark. The roster includes three seniors, including Jon Spatola (11.6 PPG, led conference in steals), four juniors, three sophomores, including Sammy Tornabene (8.7 PPG, Landmark Rookie of the Year), and five first-years. Will McLoughlin, who earned First-Team All-Conference honors last season, has departed, giving the returning players opportunities to step up.

Susquehanna University

• Head Coach: Frank Marcinek (37th Season)
• Team Titles: 2 (2020, 2022)
• 2025-26 Projected Finish: 2nd

Team Outlook

Susquehanna finished 15‑12 last season. Billy Anderson returns after averaging 14.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, earning All-Landmark Second Team honors. Brandon Lavitt adds 9.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 0.7 steals per game, providing steady scoring and defensive leadership. While Susquehanna shot the long ball well last year with 202 threes, expect to see a blend of tenacious ball under the rim, led by senior center Audric Washington, and a sharp shooting and precision play calling from senior guard Jackson Van Wagener.