HARRISONBURG, Va.- With the weather getting colder and the days getting shorter, that means it's almost time to hit the hardwood for basketball season. This week, we will preview the season ahead for EMU's two basketball programs, wrapping up with today's preview: the Royals men's basketball team.
Head Coach: Melvin Felix – Ninth Season
2025-26 in Review
EMU finished the 2025-26 season at 8-17, 5-11 in the ODAC, but won three of their final six games, picking up wins over Bridgewater, Shenandoah and Washington and Lee. The Royals offense averaged 62.0 PPG, and was led by All-ODAC point guard
Aaron Brooks, who finished 11th in the conference with 14.1 PPG. On the boards, EMU averaged 32.9 RPG with
Isaiah Carr tops for the squad with 5.0 RPG. The late season surge helped the Royals climb in the standings, as they just missed out on the ODAC Tournament, finishing in ninth place.
Preseason ODAC Poll: 10th (29 pts)
ODAC Preview
Schedule Highlights
Season Opener: Friday, Nov. 6 at Mary Baldwin - 6:30 pm
Home Opener and Rowdy Royals: Wednesday, Nov. 11 vs Southern Virginia - 7:00 pm
ODAC Opener: Wednesday, Dec. 2 vs Batten - 5:00 pm
Route 42 Rivalry: Wednesday, Feb. 3 at Bridgewater - 7:00 pm
Senior Night: Wednesday, Feb. 17 vs Shenandoah - 7:00 pm
Regular Season Finale: Saturday, Feb. 20 at Guilford - 2:00 pm
ODAC Tournament: Feb. 24 - 28, 2027
Full Schedule
Key Losses: Zach Bailey
Key Returners: Edixon Blanco, Aaron Brooks, Hezekiah Brown, Isaiah Carr, BJ Nkrumah Jazen Walker
Full Roster
Outlook: The Royals come into the 2026-27 season looking to surprise a lot of teams and put the ODAC on notice. In the back court, ball handlers like Brooks and Brown will be key for a team that finished at the bottom of the ODAC in assists/game and assist/turnover ratio last season. On the glass, EMU added quite a bit of height in the off-season, now featuring four players 6-5 or taller.
Luke Chilton,
Micah Braxton and Walker will provide EMU some stability in the 4-5 spot while the addition of twins
Latham Fields and
Tiberius Fields, along with
Ben Johnson could play alongside
Isaiah Carr, who looks to have a breakout senior season. Carr and Blanco were the Royals outside threats last season, combining for 54 made threes. They'll be joined by Mary Baldwin transfer
Mason Wynne, who was fourth on the Fighting Squirrels roster last season with 16 made threes on 42 attempts.
