Under head coach Levell Sanders, the Bearcats have established themselves as one of the steadiest men's basketball programs in the America East – joining perennial league power Vermont as the only teams to win 7+ conference games in each of the last four seasons. Binghamton has avoided the big drop-off season that has plagued other America East teams. But what the Bearcats are still hunting is that breakthrough top-4 finish that gives the team a chance at a conference championship and first NCAA berth since 2009. 

America East history shows that home playoff teams win at an 83 percent clip, with the top two seeds going on to win 40 of the 44 tournament titles. So a high regular-season finish is paramount to any team's postseason dreams. Last year Binghamton beat every team in the league except champion Bryant and was just one win away from hosting a playoff game. 

"Getting a home playoff game is super important," Sanders says. "We want to be able to play in that atmosphere in the Events Center. For us this year it will be about consistent execution on both sides of the basketball."  

Sanders believes the depth, size and cumulative talent his 2025-26 team possesses, particularly at key positions, might be enough to push the Bearcats toward the top of the standings. 

In the league's 16-game slate, the season scoring margin for most teams hovered around one possession, putting a premium on taking care of the basketball. Despite being among the league leaders in shooting (4th) and rebounding (2nd) last season, the Bearcats were last in turnovers (13.4/game) and the resulting disparity in total possessions and shots ultimately kept Binghamton from rising in the ranks. The Bearcats attempted the fewest shots in the league and gave opponents 140+ more possessions, a by-product of the turnovers. In essence, they lost games on volume, not efficiency.

"Last year we couldn't hold onto the basketball," Sanders says. "It didn't give us the opportunity to set up our defense and led to too many easy baskets for our opponents. We've talked a lot about valuing our possessions."

Newcomer Quigley will stabilize point guard position
The primary conduit for lowering the turnovers will be junior point guard Jeremiah Quigley, who transferred to Binghamton after stints at Iona and George Mason. His freshman season in the talent equivalent MAAC with the Gaels caught the eyes of Sanders and his staff. Quigley averaged 10.8 points (third on team), 3.3 assists (second) and made the MAAC All-Rookie Team.    

"Jeremiah is super quick and can deliver the ball," Sanders says. "He pushes the pace, can find the open man and make shots. And he can handle the pressure without turning it over. I believe he can be one of the better point guards in the conference."

The addition of Quigley allows polished veteran Wes Peterson, Jr. to move to his more natural position on the wing. Due to injuries and a void at the point last season, Peterson had to spend time handling the ball. In conference play, he showed his value by averaging 10.3 points on 52 percent shooting and finished strong by scoring in double figures in 8-of-9 games down the stretch. Sanders believes the position move will allow Peterson to flourish in his final collegiate season.

"We are excited to have Wes on the wing," he says. "He is very versatile and does so many things for us. I think he is poised for a big year."

Philly native Lilley brings polished game, high expectations
Another player Sanders is high on is 6-foot-9 senior center Demetrius Lilley, who comes to Binghamton from Atlantic-10 member La Salle after beginning his collegiate career at Big Ten member Penn State. Lilley is a relentless rebounder, especially on the offensive glass, and is expected to compile numbers Bearcat fans were familiar seeing from departed forward Gavin Walsh. In under 20 minutes a game for La Salle last winter, Lilley averaged 7.7 points and 5.8 rebounds. Seeing those figures prorated to a full game in a Bearcats' uniform influenced America East coaches to vote Lilley to their Preseason All-Conference Team. 

"Demetrius has a nose for the basketball and can play inside and out," Sanders says. "He's a worker and a leader and we will feature him. I wouldn't be surprised if he led the country in rebounds."

Wilson is another all-conference caliber addition
Junior guard Bryson Wilson is another newcomer with a high ceiling. The 6-foot-5 Washington, D.C. native played two seasons at University of Buffalo and has impressed Sanders with his physicality and athleticism. Wilson showed his scoring prowess with a pair of 20+ point performances for the Bulls in MAC play and even dropped a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds on Notre Dame. He has an inside track on a starting role. 

