ONEONTA, N.Y. - After a tough fall preseason, the SUNY Oneonta men's basketball team opens their regular season on Nov. 8 at Hartwick College. The Red Dragons feature a talented mixture of veterans and inspired young new faces. 

"We have a great group of young men in the program, and they are a joy to coach every day. We ask a lot of our guys, and they continue to push each other daily," said head coach Cameron Conover. "I am excited about their opportunity and eager to watch them compete." 

Following Hartwick, the Red Dragons host SUNY Cobleskill, Pratt, and Drew University in the first annual Michael A. Freilich Tip-Off Tournament, in loving memory of former assistant coach Michael Freilich. 

"Mike loved Oneonta, and he was instrumental in starting this tournament three years ago, so it is only fitting that his name will forever be associated with the tip-off," said Conover.

Oneonta will see three preseason-ranked teams this season in No. 5 Oswego, No. 6 Williams, and No. 24 Wheaton (Ill.) The Red Dragons then look forward to the competitive SUNYAC play and possibly their most demanding non-conference schedule in recent years. 

"Our schedule is challenging as always, and we like it that way as it will help prepare us for the super competitive SUNYAC," continued Conover. "I believe our league will be as good as it's been in a long time, and anybody can beat you on any given night."

Recent History

Last season saw the Red Dragons finish with an 18-9 overall record and a 13-5 mark in the SUNYAC. Oneonta was the second seed in the conference and advanced to the SUNYAC Championship game.

The conference recognized multiple Red Dragons for their efforts on the court. Four players were named all-conference, with Michael Ortale Jr. (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central) and Dylan Trombley named to the second team and Daniel Derice (Tampa, FL/Wesley Chapel) and Frankie Williams (Bronx, NY/Fannie Lou) selected to the third team. In addition, Trombley earned SUNYAC All-Tournament team honors. 

Returners

Oneonta returns nine players from last year in Joseph Bull (Bronx, NY/Mount St. Michael Academy), Derice, Ortale Jr., Kenneth Mathurin (Dix Hills, NY/Half Hollow Hills East), Williams, Caleb Brown (Brooklyn, NY/Uncommon Charter), Seidina Doukoure (Bronx, NY/The MacDuffie School), Dylan Craft (Hyde Park, NY/Franklin D. Roosevelt), and Ryan Teaney (Schenectady, NY/Guilderland).

 

New Faces

Oneonta welcomes seven new players to the program who bring a blend of athleticism, high energy, and shot-making abilities. They include Elijah Castillo (Bronx, NY/St. Raymonds), Tyler Harts (Queens, NY/Sewanaka), Delano Knox (Poughkeepsie, NY/Arlington), Ahmed Toure (Bronx, NY/All Hallows), Graham Wooden (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta), Khallyn La Fond (Brooklyn, NY/Knox School), and Clayton Erickson (New Lebanon, NY/The Frederick Gunn School). 

A Fresh Look

One highlight of the 2022-23 season is the resurfaced Dewar Arena basketball court. The already impressive arena is now renovated and will continue to be one of Division III basketball's most desirable destinations.

Staff

Head men's basketball coach Cameron Conover starts his seventh season at the helm of the Red Dragons. Conover takes immense pride in producing winners on the court and in life. Though he's coached a high number of all-conference players in his time at Oneonta, it means more to him to see players do well academically and post-graduation.  

For the 2022-23 Season, Conover brings a new mind. Assistant coach Chad Boyles joins the staff from the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.  

Boyles brings creativity to the staff on and off the court and has long enjoyed coaching different levels of organized basketball before entering the college ranks. 

"Coach Boyles is a great addition to our staff and will certainly have a positive impact on our program," stated Conover. "He really enjoys coaching at Oneonta, and our players love him."