San Antonio, TEXAS – No. 12 Trinity University men's basketball team opens its 2026-27 regular season this Friday, Nov. 6, tipping off the new campaign at a neutral site tournament hosted by Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas.
The Tigers enter their second season under Head Coach
Marwan Elrakabawy coming off a standout 22-7 campaign (12-2 SAA). Last season, Trinity reached the SAA Championship final and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round following a 71-63 victory over Whitworth.
Unlike last year's squad that featured seven newcomers, the 2026-27 Tigers return a veteran core led by top scorer
Jackson Lawson (Southlake, Texas / Carroll) (13.3 ppg). NABC All-District forward
Will Bronson (Dallas, Texas / Jesuit) (12.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg), and veteran guard
Dean Balo (Dallas, Texas / JJ Pearce) (11.9 ppg, 86 ast).
D3hoops.com Preseason Poll - Tigers at 12
In the first poll of the season by D3hoops.com, the Tigers are ranked 12th nationally. Mary Washington sits on top of the standings, with Christopher Newport behind them. Hood, Emory, and Gustavus Adolphus round out the top five. St. Thomas is ranked 17th while Mary Hardin-Baylor is receiving votes.
Preview - Opening Weekend
Trinity begins the season Friday, Nov. 6, at 4:00 PM against Chapman University on the campus of Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. The Tigers return to action the following afternoon, Saturday, Nov. 7, for another 4:00 PM tip-off against California Lutheran University.
Both nonconference matchups against West Region opponents will offer an immediate test for a Trinity squad looking to maintain its high tempo identity. Last season, the Tigers ranked among the region's top offensive units, averaging 82.1 points per game while outshooting opponents 48.5% to 40.5% from the floor and controlling the glass with 39.2 rebounds per game. These opening contests will measure Trinity's deep returning core before the team heads to Illinois the following week.
On the Chapman Panthers: The Panthers finished their 2025-26 season with an 18-9 (11-5 SCIAC) record. Despite making the SCIAC final, they were defeated by the nationally-ranked University of Redlands 93-64 and did not receive a bid to the NCAA Playoffs. The Panthers have lost their two top scorers from last season in guards Jake Heberle (18.2 PPG) and Cruz Billings (14.7 PPG). So, Chapman will need to rely on Junior guard Joe Keegan to pick up those points this season. This will be the first ever matchup between Trinity and Chapman.
On the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen: Cal Lutheran posted a 13-13 (8-8 SCIAC) record last season. During the middle of last season, Cal Lu dropped five games in a row during conference play. However, they did pick up a big win against nationally-ranked Redlands, 82-70. Nevertheless, Cal Lu was dropped in the first round of the SCIAC Tournament. The Kingsmen will return four of their top five scorers from last season, so they could be a squad looking to make a big splash this season. This will also be the first matchup between Cal Lutheran and Trinity.
Looking Ahead
Following opening weekend, the Tigers head to Bloomington, Illinois, on Nov. 14-15 to face Benedictine University (IL) and Washington University in St. Louis. Trinity will host its home opener at Calgaard Gymnasium on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 1:00 PM against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, followed by a Sunday clash with University of St. Thomas (TX).
