ORANGE, Calif. — Coming off an appearance in the SCIAC Championship game, with six new additions to their young roster, the Chapman University Men's Basketball team tips of the 2026-27 season in Abilene, Texas against Trinity University Friday afternoon. The Panthers graduated program record holders and All-SCIAC selections Cruz Billings and Jake Heberle in 2026 alongside Jackson Bernardo and Luke Farrington. The Panthers added guards Jackson Leach, Tysen Burton, Ren Marchetti and Nick Sanford. They also bring in forwards Jake Sprangers and Taylor Standfield. 

Upperclassmen Taking the Reigns

Chapman returns one lone senior starter in forward Scott Schulz alongside junior Joe Keegan and TJ Tittelfitz. Schulz has always been known for his rebounding and hustle plays down low. They local product out of Placentia averaged just under five rebounds and five points a game a season ago. Schulz had back-to-back games in January scoring in double figures during SCIAC play and started all 27 games a season ago. Joe Keegan stormed out of the gates winning the Chapman Athletics Sophomore Male Athlete of the Year award. The forward was also named SCIAC Athlete of the Week once a year ago. Keegan had 20 points, including three made three-pointers in Chapman's lone exhibition game against Division I University of California Irvine (UCI) out of the the Big West. In that game, Keegan also earned a block and caused an offensive foul on the Anteaters' 7-foot-9-inch center Olivier Rioux. Tittelfitz returns after recording nine points in just 14 minutes of action in the exhibition match. A season ago, he came off the bench averaging 11 minutes per game and 2.7 rebounds. 

Changing of the Guards

Junior transfer Leech along with returners Daniel Cojocaru and Dylan Mansour will look to fill the void in the backcourt. Leech was first-team all Region twice while playing at Portland Community College. Cojocaru returns after averaging 14 minutes per game his sophomore season and coming off the bench in 21 total games. The junior showed flashes in Chapman's exhibition match against UCI recording nine points, four rebounds and seven assists against the Division I program. Chapman ranked first in the SCIAC in three-point percentage a season ago, shooting 36.7 percent from behind-the-arc. Mansour comes into his junior season after appearing in 21 games a year ago. He shot just under 40 percent from the field and 33 percent from behind-the-arc in 2025-26. The three guards will look take over the backcourt this season. 

Opening Games

Chapman travels to Abilene this weekend for back-to-back games against Trinity University and Hardin-Simmons. Trinity is ranked No.12 coming into the season according to D3Hoops.com. Then, Chapman will play Hardin-Simmons on their home court on Saturday, Nov. 7. The Panthers will open play at home against Puget Sound on Friday, Nov. 13 at 6 PM at the Hutton Sports Center.