OFFICIAL ODAC ANNOUNCEMENT

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Hampden-Sydney College has been picked fourth in the 2025-26 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Men's Basketball Preseason Poll. The Tigers earned 96 points in voting among the 12 conference schools, finishing 2024-25 with a final overall record of 23-6 for their third-straight season with 20-plus wins, also the 18th 20-win season in program history–the first time since 1996-99 that H-SC has accomplished three consecutive 20-win campaigns. The Garnet & Grey also made their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, and 17th overall since 1989, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the eighth time.
 
"Our focus every season is the same, to be the standard and maximize what this team can become," said seventh-year head coach Caleb Kimbrough. "The ODAC is loaded with great coaches and talented programs, which is what makes it so competitive. We've got a group we believe in, and we're excited to line up against anyone."
 
Randolph-Macon College was picked first with 121 points and 11 first-place votes, while Virginia Wesleyan University was chosen second with 104 points, followed by Roanoke College in third with 103 points and the other first-place vote, H-SC (fourth, 96) and the University of Lynchburg with 81 points to round-out the Top Five. The remainder of the poll includes Shenandoah University (64), Guilford (NC) College (58) and Washington and Lee University (58), Averett University (34), Bridgewater College (33), Randolph College (26) and Eastern Mennonite University (14).
 
H-SC returns 15 lettermen among 20 team members, including two returning starters in senior forward Shane Fernald (Charlotte, NC) and sophomore guard Travis Stickney (Mount Pleasant, SC). The 6-8, 270-pound Fernald started 25 of 28 games and averaged 13.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists while earning First Team All-ODAC honors last season. He shot 57% (147-257) from the field, including 26% (5-19) on three-point field goals, and 68% (79-16) at the free throw line with career-highs of 23 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. Stickney (6-2) started all 29 games and averaged 7.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He shot 51% (82-162) from the field, including 29% (13-45) on three-pointers, and 75% (45-60) at the line with career-highs of 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
 
Other top returners include senior guard Colin Radcliffe (Richlands, NC) and sophomore guard Tugg Bizzelle (Baltimore, MD). Radcliffe (6-5) started five of 29 games and averaged 8.8 points with 50 three-pointers. He shot 43% (86-202) from the field, including 40% (50-124) on three-pointers, and 81% (34-62) at the line with career-highs of 27 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Bizzelle (6-2) started three of 29 games and averaged 3.1 points and 1.4 assists. He shot 35% (33-95) from the field, including 38% (9-24) on three-pointers, and 44% (15-34) at the line with career-highs of 10 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. Sophomore guards Santana Lynch (Dallas, TX) (6-5) and Asa Williams (Atlanta, GA) (6-3) also return after each missed nearly all of last season due to injury.
 
H-SC, ranked No. 17 nationally in the D3hoops.com Preseason Top 25, begins the campaign on the road this weekend, November 7-8, with its participation in the non-conference TowneBank Tipoff Tournament hosted by No. 14 Virginia Wesleyan in Virginia Beach. The Tigers will play No. 7 UW-La Crosse to open the season on Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m., then will play either (RV)Keene State or the host Marlins on Saturday, Nov. 8, at either 2 p.m. or 4 p.m.