The Rockhurst men's basketball team opens the 2026-27 season Monday (Nov. 9) against Park University at 6 p.m. inside Mason-Halpin Field House. The matchup marks the first time since the 2016-17 season that the Hawks will open their season at home, when Rockhurst defeated Nebraska Wesleyan, 101-91.

The Hawks enter the new campaign following a historic 23-7 season that included the program's first-ever Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Regular Season Championship and its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2009. Rockhurst was selected to finish ninth in the 2026-27 GLVC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

A new era begins under first-year head coach Todd Lorensen, who takes over the program after four successful seasons at Graceland University. Lorensen compiled an 89-35 record with the Yellow Jackets, including a 26-7 mark last season that featured the program's first regular-season conference championship and a second consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearance. He was named the 2026 Heart of America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

"With us having a new roster, it's a great opportunity for this team to create their own identity and work to become the best we can be," Lorensen said. "The GLVC has a rich basketball tradition, so getting to compete in one of the best leagues in the country is a terrific opportunity."

Rockhurst will have several opportunities to build chemistry early in the season, with six nonconference home games on the schedule.

"Our non-conference slate includes six home games. Playing inside Mason-Halpin Field House that often should greatly benefit our team who will need to grow throughout the season," Lorensen said.

Following Monday's opener, the Hawks will travel to Hammond, Indiana, to face Davenport and Purdue Northwest in the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge before returning home for matchups against MIAA opponents Washburn and Missouri Southern.

Rockhurst begins GLVC play Nov. 30 at Southwest Baptist before hosting Truman State on Dec. 5. The Hawks will close out the calendar year with home games against Spurgeon, Kansas Christian and Manhattan Christian.

With a largely new roster, Lorensen and his staff will look to establish an identity built around balanced scoring, unselfish offense and defensive pressure.

"I really like the balance of our team," Lorensen said. "I think we will have multiple players who will lead us in scoring on a given night."

"Offensively, we have shown the ability to be very unselfish and make the right basketball play, which should be a fun brand of basketball all season," Lorensen added. "Defensively, we have some great individual defenders who can pressure the ball and keep other teams from getting to their sets."

Senior guard Peyton Newburn headlines the returning group after averaging 5.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game last season while shooting 54.7 percent (52-of-95) from the field.

Redshirt sophomore guard Aidan Page, redshirt guard Callen Eskew and redshirt freshman center Matt Michalski also return to provide continuity for a team featuring numerous newcomers.

The Hawks have added 11 players to their backcourt, including seniors Kernan Bundy and Gio Mack, along with freshman Sawyer Smith, who are expected to contribute this season.

Seniors A.J. Reed, Pierce Ross and Eric Gordon Jr., junior Chris Coleman, sophomores Javeyn Martin and Preston Sledge, and freshmen Hudson Lorensen and Phillip Howard add depth to the guard rotation.

Rockhurst also welcomes three newcomers to its frontcourt in senior Frank Keller and juniors Asher Boney and Riley Shore, providing additional size and experience.

With nearly an entirely new roster learning a new system, Lorensen has emphasized the importance of developing chemistry and making progress throughout the season.

"Our group really seems to be coming together, which is a testament to them as young men," Lorensen said. "We have been creative with our limited time on the court in the preseason to speed up the learning curve for them with everything being new."

"It's definitely been challenging for them at times, but I like where we are heading into our opener," Lorensen continued. "It's important to grow throughout every season, but I think we'll grow even more this year than a normal year due to everyone being new to our system."

The Hawks will look to begin their new chapter on a positive note Monday night as Lorensen makes his Rockhurst coaching debut in front of the home crowd at Mason-Halpin Field House.