"The sky is the limit with Bryson," Sanders says. "He plays a physical brand of basketball and is probably our best perimeter defender. He can run the floor, rebound and cut to the rim. Bryson has so much potential and could be one of the most athletic players in the conference. He has all-conference talent."

Six-foot-eight senior forward Seyerr Senghore is another athletically-gifted transfer who is expected to see quality minutes. Senghore played at Division II Fort Valley State (Ga.) last season and led his team in scoring (13.1 ppg.) and rebounding (8.9 rpg.). A native of the state of Washington, Senghore began his career with two junior college stops.

"Seyerr has an uncanny ability to finish around the basket," Sanders says. "He is very quick and can defend the perimeter and protect the rim. He can make shots and works very hard. He can play the '4' or the '5' for us."

Sanders and his staff extended the recruiting net all the way to Los Angeles to bring in 6-foot-9 junior Zyier Beverly, who has perhaps the biggest upside of any Bearcat. Beverly, who nearly landed at Group of Five member Memphis out of high school, has a raw athleticism that isn't often found in the America East. He spent last season at East Los Angeles junior college and put up double-digit points for a 27-3 program that was among the best in California.  

"Zyier can make some plays on the floor that are in the 'wow' category," Sanders says. "He is super talented and with the right structure and guidance, he could be a very impactful player for us."  

Sophomore forward Stephan Snagg eased into his collegiate career with seven games last winter and is a hard-working and reliable boost off the bench in the post.  

Veteran leader Benigni looks to flash old form in final campaign
After injuries negated his 2024-25 season, graduate guard Jackson Benigni is healthy and offers leadership and a sharpshooter mentality on the floor. Two seasons ago at Stonehill, he averaged 11.3 points in 27 minutes a game and Sanders is eyeing that kind of production in Benigni's final collegiate season.

"Jackson is healthy and I like what I see from him," he says. "He's making shots and communicating and this is what he was a Stonehill when he averaged double-digits. I'm excited about him being out there helping us get better and being a leader."

Junior guard Ryan Richardson, a Florida native who played JUCO ball at Missouri State-West Plains last year, is in the mix for minutes at either guard spot. At 6-foot-5, he can be a playmaker and scorer and also is a physical athlete and defender. 

Preseason injuries, unfortunately, have hit a few Bearcats who were expected to play important roles I 2025-26. Junior guard Evan Ashe, who has logged more games as a Bearcat than anyone on the roster (47), is out with an injury. One of the best athletes and top defenders in the program, Ashe was expected to start and be impactful. Returning point guard Jayden Lemond is also out with an injury. Lemond started nine games last season and showed significant improvement this summer.        
 
Redshirt freshman walk-on Nevin Ibroci is a former 1,000-point scorer at Brewster Academy and will enhance the guard unit.  

Pair of freshmen begin collegiate careers
The Bearcats' two freshman signees – Jayden Kelsey and Jake Blackburn – begin their Bearcat careers. Kelsey is a versatile athlete who can be plug-and-play at several positions. Sanders likes his shooting stroke and high basketball IQ. Blackburn hails from a strong scholastic program in Massachusetts (Worcester Academy) and is expected to provide a boost from 3-point range, though his collegiate start will be delayed with injury.  

Sanders looks to play to strengths, push pace
The 2025-26 Bearcats will look to maximize their strengths, which are size and athleticism. 

"We have good size and can play above the rim," he says. "We have a lineup suited for getting up and down the floor because anyone can rebound and push it up court. That will allow us to play faster, attack space and create offense from defense."

The Bearcats were slotted fifth by the conference coaches in the Preseason Poll, but a move northward is a realistic goal. A 1-5 start to league play last season hampered the team, despite a closing stretch of winning six of eight. Of the 16 conference games, 11 were decided by eight or fewer points, eight by five or less. So the margin between an America East win and loss remains slight. That detail brings Sanders back to protecting the ball and placing high value on every possession.    

"We have to take care of the little things," Sanders says. "Rebound, don't turn the ball over, make our free throws. If we are playing our best and the other team is too … I always like our chances."