DUDLEY, Mass. (10/21/2026) - Coming off a 15-win campaign that included a postseason victory and another appearance in the Conference of New England (CNE) Tournament, the Nichols College men's basketball team enters the 2026-27 season looking to take another step forward under third-year head coach Tyler Hundley.

The Bison return a core of experienced contributors in senior guard Ethan Minarik, senior forward Luke Chapman, and junior forward Cassidy Bonsu, while welcoming seven newcomers to The Hill. Among the incoming group are three transfers, including the return of senior forward Simon Percy, who rejoins the program after earning All-CNE Second Team honors during the 2024-25 season.

Nichols finished the 2025-26 campaign with a 15-12 overall record and a 9-8 mark in conference play, earning the program's 14th consecutive CNE Tournament appearance. The Bison also secured their first postseason victory since the 2022-23 season with a 104-91 win over Roger Williams in the tournament's first round.

Under Hundley's leadership, Nichols continued to establish itself as an offensive threat, averaging 82.4 points per game while shooting 46.4 percent from the field. The Bison ranked second in the conference in both three-point shooting percentage (35.5 percent) and free-throw percentage (77.0 percent). Entering his third season at the helm, Hundley will look to maintain that offensive production while integrating a new group of players and building on the team's postseason momentum.

Minarik headlines the returning backcourt after a productive junior campaign. The Webster, Massachusetts, native appeared in all 27 games last season, making 21 starts, and averaged 9.3 points per game. He led the Bison with 52 three-pointers while shooting 48.1 percent from beyond the arc, providing a consistent perimeter scoring threat.

Chapman returns for his senior season as an experienced presence in the frontcourt, while Bonsu adds another returning option at forward as the Bison look to establish themselves on both ends of the floor. Percy's return also gives Nichols a proven contributor with experience in the program. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged 14.8 points per game, led the team with 171 rebounds, and shot 60.8 percent from the field. He also connected on 43.9 percent of his three-point attempts and earned All-CNE Second Team recognition.

Nichols opens its 2026-27 campaign at home against Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Saturday, November 7, at 1:00 PM. The early schedule also features a home matchup with Curry College and a trip to the Williams Purple & Gold Tournament, providing the Bison with several opportunities to test themselves before conference play takes center stage.