HAMILTON –

Colgate is coming off its fourth consecutive 20-win season after claiming the Patriot League regular season and tournament titles for the fifth time since 2018-19. The Raiders finished 25-10 overall and 16-2 in conference, one win shy of program records in both categories. 

"Every year we want to maximize who this team can be by the end of the season," said 14th year head coach Matt Langel, who is coming off his fifth Patriot League Coach of the Year award. "Learning and growing is always important. There will be highs and lows but the hope is to be in position to compete for a championship at the end of the season."

For the first time since 2018 Colgate does not return an All-League selection after losing Player of the Year Braeden Smith, first team honoree Keegan Records, and second teamer Ryan Moffatt. Despite losing its top four scorers from last season, Colgate was selected as the preseason favorite receiving 14 of a possible 18 first-place votes. 

"It's going to be a different process than we've had in years past," said fifth-year center Jeff Woodward. "We've had multiple seniors and fifth-years over the past few years. I've enjoyed having more of a mentor role this year, sharing the knowledge that I've been able to learn and passing down the tradition of excellence that has been passed down to me." 

Back Court
Junior guard Brady Cummins is Colgate's leading returning scorer. He averaged just over seven points per game and shot 48 percent from the field. He made 30 appearances and started 18 games while averaging 7.3 points and shooting 48 percent from the field. Cummins scored a career-high 19 points on 8-of-9 from the field in the Patriot League championship game. 

Jalen Cox and Nicolas Louis-Jacques combined to start every game last season. Cox appeared in every game with a limited role behind Colgate's veteran back court, but a glimpse of his impact was evident when he scored 15 points, 14 in the second half, in Colgate's comeback victory over Bucknell in last year's Patriot League semifinals. 

Louis-Jacques is one of two seniors on this year's roster. An experienced guard, Louis-Jacques started the first 20 games of the 2023-24 season before an injury forced him to miss time. He ended the season averaging 6.6 points per game. 

His classmate, Chandler Baker, will play a key role as well this season after averaging 11 minutes and 5.2 points in 2023-24. He led the Patriot League with a 44.1 three-point percentage. Baker in his Colgate career has knocked down treys at a 43.4 percent clip, which would land him inside the Patriot League's top five all-time three-point shooters. 

Kyle Carlesimo provides veteran experience in the back court. He played an important role as a spark plug at times last season, making an impact off the bench in 18 games played after transferring from Eastern Illinois. Carlesimo, along with Julian Scott, join first-year guards Stevie Clark, Blake Forrest, and Josh Ahayere looking to make an impact in 2024-25. 

Front Court
Woodward, a fifth-year senior who played four seasons alongside Records, headlines Colgate's returning big men. He appeared in every game last year with 18 starts averaging 7.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 19.3 minutes per game. The veteran fifth-year has appeared in 120 games – including four Patriot League championships and NCAA tournament games – during his career. 

Parker Jones, another sophomore forward, averaged 4.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 32 games played as a first-year. He emerged as an offensive and defensive threat throughout the season, finishing third on the team in blocked shots (19). He scored five points and registered two steals in Colgate's NCAA tournament game against third-seeded Baylor. 

Sam Wright and Cooper Wright return for their sophomore seasons after limited time in the front court last season. They join first-year and seven-footer Cameron Brennan vying for important minutes in 2024-25. 

"As guys leave there are new opportunities," Langel said. "That's one of the most exciting aspects of college athletics. Younger guys like Jalen Cox and Parker Jones got some opportunities last year but they're going to have bigger roles if we're going to be the team that we can be. Everyone's role changes and leadership comes in many ways, shapes, and forms."

Schedule Outlook
Colgate will play 13 non-conference games, including four at Cotterell Court with the season and home opener set for Tuesday, Nov. 5, against SUNY Canton. The Raiders go on the road for seven straight games before returning home to host Cornell on Dec. 4. Colgate closes the non-league slate with back-to-back home games against Vermont (Dec. 15) and Iona (Dec. 22).

Road trips include an annual matchup at Syracuse (Nov. 12) along with other Quad 1 opponents NC State (Nov. 18) and Kentucky (Dec. 11). The Raiders will be competing in the Live Oak Bank Holiday Classic MTE hosted by UNC Wilmington during Thanksgiving Break, with other non-league tests at Drexel, Harvard, and Northeastern. "There should be an expectation to continue what we've been able to do over the past four years," Woodward said. "It should be a fun season with a lot of great memories made. We're always looking for the ultimate goal to win another championship but we know that there's plenty of steps and a long process to get to that point."