Alfred, NY – The Alfred State men's basketball team will begin a new era in 2026-27 as the Pioneers enter their first season in the SUNYAC, highlighted by 25 regular-season contests and 11 home games inside Orvis Gym.

Head coach Austin Buschang said this about the upcoming season and the move to the SUNYAC:

I think we have a really good group of guys. I'm excited that we have a team full of guys I recruited for the first time in my career, feels like an exciting new stage in building up the program. The move to the SUNYAC is a new, exciting challenge, but above all else I would say the new faces meshing with our returners is the most exciting part for me. I think it's a step up for us in prestige and general conference pedigree. There are some great programs in both the AMCC and the SUNYAC, but it feels like a better fit for us as an institution to be with other SUNY's as we build up all of our athletic programs.

Senior guard Eli Taft shared his excitement for the upcoming season:

I'm excited to play my final year of college basketball with this group of guys. I'm a huge fan of the team Coach Buschang has put together. Playing in the SUNYAC is very exciting for me, as most of the games are closer to home. That means more of my family will be able to watch me play during my senior season.

Alfred State opens the season as host of the BSN Tip-Off Tournament on Nov. 6-7 before welcoming Houghton University to Orvis Gym on Nov. 11. The non-conference schedule also includes challenging matchups against RIT, Elmira, SUNY Geneseo, Hilbert, Binghamton, Juniata, and Keuka, providing the Pioneers with a strong test before conference play begins.

Conference action begins in December with road contests at Cortland and SUNY Canton before the heart of the SUNYAC schedule gets underway in January. Alfred State will host conference rivals Fredonia, Buffalo State, SUNY Delhi, Oneonta, SUNY Morrisville, Oswego State, Cortland, and SUNY Potsdam throughout the season.

Following the regular season, the top teams in the conference will compete in the SUNYAC Tournament beginning with the quarterfinal round on Feb. 23. The semifinals are scheduled for Feb. 26, followed by the conference championship game on Feb. 27.

Season Outlook

Taft shared his excitement about the upcoming campaign

I hope to bring the knowledge I've learned in the past three years to all of my teammates on and off the court to help us be a successful team. With this being my last year, I plan to leave it all on the court for one last time, and I can already tell this will be my favorite year of my career here. To finish my career with a successful season would absolutely mean the world to me, this sport has meant so much to me for majority of my life. Being able to walk away from college basketball with a successful season would mean so much to me and my family. 

Coach Buschang is optimistic about the group's potential heading into the program's first SUNYAC campaign.

I think we have a very athletic team, and as a program we've talked about our identity being a team that is going to push the ball in transition and look to control the glass on both ends.

Players to Watch

Coach Buschang highlighted several players who are expected to make significant contributions this season.

I think for our team to reach its full potential this year, we'll need all of the returners to take a step, but to highlight a couple, I'd say we'll be leaning on our two seniors, Kennyh Hardeman and Eli Taft.

He also pointed to a few emerging players who could have breakout seasons and help the Pioneers compete for a SUNYAC Tournament berth.

With a transfer-heavy recruiting class like the one we brought in this season, we're definitely going to be putting some of those guys in big spots to come through for us. To highlight just two, Will Vetter and Ziquan Roe are two guys that I believe will fill important roles this season.

With a veteran core, talented newcomers, and the challenge of competing in one of the region's premier conferences, the Pioneers enter 2026-27 eager to make their mark in their inaugural SUNYAC campaign. Fans can follow the team throughout the season by visiting AlfredStateAthletics.com.

Game-by-Game Schedule

November

Nov. 6 | vs. Carlow University (Pa.) | 5 p.m. | Alfred, NY | BSN Tip-Off Tournament
The Pioneers open the season at Alfred University for the opening game of the BSN Tip-Off Tournament.

Nov. 7 | BSN Tip-Off Tournament Consolation/Championship | 3 or 5 p.m | Alfred, NY (Orvis Gym)
Alfred State wraps up tournament action on the second day of competition.

