Men's Basketball | 11/5/2026 1:41:00 PM
LORETTO, Pa. – The Saint Francis University men's basketball team opens the 2026-27 season Friday, Nov. 6, when it hosts Susquehanna University at DeGol Arena. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
There are plenty of new faces on the Red Wolves squad and they have a strong challenge ahead of them. The schedule features three teams that played in the NCAA Tournament a season ago and that includes Friday night's opponent.
Susquehanna comes to town as the reigning Landmark Conference Tournament champion. The River Hawks won three straight road games in their conference tournament to win the title and a trip to the NCAA tournament.
It was the 10
th appearance and seventh under head coach Frank Marcinek. He is in his 36
th season. Marcinek is the winningest coach in program history. His record entering the opener is 543-389.
This year marks the second year as head coach for
Luke McConnell, but it is his 14
th season with the program. McConnell joined the basketball staff after graduating from SFU in 2012.
He's excited to tip it off for real.
"There is a lot of 'new' as we begin the 2026-27 season. New conference, new opponents, and 20 of our 24 players this year will be new to Saint Francis basketball," McConnell said. "They have done a phenomenal job in the weight room, on the court, and in the classroom."
Saint Francis leans on a returning core and two captains to guide a young roster. McConnell named senior
Trey Weiand and sophomore transfer
Noah Prosser as team captains.
"A well-deserved honor and as a coach I am so grateful to have them leading our program," McConnell said. "Both have led this program consistently with their actions and their words since day one."
Weiand is one of four returning players, along with junior
Carson Rhodes, sophomore
Brandon Rabish and junior guard
Melvin Weaver III. McConnell said it's been rewarding to see their improvement from year to year.
This is the program's first season in the Presidents' Athletic Conference. Earlier this week, the PAC announced its men's basketball preseason poll. This is the second season the PAC will have a divisional format. Each team will play 16 games in the regular season against conference foes. Schools will play their divisional opponents twice and teams from the other division once.
Saint Francis was placed in the South Division; however, the team is not eligible for postseason as the University continues its reclassification to Division III.
Defending PAC champion Washington & Jefferson was picked as the favorite to win the South, while Westminster got the top spot in the North division.
Saint Francis will open conference play Nov. 21 at Saint Vincent. The first PAC home game is Nov. 30 against Waynesburg.
"We are so excited to compete in the PAC this year. It is an extremely well-coached league that is going to test you night in and night out," McConnell said. "You have to bring it every single night in the PAC and we look forward to the competition ahead. As always, we have also put together a very challenging non-conference with multiple NCAA tournament teams to help prepare us for conference play."
Click here for the 2026-27 schedule
"This preseason has been a lot of fun as we start to build this program one day at a time," he said. "This group is going to be a lot of fun as we continue to strive to be the most together, tough and selfless team on the court every night."
McConnell told fans to expect a high, up-tempo style of play.
"We cannot wait to get out and play in front of the fans at DeGol Arena. From Band, cheer, dance to the students to the local community. Those guys make it one of the most electric places to play," McConnell said. "We have a really hungry group and a fun brand of basketball this year. Can't wait to get back out on the court with everyone!"
| 2026-27 PAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll (North Division) |
| School (first-place votes) |
Points |
2025-26 record (conference) |
| 1. Westminster College (12) |
72 |
19-9 (12-4 PAC) |
| 2. Grove City College |
56 |
11-15 (8-8 PAC) |
| 3. Allegheny College (1) |
53 |
10-16 (8-8 PAC) |
| 4. Geneva College |
39 |
10-16 (7-9 PAC) |
| 5. Thiel College |
24 |
6-18 (3-13 PAC) |
| 6. Hiram College |
23 |
6-20 (2-14 PAC) |
| 2026-27 PAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll (South Division) |
| School (first-place votes) |
Points |
2025-26 record (conference) |
| 1. Washington & Jefferson College (7) |
67 |
23-7 (12-4 PAC) |
| 2. Franciscan University (6) |
63 |
21-7 (12-4 PAC) |
| 3. Chatham University |
47 |
18-8 (12-4 PAC) |
| 4. Saint Vincent College |
44 |
16-10 (11-5 PAC) |
| 5. Bethany College |
27 |
10-15 (6-10 PAC) |
| 6. Waynesburg University |
19 |
7-18 (3-13 PAC) |
| Saint Francis University* |
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7-24 (5-13 NEC) |
* - Ineligible for PAC Championship as school reclassifies from Division I
