SCRANTON, Pa. – Entering his 25th season at the helm, head coach Carl Danzig will once again lead The University of Scranton men's basketball team as the Royals look to blend veteran leadership with a promising young core for the 2025-26 campaign.
Scranton, selected to finish sixth in the Landmark Conference Preseason Poll, will look to build off of last year's 12-14 overall record (7-11 Landmark) after appearing in the First Round of the Landmark Conference Playoffs.
The roster features a balanced mix of experience and youth with three seniors, four juniors, three sophomores, and five freshmen.
Senior Jon Spatola returns as the team's most experienced playmaker after a strong junior season in which he started all 26 games and averaged 11.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He also led the Landmark Conference with 65 steals and ranked fifth with 85 assists, showcasing his two-way impact.
Sophomore Sammy Tornabene, the reigning Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year, also returns following a breakout freshman season. Tornabene played in 17 games and made 10 starts, averaging 10.0 points and 2.6 rebounds per game while adding 32 assists, 10 blocks, and five steals. His consistency and scoring ability give the Royals a dynamic young presence in the frontcourt.
With a deep and versatile roster, Danzig's group will look to return to the postseason and compete for the program's ninth Landmark Conference championship after previously claiming titles in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2023.
Danzig is joined on the coaching staff by Associate Head Coach Jeff Frank, Assistant Coach Chris Sload, and Player Development Coach Matt Hanley, who continue to play key roles in player development and recruiting efforts for the Royals.
2025-26 Landmark Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
- Catholic – 79 points (7 first-place votes)
- Susquehanna – 65 points (2 first-place votes)
- Wilkes – 62 points (1 first-place vote)
- Moravian – 59 points
- Drew – 58 points
- Scranton – 39 points
- Elizabethtown – 30 points
- Goucher – 25 points
- Juniata – 17 points
- Lycoming – 13 points
The Royals open the season tonight at 5:30 p.m. against Lehman College in the opening game of the Hilton Scranton Invitational at the John Long Center.
