Jul 14-Jul 31, 2:00 PM UTC

FloSports Channel

Oct 20, TBD

Lee vs Texas A&M Kingsville

Oct 24, 4:00 PM UTC

MVNU vs Otterbein

Oct 26, 11:00 PM UTC

Penn St vs Drexel (Exhibition)

Oct 28, 11:00 PM UTC

Findlay vs Otterbein

Oct 30, 12:00 AM UTC

Pasadena City vs Fullerton

Oct 30, 12:00 AM UTC

Long Beach City vs Santa Ana

Oct 30, 12:00 AM UTC

Glendale vs Santiago Canyon

Oct 30, 4:00 PM UTC

Huntingdon vs Montevallo

Oct 30, 5:00 PM UTC

MSU Denver vs Texas Woman's

Oct 30, 7:15 PM UTC

New Mexico Highlands vs Angelo

Oct 30, 9:30 PM UTC

Southern Arkansas vs West Texas A&M

Oct 30, 10:00 PM UTC

Tiffin University vs Otterbein

Oct 30, 11:45 PM UTC

Northeastern vs Tampa

Oct 31, 5:00 PM UTC

Angelo vs MSU Denver

Little East Conference Men's Basketball

5 Things To Know About Little East Men's Basketball In 2026-27

5 Things To Know About Little East Men's Basketball In 2026-27

Western Connecticut State is the defending Little East champion. Here are five things to know about the conference's men's basketball race in 2026-27.

Oct 19, 2026 by Allen Catour
null
Replay: Keene State vs UMass-Boston | Feb 27 @ 7 PM2:11:48

The Little East Conference men's basketball race is wide open heading into the 2026-27 season. 

Western Connecticut State Men's Basketball claimed the conference tournament championship last season, snapping Keene State's impressive four-year reign, while UMass Boston emerged as a major title contender.

With nine programs competing for the conference crown, the new season brings another opportunity for teams to make a postseason push and establish themselves among the region's top Division III programs.

Here are five things to know about Little East men's basketball heading into the 2026-27 season.

1. The Little East Has Nine Men's Basketball Programs

The Little East Conference features nine men's basketball teams for the 2026-27 season: Eastern Connecticut State, Keene State, Plymouth State, Rhode Island College, Southern Maine, UMass Boston, UMass Dartmouth, VTSU Castleton and Western Connecticut State.

Spanning New England, these programs will battle throughout the winter for position in the regular-season standings and a spot in the conference tournament.

With an automatic NCAA Tournament bid on the line, every conference matchup will have an impact on the postseason picture.

2. Western Connecticut State Is The Defending Tournament Champion

Western Connecticut State enters the season looking to build on its championship run in 2025-26.

The Wolves defeated Keene State 84-68 in the Little East championship game, earning their sixth conference tournament title and first since 2020. The victory also secured the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship.

Tayejon Lynch led the Wolves with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the championship game, earning tournament Most Outstanding Player honors to close out his senior year.

Western Connecticut State now faces the challenge of defending its title and replacing Lynch's production as the rest of the conference looks to knock the Wolves off the top.

3. Keene State Will Look To Reclaim The Crown

Keene State had dominated the Little East Tournament in recent years, winning four consecutive championships before falling to Western Connecticut State in the 2026 final.

The Owls reached the championship game for the fifth consecutive season but could not extend their title streak.

Jordan Cooper poured in 33 points in the championship game after a breakout junior season that earned him First Team All-Little East honors. Cooper is back for his senior season in 2026-27, giving Keene State an experienced scorer as the Owls try to return to the top of the conference.

After four straight titles and five consecutive championship-game appearances, Keene State will enter 2026-27 trying to start another run at the top of the Little East.

4. UMass Boston Has Production To Replace

UMass Boston took a major step forward last season, finishing second in the Little East standings before falling to Keene State in a tightly contested tournament semifinal.

Cameron Perkins was at the center of that success, earning Little East Player of the Year honors after starting all 26 games and averaging 22.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Perkins was joined on the All-Little East First Team by Raphel Laurent, who led UMass Boston with 22.4 points per game. Together, the two gave the Beacons two of the conference's top three scorers during the 2025-26 season.

With Perkins no longer expected to be part of the program in 2026-27 and Laurent transferring to Division I Central Connecticut State, replacing that scoring punch becomes one of the biggest questions for a UMass Boston team looking to remain near the top of the Little East.

5. The Little East Tournament Can Get Unpredictable

The Little East Tournament offers the conference's teams a direct path to a championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Last season showed that seeding isn't everything. Western Connecticut State entered the tournament as the top seed and won the title, but No. 3 Keene State reached the championship game and fifth-seeded Eastern Connecticut State made it to the semifinals.

That puts even more importance on conference play. Teams will spend the winter fighting for favorable seeding, but last season showed that teams outside the top two can make a run once the tournament begins.

Western Connecticut State has the trophy. Keene State wants it back. UMass Boston has some serious offense to replace. Now the Little East gets another season to sort it out.

Archived Footage On FloCollege

Video footage from all games will be archived and stored in a video library for FloCollege subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

How To Watch College Basketball

Stream college basketball games on FloHoops and the FloSports app.

Don’t miss the latest college basketball action by bookmarking the FloCollege schedule page for the latest games.

Join The College Basketball Conversation