Nov. 11 | Houghton University | 7 p.m. | Alfred, NY (Orvis Gym)
The Pioneers welcome a regional rival to Orvis Gym.

Nov. 14 | at RIT | 7 p.m. | Rochester, NY
Alfred State faces a strong road test against the Tigers.

Nov. 18 | at Elmira College | 6 p.m. | Elmira, NY
The Pioneers continue their road swing against the Soaring Eagles.

Nov. 24 | SUNY Geneseo | 5 p.m. | Alfred, NY (Orvis Gym)
A quality SUNY opponent visits Orvis Gym before the Thanksgiving break.

December

Dec. 2 | at Hilbert College | 7 p.m. | Hamburg, NY
The Pioneers return to action on the road against Hilbert.

Dec. 5 | at Binghamton University | 3:30 p.m. | Vestal, NY
Alfred State takes on a Division I opponent in one of its biggest tests of the season.

Dec. 8 | at Cortland | 7:30 p.m. | Cortland, NY*
The Pioneers officially begin SUNYAC competition.

Dec. 12 | at SUNY Canton | 4 p.m. | Canton, NY*
Alfred State closes out the semester with another conference road matchup.

January

Jan. 2 | Juniata College | 3 p.m. | Alfred, NY (Orvis Gym)
The Pioneers begin 2027 with a home non-conference contest.

Jan. 5 | Keuka College | 3 p.m. | Alfred, NY (Orvis Gym)
Alfred State concludes non-conference play against the Wolves.

Jan. 8 | Fredonia | 7:30 p.m. | Alfred, NY (Orvis Gym)*
Conference action resumes in Orvis Gym.

Jan. 9 | Buffalo State | 4 p.m. | Alfred, NY (Orvis Gym)*
The Pioneers host Buffalo State in the second game of opening conference weekend.

Jan. 15 | at Oswego State | 7:30 p.m. | Oswego, NY*
A challenging road weekend begins against the Lakers.

Jan. 16 | at SUNY Morrisville | 4 p.m. | Morrisville, NY*
The Pioneers complete the weekend road trip against the Mustangs.

Jan. 22 | SUNY Delhi | 7:30 p.m. | Alfred, NY (Orvis Gym)*
Alfred State returns home for an important conference contest.

Jan. 23 | Oneonta | 4 p.m. | Alfred, NY (Orvis Gym)*
The Red Dragons make their first trip to Alfred as SUNYAC opponents.

Jan. 29 | at Plattsburgh State | 7:30 p.m. | Plattsburgh, NY*
The Pioneers head north for a key conference matchup.

Jan. 30 | at SUNY Cobleskill | 4 p.m. | Cobleskill, NY*
Alfred State closes out January on the road.

February

Feb. 5 | SUNY Morrisville | 7:30 p.m. | Alfred, NY (Orvis Gym)*
The Mustangs visit Orvis Gym for the second meeting of the season.

Feb. 6 | Oswego State | 4 p.m. | Alfred, NY (Orvis Gym)*
The Pioneers look to strengthen their conference standing.

Feb. 12 | at Buffalo State | 7:30 p.m. | Buffalo, NY*
Alfred State begins its final regular-season road trip.

Feb. 13 | at Fredonia | 4 p.m. | Fredonia, NY*
The Pioneers conclude the road portion of conference play.

Feb. 17 | Cortland | 7:30 p.m. | Alfred, NY (Orvis Gym)*
A pivotal late-season matchup takes place in Orvis Gym.

Feb. 20 | SUNY Potsdam | 4 p.m. | Alfred, NY (Orvis Gym)*
The regular season concludes on Senior Day.

SUNYAC Tournament

Feb. 24 | SUNYAC Quarterfinals | TBA
Feb. 27 | SUNYAC Semifinals | TBA
Feb. 28 | SUNYAC Championship | TBA