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Men's Basketball

Men’s Basketball Opens 2025-26 Season at VCU Monday Night

RICHMOND, Va. — The Wagner men's basketball team opens its 2025-26 campaign on Monday night with a road matchup at Atlantic 10 member VCU. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Siegel Center, streaming live on ESPN+ and MASN with Sean Robertson and Ed Nixon on the call.

Season Opener on the Road

The Seahawks open the season on the road for the fourth consecutive year and will begin the campaign with seven straight road contests — the longest stretch to start a season in program history. Wagner's 29-game schedule features 13 home matchups and 16 on the road.

Series History

Monday's contest marks the third all-time meeting between Wagner and VCU, with the Seahawks holding a 2-0 advantage. Wagner earned a 58-44 victory over the Rams on Nov. 13, 2021, and previously defeated VCU, 82-72, on Nov. 30, 2002 — both in Richmond.

The 2025-26 Seahawks

The Seahawks enter the 2025-26 season under interim head coach Dwan McMillan, who spent last year as an assistant on the Wagner staff. The Green & White finished 14-16 overall and 6-10 in NEC play in 2024-25, earning the No. 6 seed in the NEC Tournament before falling to eventual champion Saint Francis in the quarterfinals. Wagner closed the season ranked fourth nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 60.6 points per game. This year's roster features ten newcomers — seven from the NJCAA level, two from NCAA Division II programs, and one true freshman — joining a group that returns just two players from last season. Sophomore Zavier Fitch returns after appearing in all 30 games with 11 starts, averaging 4.4 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20.8 minutes per contest.

New Faces on the Sideline

Wagner's staff features three new additions ahead of the 2025-26 season:
  • Chad Gayle, Assistant Coach — joins the Seahawks after two seasons as a graduate assistant at Seton Hall.

     
  • Declan McQueeney, Director of Player Development — arrives following three years at St. Bonaventure.

     
  • Lucas Cotronakis, Director of Basketball Operations — joins after four seasons as a student manager at Seton Hall.

     

Scouting the Rams

VCU will also begin its season Monday following exhibition contests against Villanova and Fairfield.

The Rams captured the 2025 Atlantic 10 Tournament title and were picked first in this year's A-10 Preseason Poll, with five players earning preseason all-conference honors. VCU advanced to the 2025 NCAA Tournament before falling to No. 6 BYU in the opening round.

Head coach Phil Martelli Jr. begins his first season with the Rams after two years at Bryant, where he led the Bulldogs to the 2025 America East championship.

The Rams lost all five starters and their top six scorers from a season ago but retooled the roster with nine newcomers — seven transfers and two freshmen.

Up Next

Following Monday's contest, Wagner continues its season-opening road swing at Seton Hall on Friday, Nov. 7, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.
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Players Mentioned

Zavier Fitch

#11 Zavier Fitch

F
6' 7"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Zavier Fitch

#11 Zavier Fitch

6' 7"
Freshman
F

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