WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – The No. 17 Grand Valley State men's basketball team is set to open the 2026-27 season with a three-game slate at the Midwest Tip-Off Classic beginning on Friday, October 30^th in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The Lakers will begin the season against Harding tomorrow at 9:15 PM ET, 8:15 PM CT.
 
Full Schedule
vs Harding | Friday, October 30^th | 9:15 PM ET 
vs Lincoln Memorial | Saturday, October 31^st | 7:00 PM ET
vs West Texas A&M | Sunday, November 1^st | 9:15 PM ET
 
About the Lakers
Head coach Cornell Mann enters his fifth season at GVSU. Mann led the Lakers to a 26-7 record in the 2025-26 season and a GLIAC tournament championship for the eighth time in program history. The Lakers defeated Ashland 59-45 in the first round of the NCAA tournament for the first NCAA tournament win since the 2014 season. The 26 wins were tied for fourth for the most wins in a single season in program history. Entering the 2026-27 season, GVSU was selected to finish first in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. 

The Lakers return All-GLIAC defensive team performer Shamus Thompson for his final season in a GVSU uniform. Thompson has earned All-Defensive honors the past two seasons and led GVSU with 6.5 rebounds and 36 blocks last season. Senior Antaune Allen returns after averaging six points and 38% shooting a season ago. Allen scored 16 points in the GLIAC semifinal win over Michigan Tech and 12 points in the GLIAC championship game against Northern Michigan. GVSU also returns Marcus Gray II, Austin Tory, and BJ Walker who will look to contribute this season.
 
GVSU welcomes seven transfers to Allendale this upcoming season. Junior forward Dylan Smith transferred to GVSU after spending two seasons at Davenport. During his two seasons, Smith averaged 10 points and 6.4 rebounds shooting 52% from the field. Smith ranked fifth in the GLIAC last season hauling in 6.8 rebounds per game. The Lakers also welcome junior transfers CJ Mitchell and Rahim Alvarade. Mitchell spent two seasons at Iowa Central Community College where he was a first team All-Region performer as a sophomore…Mitchell holds both the career and single season assist record at Iowa Central CC. Alvarade spent two seasons at Wayne County Community College where he was the MCCAA Co-Player of the Year last season. He averaged over 21 points per game earning All-Region and All-Conference first team honors. GVSU welcomes transfers Ezra Brown (McHenry CC), Parker LePla (Indianapolis), Paris Papadatos (St. Francis), and Gaden Muxlow (Grand Rapids CC) will look to make an impact this season.
 
The Lakers also bring in two true freshmen to the team. Forward Myles Sidney comes to Allendale as the highest ranked recruit in program history. Sidney earned All-Region honors and was ranked at the 18^th best prospect in the state of Virginia in the 2026 class. Guard Marshawn Cocroft joins GVSU after a stellar high school career. Cocroft was a three-time All-State performer and scored over 2,200 points in his career. He led his team to two state finals appearances and was named the conference player of the year twice.
 
About Harding
GVSU will open the season against Harding on Friday. Harding has won back-to-back GAC tournament championships. Last season, the Bisons went 24-8 and fell in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Oklahoma Baptist 77-68. Harding returns 12 players from last season including Reggie Webster who was named the GAC freshman of the year. The Bisons are led by head coach Weston Jameson who is entering his fourth season. 
 
About Lincoln Memorial 
Lincoln Memorial enters the season with just three returning players from last year. The Railsplitters return senior guard Jayden Spearman along with redshirt senior guards Amhad Jarrard and Armon Jarrard. Lincoln Memorial welcomes nine transfers to their roster and are led by second year head coach Tony Jasick. In his first season, Jasick led the Railsplitters to a 19-12 overall record and a NCAA tournament appearance.
 
About West Texas A&M
West Texas A&M has appeared in the NCAA tournament nine out of the past 10 seasons. The Buffaloes are led by head coach Tom Brown who enters his 13^th season. Last season, West Texas A&M posted a 20-11 record and finished seventh in the LSC. West Texas A&M returns Jailyn Sledge who earned LSC All-Freshman honors last season. The Buffaloes also return four players from last season, while welcoming three transfers and six freshmen.
 
All three games will be streamed live on the Justagame website and will cost $15 to watch. The three games can be listened live on Thunder Country 107.3. Visit gvsulakers.com for links to live video, live stats, and live radio coverage. Follow @gvsubasketball on social media for live in-game updates all weekend long.