POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Marist University basketball teams will both compete in the America East-Metro Basketball Challenge this upcoming season.
In the first year of the event, each team will play a home game and a road game against an America East opponent in the first week of the season:
Thursday, Nov. 5
- Women's Basketball: Marist at Bryant
- Men's Basketball: UMBC at Marist
Sunday, Nov. 8
- Women's Basketball: NJIT at Marist
- Men's Basketball: Marist at UMass Lowell
In July of 2025 both conferences announced the creation of a basketball challenge, a new early season showcase that is part of a two-year agreement for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons. This will be the first ever basketball challenge between two Northeast-based Division I leagues. Sharing a regional footprint, a mutual broadcast partner in ESPN, a common sponsorship rights holder in Van Wagner, and the same men's basketball officiating coordinator, the Challenge represents a natural and strategic collaboration.
The Marist men's basketball team will be heading into its ninth season under the leadership of head coach
John Dunne in 2026-27, while the women's program is heading into its fourth season with head coach Erin Doughty.
