UTICA, NY - The quest for the elusive three-peat begins now for the Utica Utica University men's basketball team. The Pioneers secured the sixth seed in the 2026 Empire 8 Conference Men's Basketball Tournament, and are set to travel to take on the third seed SUNY Geneseo Knights. Tip off on Saturday, February 21 is set for 4pm from Geneseo, NY. 
 
Ticketing Information: For those who plan to attend, tickets will be $10 for adults, $2 for students and seniors with ID, and children under 12 are free. Admission is to be paid at the door in CASH ONLY. 
 
Follow Along: For those unable to attend, live video can be found here, and live stats can be found here. 
 
How We Got Here: After Tuesday's 69-63 loss to SUNY Poly, and SUNY Brockport's 65-64 win over SUNY Geneseo, Utica secured the sixth seed in the conference tournament. The Pioneers completed the regular season with a 17-8 overall record, and a 10-6 mark in conference play. This marks the seventh consecutive season that the Pioneers have appeared in postseason play, and the 14th time since the inception of the Empire 8 Men's Basketball Tournament in the 2003-04 season that Utica has found itself in contention for a conference title. The Pioneer offense has been consistently producing this season, averaging a conference fourth best 75.8 points per game, while holding opponents to 72.4 points per game, posting a +3.5 scoring margin on the season. From the floor, Utica has combined for a .452 field goal percentage, a mark good enough for fourth in the conference, while holding opponents to a .422 field goal percentage throughout the season. On the glass, the Pioneers have combined for an average of 37.7 rebounds per game, and a defensive rebound average of 27.6 per game, the third best mark in the conference. Utica has been outrebounded by opponents by less than half of a rebound this season, falling into the middle of the pack in the conference with a -0.1 rebounding margin. 
 
A Look at the Field: The final seeding and schedule for the tournament is as follows:
 
Seeding: 
No. 1 – Russell Sage (13-3 E8, 21-4 Overall)
No. 2 – Nazareth (13-3 E8, 18-7 Overall)
No. 3 – SUNY Geneseo (11-5 E8, 15-10 Overall)
No. 4 – SUNY Poly (11-5, E8, 18-7 Overall)
No. 5 – SUNY Brockport (10-6 E8, 14-11 Overall)
No. 6 – Utica (10-6 E8, 17-8 Overall)
No. 7 – Keuka (9-7 E8, 12-13 Overall
No. 8 – St. John Fisher (8-8 E8, 12-13 Overall)
 
Schedule:
Saturday, February 21 – First Round (at Higher Seed)
No. 8 St. John Fisher at No. 1 Russell Sage – 2 p.m.
No. 7 Keuka at No. 2 Nazareth – 4 p.m.
No. 6 Utica at No. 3 SUNY Geneseo – 4 p.m.
No. 5 SUNY Brockport at No. 4 SUNY Poly – 2 p.m.
 
Wednesday, February 25 – Semifinals (at Higher Seed)
Winner of Russell Sage/St. John Fisher vs. Winner of Poly/Brockport – TBA
Winner of Nazareth/Keuka vs. Winner of Geneseo/Utica – TBA
 
Saturday, February 28 - Championship Final (at Highest Remaining Seed)
Winner of Semifinal No. 1 vs. Winner of Semifinal No. 2 - TBA
 
Scouting Geneseo: SUNY Geneseo enters the matchup at 15–10 overall and 11–5 in Empire 8 play, averaging 75.8 points per game while allowing 73.0, good for a +2.8 scoring margin. In conference games, the Knights are even sharper, posting 75.4 points per game with a +3.4 margin. Offensively, the Knights shoot 47.5 percent from the field overall (47.6 percent in conference play). Their attack is anchored by Josh Garelle, who leads the team at 16.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 55.3 percent from the floor. Alongside him, Robert Pericolosi adds 13.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and ranks among the team leaders in assists. Perimeter efficiency is supplied by Trevor Hofer, one of the most dangerous shooters in the conference. Hofer averages 13.1 points per game and is shooting 51.5 percent from three-point range (51-of-99) overall. In league play, that number jumps to 58.9 percent from deep (33-of-56). Geneseo is strong on the glass, averaging 34.9 rebounds per game with a positive rebounding margin. They also move the ball well, posting 14.2 assists per game, and maintain a positive assist-to-turnover ratio. Defensively, opponents shoot 45.3 percent against them. The Knights are active with their hands (7.6 steals per game) but are not a high-volume shot-blocking team. Notably, opponents averaged 8.8 made threes per game against Geneseo.
 
Knowing the Knights: Utica and SUNY Geneseo have already squared off twice this season, with the Knights earning a pair of wins in contrasting fashion. The first meeting on January 17 in Utica was a tightly contested overtime battle, as Geneseo escaped the Clark Athletic Center with a 77–74 victory. That matchup featured 10 ties and six lead changes, with both teams trading momentum throughout. Liam Teague (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) led the Pioneers with 19 points, while Jordan Cain (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) added 16 and Keyaton Parks (Albany, NY/Green Tech High Charter) controlled the glass with 12 rebounds. Geneseo ultimately made the difference at the free throw line, converting 15-of-17 attempts, including critical makes in overtime to seal the result. The rematch on February 13 in Geneseo told a different story, as the Knights pulled away in the second half for a 75–57 win. Utica trailed by just five at halftime, but Geneseo shot over 50 percent in the second half and used efficient interior scoring and perimeter accuracy to create separation. Josh Garelle (23 points, 13 rebounds) and Trevor Hofer (23 points, 4-of-6 from three) combined for 46 points, while the Knights finished 9-of-18 from beyond the arc. The Pioneers struggled to find consistent rhythm offensively, shooting 33.9 percent overall in the contest. 
 
Up Next: With a win, the Pioneers would advance to the semifinal round of the conference tournament, taking on the winner of Nazareth/Keuka on Wednesday, February 25. More information will be released regarding that matchup as it is available.