Oswego State men’s basketball team advances to NCAA Tournament following SUNYAC Championship win

OSWEGO, N.Y. – The Oswego State men’s basketball team has returned to the Division III NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. After a three-year-gap since their last bid, Oswego (25-2) enters the tournament with one of the most dominant teams in program history. The team capped off its season last week with two 20+ point victories against SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Oneonta enroute to a SUNYAC Championship title.

The Lakers feature four All-Conference players, including Jeremiah Sparks, Julien Crittendon, Brendon Mulson, and Devin Green, who played pivotal roles for the team during the season. Oswego’s coaching staff, led by head coach Jason Leone, was also named the SUNYAC Coaching Staff of the Year.

Heading into a first-round matchup against an unfamiliar opponent in Hood College, Coach Leone says his team has to play their best game of the season on Friday.

“This is a team that’s used to winning games. They’re used to winning games away from their home building as are we,” he said. “So, it’s going to be a matchup of contrasting styles and we’ve got to understand that going in and do the best we can. And we will. The guys will be excited to play.”

The Lakers will travel five hours south to Swarthmore, Pennsylvania to participate in the opening series, in hopes of capturing their first NCAA Championship in team history. Tip-off is set for 3:05 p.m. on Friday with the winner taking on either Swarthmore College or Keene State the following day.