SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Skidmore College men's basketball team is set to begin its 2024-25 season on the road at Plattsburgh on Friday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.
 
The Thoroughbreds are coming off a 4-20 season in 2023-24. It was just the second time under Joe Burke that the program has missed the playoffs. Since 2010, Skidmore has the most successful run in the Liberty League, with five conference titles and six NCAA Tournament appearances. With a fresh slate and nothing but opportunity ahead, the coaching staff believes that they have the ingredients to start to return to the level.
 
THE SCHEDULE AHEAD
After opening at Plattsburgh, the Thoroughbreds will host Regis College in their home opener on Monday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. Skidmore also has non-league home games against Alfred State (Nov. 15) and Potsdam (Nov. 20). The conference slate starts on the road Dec. 6-7 at Clarkson and St. Lawrence. Then, Skidmore hosts Vassar on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
 
As the calendar turns, the team will make a trip west for two games in California before jumping back into league play Jan. 10-11 at RPI and Union. Second-half home games include weekends against RIT/Hobart (Jan. 17-18), Bard/Ithaca (Jan. 24-25), Union/RPI (Jan. 31/Feb. 2), and St. Lawrence/Clarkson (Feb. 21-22). Special events include Alumni Day Jan. 25 and the Big Green Scream and Senior Day, which is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22.
 
LIBERTY LEAGUE TOURNAMENT
The first round of the conference championship tournament will be on Tuesday, Feb. 25 followed by the semifinals (Feb. 28) and championship (March 2).
 
STAR RETURNERS
Jake Walsh (12.2 ppg) and Aidan Roy (11.5 ppg) were the team's scoring leaders last season and are both back. Charlie Fantom averaged 15.6 points per game before his season was cut short due to injury. Joey Skoric (7.9 rpg) returns as the league's leading rebounder a year ago and Alexei Downie figures to return to the fold after also being limited due to injury in 2023-24. There are 12 returners from last season's roster.
 
INCOMING TALENT
Skidmore welcomes in four new faces including three first-years and one transfer.
 
LEADERSHIP
The 2024-25 team is captained by seniors Downie and Walsh.
 
FROM HEAD COACH JOE BURKE
"I know this group is as excited as I am to get going as we enter Phase 2 of our renovation project. These guys were dealt a tough hand last year for a lot of different reasons, none of which they could control. However, through the adversity, they were able to grow and mature together. We added some really nice pieces, and while we still have a long way to go, I am confident we are moving towards being one of the best teams in D3 college basketball again.  
 
"We are not 'old' by any stretch and that's a battle we will have to continue to fight against as this is the final season for the fifth-year, grad-student COVID eligibility rules. I can say though, we are a year older, a year stronger, and a year smarter. We have really good players who are high-character people. This has always been the formula for success around here. They need to continue to put in the work and play together. They will be the best version of themselves as the season progresses and the future is bright. It may not be tomorrow, it may not be next week, it may not even be next month, but it's coming."