SARTAOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Skidmore College men's basketball team opens the 2021-22 season at home on Saturday, Nov. 13 at noon versus Stevens. It will be the first game for the Thoroughbreds in 630 days.
 
"The entire team and staff are really excited to be back on the court together and to play in front of our fan base," said Skidmore head coach Joe Burke. "We have spent a lot of time talking about the tough circumstances that we are going to have to deal with throughout the year. At the end of the day, the teams that can mentally and physically handle adversity the best are going to have an advantage."
 
Since 2011, Skidmore has had tremendous success in the Liberty League, with five conference titles and six appearances in the championship game. The coaching staffs around the league have taken notice. "We haven't played a game in almost two years, but when you have five of the last 10 conference championships, you realize you have a target on your back all the time," Burke said. "Our guys will be prepared. Our expectations as always are to win the league, advance in the NCAA Tournament, and compete for a national championship. Those expectations will never change as long as I am here."
 
Skidmore finished 7-18 in 2019-20 and 6-12 in the Liberty League. The Thoroughbreds scored 66.3 points per game. All five of Skidmore's leading scorers are returning for the 2021-22 season: senior Ty Lamport (12.7 PPG), juniors Harrison Eichelberger (19.0 PPG), Tautvydas Kupstas (13.2 PPG), Greg Skoric (9.2 PPG), and Riley Greene (8.8 PPG). Senior Bobby Stratts and junior Raven Ennis are also returning to the squad.
 
Slated to make their collegiate debuts are sophomores George Ogenah, Ian Bentley, and Amani Gottlieb, as well as freshmen Jake Walsh, Alexei Downie, Sebastian Parenti, and Mark Engel. Coach Burke said, "my biggest concern is chemistry. We are a program that is built on understanding how to play together and half of our roster has never played in a college basketball game. We have some outstanding returners and they have done a great job bringing the younger guys along. Training camp has been productive, and I am excited about what this group can become in the next few months."
 
Skidmore will play six of its first seven contests at home, culminating in a conference-opening weekend Dec. 3 and 4 against Clarkson and St. Lawrence. Other notable home contests are the Stable Game on Jan. 29 versus Union and the Big Green Scream and Senior Day on Feb. 5 versus Ithaca. The Liberty League Tournament takes place the last week of February. Coach Burke expects to be in attendance. "This group will be at its best in February and March."