RIVERSIDE, Calif. – California Baptist University men’s basketball begins the 2026-27 season on Tuesday, November 3, with a 7:00 p.m. tipoff against the University of North Florida Ospreys at the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center.
New head coach Kyle Getter, in his first season leading the Lancers, inherits a team with five returning players from last season’s 25-win squad that advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The returning core includes guards Odartey Blankson, Jalen Dollar, Jordan Muller, and Justas Stonkus, along with forward Rene D’Amelio. Getter’s roster also features ten newcomers for this campaign.
Getter emphasizes a defensive approach inspired by his time coaching under Tony Bennett at the University of Virginia, where his teams led the nation in fewest points allowed for multiple seasons. “My hope is that we will be really hard to play against on the defensive end,” Getter said. He described his offensive strategy as fast-paced with an emphasis on shooting threes, blending discipline with freedom.
The Lancers enter the season with momentum, coming off an undefeated 15-0 home record last year and holding a 19-game home winning streak dating back to the 2024-25 season. This is the seventh-longest active home winning streak in Division I men’s basketball.
Opposing the Lancers are the North Florida Ospreys, who are starting the second season under head coach Bobby Kennen. North Florida concluded last season with a 7-25 record but boasts one of the nation’s best three-point shooting teams. Guard Kent Jackson averaged 14.8 points per game while making 106 three-pointers. The Ospreys ranked eighth nationally in made threes per game and hold the longest active Division I streak of 129 consecutive games with five or more made three-pointers.
Limited tickets for the game are available, and the matchup will be streamed live on ESPN+.
CSB Take
The opening game of Kyle Getter’s inaugural season as head coach represents a pivotal moment for the California Baptist Lancers men’s basketball program. With a strong returning foundation and a strategic shift toward disciplined defense paired with a high-volume three-point offense, the Lancers aim to capitalize on their established home-court success. Facing North Florida’s elite three-point shooting early will challenge the team’s defensive schemes and offer a revealing gauge of their readiness for the NCAA Division I season ahead.
Source: Original report
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