5 Things To Know About ODAC Men's Basketball

Roanoke defends its ODAC title after stunning No. 1 Randolph-Macon. Here are five things to know about returning stars and the 2026-27 season.

Oct 28, 2026 by Ajay Shah

5 Things To Know About ODAC Men's Basketball

The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) enters the 2026-27 men's basketball season with a new defending champion after Roanoke pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 conference tournament.

Roanoke stunned D3hoops.com No. 1 Randolph-Macon 59-58 in the ODAC championship game, ending a 26-year conference tournament title drought. Now the Maroons must defend their crown against a field that includes perennial contender Randolph-Macon, a talented Hampden-Sydney roster and returning award winners across the conference.

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

UPCOMING

2026 Hampden-Sydney vs Calvin - Men's

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1. Roanoke Ended A 26-Year ODAC Championship Drought

Roanoke enters 2026-27 as the defending ODAC Tournament champion after defeating D3hoops.com No. 1 Randolph-Macon 59-58 in the championship game.

The Maroons trailed 58-52 with just 38 seconds remaining before mounting a dramatic comeback.

After Roanoke cut the deficit to one, Jackson Bell banked in a running jumper with 8.1 seconds left to give the Maroons the lead. Roanoke then forced a difficult final shot and secured the rebound to capture its first ODAC Tournament championship since 2000.

Bell scored 12 points in the championship game and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

The Maroons return Bell, a First Team All-ODAC selection, along with Third Team All-ODAC performer Gavin O'Malley for the 2026-27 season.

Head coach Clay Nunley now has a core with championship experience as Roanoke attempts to defend its title.

2. Randolph-Macon Remains A Major ODAC Contender

Randolph-Macon entered the 2026 ODAC Tournament ranked No. 1 in the D3hoops.com Top 25 and as the conference's top seed.

The Yellow Jackets finished the regular season 23-2 overall and 14-2 in ODAC play before beating Guilford 94-73 in the quarterfinals and Hampden-Sydney 69-41 in the semifinals.

Roanoke's last-minute comeback ended Randolph-Macon's run one victory short of another conference tournament championship, but the Yellow Jackets enter the new season with plenty of recent success behind them.

Head coach Josh Merkel returns for his 12th season after earning the 2025-26 ODAC Coach of the Year award, his eighth overall and third consecutive.

Randolph-Macon has also made seven consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament appearances.

The 2026-27 roster includes Delani Hammonds, Malcolm Hodges, Theo Antinori, Ty Showalter and Joe Bachman.

The Yellow Jackets will get their first shot at the defending champions when they visit Roanoke on Jan. 9 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

3. Hampden-Sydney Returns Proven Talent

Hampden-Sydney enters the new season looking to work its way back to the top of the ODAC.

The Tigers won the 2024 ODAC Tournament championship and finished the 2025-26 regular season 16-9 overall and 10-6 in conference play, earning the No. 4 seed in the ODAC Tournament.

Head coach Caleb Kimbrough returns for his eighth season, while junior guard Travis Stickney is back after earning Second Team All-ODAC honors in 2025-26.

Stickney is joined on the 2026-27 roster by Mason Patrick, William Britt and Alex Cannon.

That returning group gives Hampden-Sydney an experienced foundation as the Tigers try to make another run at the conference championship.

4. Washington And Lee Returns Two ODAC Award Winners

Washington and Lee enters 2026-27 with two of the conference's most accomplished young players back on its roster.

Junior forward Connor Amorosi earned First Team All-ODAC honors last season after being named the ODAC Rookie of the Year in 2024-25.

Sophomore forward Addison Newkirk followed him by winning the 2025-26 ODAC Rookie of the Year award. Newkirk also earned Virginia Sports Information Directors Rookie of the Year recognition following his freshman season.

The Generals were the No. 6 seed in last season's ODAC Tournament before falling to Roanoke in the quarterfinals. With Amorosi and Newkirk returning, Washington and Lee has two proven pieces to build around as it looks to climb the conference standings.

5. The Road To Salem Features An Eight-Team Tournament

The 2027 ODAC Men's Basketball Tournament will feature eight teams competing for the conference championship and the ODAC's automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament.

The tournament begins Feb. 24 with quarterfinal games hosted by the top four seeds. The four winners will advance to the Salem Civic Center in Salem, Virginia, for the semifinals and championship game.

2027 ODAC Men's Basketball Tournament Dates

Quarterfinals: Wednesday, Feb. 24, at the top four seeds
Semifinals: Saturday, Feb. 27, at Salem Civic Center
Championship: Sunday, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m. ET, at Salem Civic Center

For Roanoke, Randolph-Macon, Hampden-Sydney, Washington and Lee and the rest of the conference, the road to the NCAA Tournament will once again run through Salem.

The Old Dominion Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Members

How To Watch ODAC Men's Basketball In 2026-27

ODAC men's basketball games are available to stream on FloCollege and the FloSports app.

Fans can find upcoming games and streaming information on the FloHoops schedule.

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