The SUNY Cortland men’s basketball team will host the conference playoffs for the first time in more than a decade after securing the No. 1 seed and winning the regular season championship. Head Coach Maurice Kearney has guided the program into position for a potential second straight conference title. Senior guard Gaige Armbrewster says Kearney’s growth over the past three seasons has helped elevate the team’s consistency and confidence heading into the postseason.
Back Where It Started: Cortland Earns Home Court
For the first time in over 10 years, the SUNY Cortland men’s basketball team will host the conference playoffs after clinching the regular season championship and earning the No. 1 seed.
Head Coach Maurice Kearney said securing home court was a priority from the beginning of the season.
“It’s an amazing feeling to say the least,” Kearney said. “Clinching the regular season championship and securing the 1 seed was a goal of ours heading into this season.”
Kearney emphasized the importance of playing meaningful games in front of the home crowd.
“I’m excited for the guys to experience what it’s like to play meaningful games at the end of February in your own gym,” he said.
Cortland will host the postseason inside Corey Gymnasium, where crowd energy could provide a significant advantage.
“I’m expecting Corey Gymnasium to be rocking come Friday night,” Kearney said.
The Red Dragons are also positioned to compete for back-to-back conference championships, which would be a first in program history.
Kearney said his focus remains on the team rather than personal milestones.
“I’ve never really thought of it like that,” he said. “My mindset is more of we would be the first team to accomplish winning back-to-back conference championships in program history.”
Senior guard Gaige Armbrewster said the team’s success reflects Kearney’s development since taking over three years ago.
“Coach K has grown a lot since his first year,” Armbrewster said. “He’s more confident in his system, and we’re more confident in him because of that.”
Armbrewster said the difference shows in late-game situations and overall preparation.
“He understands how to manage the game better now,” Armbrewster said. “The way he prepares us and adjusts during games is on another level compared to when he first started.”
Kearney said experience has played a major role in his growth as a head coach.
“I’m a lot more confident in my abilities to manage a program and everything that comes with it,” he said.
He added that the learning process has shaped both him and the team.
“Experience is the best teacher and so I’ve gained a ton of experience over the past two years and have learned a lot about myself throughout the process,” Kearney said.
Cortland enters the playoffs with momentum, home-court advantage, and a chance to make history.
The Red Dragons will attempt to defend their title beginning Friday night in Corey Gymnasium.