The men’s basketball team is looking to do something no other Chatham University team has before: win its third Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) championship.
In its ninth season, the men’s basketball team already has a rich history. The Cougars have won two titles since 2019, and for the first time in program history, they are the top-ranked team in the playoffs.
“We’re very pleased with how the regular season went,” head coach David Richards said. “Our guys did a great job throughout the year of putting us in a position to host the PAC tournament for the first time.”
This top spot will grant the Cougars home-court advantage for the entirety of the playoffs. Playing at the Athletic and Fitness Center (AFC) is something the Cougars are excited about.
“It’s a huge advantage to be able to host a PAC playoff game in this gym,” Richards said. “We have some of the best home-court advantage in the PAC. Our students do a great job of coming out and supporting the guys, and they make an amazing environment.”
The Cougars’ top spot this year earned them a bye in the first round, something the team is grateful for due to the three-round playoffs happening in only five days.
“The biggest thing is getting the bye on Tuesday,” Blaine Gartley ‘25 said.
The previous men’s basketball PAC champion teams won from the underdog spot, with both having to win two road playoff games.
While all teams will be gunning to knock out the Cougars, the team believes its veteran leadership sets it apart from previous years.
Four key starters returned from last year’s squad that lost in the semi-finals: Blaine Gartley, Simon Boyer ‘25, graduate student Luca Robinson and Diaun Pinkett ‘26.
“Having veteran leadership with Blaine and Simon has been huge,” Richards said.
But the Cougars’ veteran leadership goes beyond the team’s returners, as several key transfers have helped on and off the court.
Lovenson Xavier ‘26 joined the team this year from Marietta and made an immediate impact on both ends of the floor as he’s averaged over 16 points a game and leads the team in rebounds and blocks.
Xavier brings something to the Cougars that not too many can, Final Four experience.
The Cougars are banking on this experience to guide them through difficult times in playoff games.
“I think our experience is going to drive us through not getting too flustered in big-time moments,” Gartley said.
Chatham will host the winner of Geneva College and Grove City College on Feb. 27 at the AFC. A Cougars win in this game would have the team host the PAC Championship on March 1.
