SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – With a more experienced group and expectations set on taking the next step, the Skidmore College men's basketball team officially tips off the 2025-26 season by hosting Plattsburgh State in the home opener on Saturday afternoon at 2 PM.

THE SCHEDULE AHEAD
The season begins with a three-game home stand that sees the home opener against Plattsburgh State followed by Middlebury on November 14 at 7 PM and Western Connecticut State on November 19 at 7 PM. The road opener sees Skidmore travel out to Purchase College on November 22 at 2 PM. Initial Liberty League play begins on December 5, when Skidmore hosts RIT in a 7:30 PM matchup. The Thoroughbreds will also host Ithaca on December 6 at 4 PM before traveling out to Vassar on December 10 at 7:30 PM.

Winter break sees the Thoroughbreds travel out to Greensboro, N.C. to compete in the Springhill Suites Guilford Holiday Classic from December 29-30. Skidmore then kicks off the second half of the season by resuming league play on the road at Hobart on January 9 at 7:30 PM. Major home events include the Stable Game on January 31, when the Thoroughbreds are set to host Hobart at 4 PM. Senior Day will also serve as the annual Big Green Scream match against St. Lawrence on February 14 at 4 PM.

LIBERTY LEAGUE TOURNAMENT
The 2026 conference playoff is scheduled to begin with the first-round matches on Tuesday, February 24. Subsequent semifinals will be played on Friday, February 27 before the championship game tips off on Sunday, March 1.

STAR RETURNERS
The Thoroughbreds return the top-three leading scorers from last season, with junior Aidan Roy (13.0 ppg) leading the way alongside fellow junior Charlie Fantom (10.4 ppg) and senior Joey Skoric (10.0 ppg). Skoric is also coming off a stellar defensive season in which the senior led the conference with 2.2 blocks per game, as well as finished second in rebounding with 8.7 boards per game.

INCOMING CLASS
Skidmore welcomes in a pair of new faces from the freshman class.

LEADERSHIP
The 2025-26 team is captained by juniors Aidan Roy and Hakeem Daphnis.

FROM HEAD COACH JOE BURKE
"I think if you look back on the projection last year. It was exactly what we thought. It was painful at times but that was what Phase 2 (PATIENCE) of our renovation project was all about.  The group made really good progress, and I don't think our record was indicative of the steps we made. We were just not quite ready yet. 

We have now set ourselves up well for what is Phase 3 (Perseverance). We realize everything won't be perfect, but we are better suited to handle the bumps in the road.  We also know we have the tools in the toolbox. It is a long season, and we will see how things go but the goal always stays the same around here.  We strive to be playing our best ball in February/March and to compete on the National Stage".