As the Fall season begins, it means one thing around the nation and here at Ursinus college: it’s basketball season. Another season of great basketball is to be expected from the Ursinus Men’s team, their coaching staff and Head Coach Kevin Small as he enters year 27 leading the program. But what might the season look like? What will be different about this year’s team and what will be similar to last season? These are some of the questions that will be looked at in this preview as the 2026-27 season draws near. First, here’s a quick recap of last season.
Last season was one most would classify as successful for this Bears team, which finished with an 18-9 record and a 10-3 record in Centennial conference play. This came with quite successful play on both sides of the court. The team led the conference in scoring and field goal percentage on the offensive side, and was third in opponent field goal percentage allowed and first in blocked shots on the defensive side. These results came from great team basketball no doubt, but we would be remiss to not mention Mohamed Toure, who won Centennial conference player of the year after a great season.
This team will differ, but how? Well to start, they will lose the previously mentioned conference player of the year Mohamed Toure, who has graduated and is pursuing a professional career in Portugal. He followed a long line of great scorers under Coach Small, which seems to be part of why this doesn’t worry the coach too much. When asked about it, Coach said, “Although Mo was a uniquely talented player, in some ways he was following in the footsteps of great scorers who preceded him.” The team also lost another major contributor to graduation in Nick Nocito who led the conference in assists. While these losses will hurt, many contributors are returning, and there are expectations for a step forward in many ways as well. When asked about what aspect coach Small believed the team may make a leap in, he said “I think we’ll take a sizable leap as a team defense.” These are some of the ways this team is projected to change and grow, but there are some constants that remain.
These constants are both because of returning players and because of the consistent messaging from Coach Small. First there are some returning players who will continue to help the Bears succeed, including but not limited to Jamie Murphy coming into his junior season, coming off of being top five in the conference in scoring and leading in field goal percentage. Senior sharpshooter Luke Neiman was top three in the conference in three point percentage and first in three pointers made per game, and senior and paint presence Matthew Field was top ten in the conference in blocks. While having all this returning production is good for the season outlook, some would argue that Coach Small and his principles with the team are the clearest constant. This manifests in something he calls the Ursinus way, and tries continuously to create and follow this way with his fellow coaches and the team. “We enjoy working REALLY hard. And our group is filled with the highest character guys who genuinely care more about the team than themselves,” said Coach Small when asked about what excited him and the coaching staff about this group.
The 26-27 Bears men basketball team will begin their season on November 6th at 5:30 vs. Neumann University in the Bear Bash tip-off tournament. There is no doubt Coach Small and the Bears have set themselves up for another successful season, and there is a high ceiling on this team. May their season be filled with success, go Bears!
