Cobleskill, NY – The SUNY Cobleskill men's basketball team is set to tip off the 2026-27 season as the Fighting Tigers prepare for their inaugural campaign in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC).

Cobleskill enters the new season looking to build on a strong finish to its 2025-26 campaign, which saw the Tigers make a second-half surge to secure a postseason berth. The Fighting Tigers finished with a 12-14 overall record and a 10-8 mark in conference play, carrying momentum into their first season of SUNYAC competition.

Under the direction of sixth-year head coach Justin Maxwell, Cobleskill returns an experienced core alongside a talented group of newcomers expected to make an immediate impact. Maxwell has been pleased with his team's progress throughout the preseason as the Tigers look to establish their identity on both ends of the floor.

"Our growth during the preseason has been exciting to see," said Maxwell. "Our mindset is that it does not matter who we play or where we play, we will always focus on us first. We feel ready to meet the challenge of the SUNYAC."

The Fighting Tigers return eight players from last year's roster, led by senior captain Bruce Wilder Jr. (Rochester, NY) and junior captain Zander Poissant (East Greenbush, NY), who provided a steady presence in the Tigers' rotation last season. Midseason additions Daniel Penubothula (Valley Stream, NY) and Emilio Nabli (Brooklyn, NY) also return after making an immediate impact during the second half of the 2025-26 campaign.

Nabli enters the season as Cobleskill's leading returning scorer after averaging a team-high-tying 10.5 points per game last year. Wilder adds another scoring threat in the backcourt after averaging 8.5 points per contest, while junior Andrew Wright (Berne, NY) returns to anchor the Tigers' frontcourt following a solid sophomore campaign in which he averaged 8.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

"Our returners sparked a second-half surge last year and hope to help us pick up where we left off," said Maxwell. "Bruce and Zander have been named captains and have taken steps forward in their second year with the program. Daniel Penubothula and Emilio Nabli also gave us a much-needed boost last year and are ready for bigger roles this year."

Alongside their returning core, the Tigers welcome eight transfers who will look to provide additional depth, athleticism and versatility on both ends of the court. Highlighting the incoming class is Marcus Wynter (Greenlawn, NY), who joins Cobleskill from Jamestown Community College, and Kaelan Leak (Stillwater, NY), a transfer from SUNY Geneseo.

"The newcomers have given us a lot of energy and excitement with their play in the preseason," said Maxwell. "Marcus Wynter and Kaelan Leak have stood out with their play and leadership. They are leading a group of eight transfers that are ready to contribute."

The Fighting Tigers face a challenging 2026-27 schedule as they enter SUNYAC play. Cobleskill opens the season on Saturday, November 7, with a 2:00 p.m. home matchup against Mount Saint Mary College inside Iorio Gymnasium. Other notable contests include a November 14 road matchup against Russell Sage College and a January 29 home showdown against defending SUNYAC champion SUNY Cortland, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.