DeLand, Fla. — The Stetson University men's basketball team opens the 2025–26 season on the road Monday, Nov. 3, when the Hatters visit Rhode Island for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.

The Hatters return six players from last year's roster, including key contributors Jamie Phillips Jr. and Finley Sheridan, while welcoming nine newcomers to the squad.
Sophomore guard Phillips Jr. was named to the 2025 Preseason All-ASUN Team after a standout freshman campaign that earned him ASUN All-Freshman Team honors. Phillips appeared in 25 games with 24 starts last season, averaging 30 minutes per contest. He shot 45 percent from the field, 37 percent from three-point range, and 71 percent from the free-throw line, totaling 281 points on the year. The Tampa native scored a career-high 26 points against Austin Peay and added 106 rebounds, 50 assists, 14 steals, and two blocks.

Sheridan also returns as a key frontcourt presence for Stetson. Sheridan appeared in 31 games last season, playing 366 total minutes. He shot 48.2 percent from the floor and 34.5 percent from three, finishing with 104 points, 70 rebounds, and eight blocks.

The Hatters face a Rhode Island team coming off an 18–13 season, including a 7–11 mark in Atlantic 10 play. Like Stetson, the Rams feature a mix of returners and newcomers, with eight Division I transfers joining the program. Redshirt senior Drissa Traore returns as team captain after appearing in all 31 games last season, averaging 2.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

This will be the second meeting between Stetson and Rhode Island, with the first occurring back in 2007.

Fans can watch the game on ESPN+, and live stats are available at GoHatters.com. Follow Stetson Athletics on social media for the latest updates and coverage.
 
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.