# 26-27 OOC #1: Towson **URL:** \ **Category:** Game Preview/Recap\ **Created:** [November 1, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213 "2026-11-01T20:44:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PattyMac](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/pattymac/32/15_2.png) [@PattyMac](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/PattyMac)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/1 "2026-11-01T20:44:50Z")
_ **Tip-off:** _ Monday, 7pm in the Leavey Center _ **TV:** _ ESPN+ _ **Predictions:** _ Torvik: Broncos -12.8, 87% win probability; ESPN: 85% win probability _ **Torvik:** _ Broncos #89, Tigers #186 **Towson** It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Welcome to another season of Bronco basketball, now with games that you can actually see and that actually count! First up are the Towson Tigers from Towson, MD, just a tiny bit across the border line from Baltimore City. Despite being only the second-most well known and beloved men’s basketball program in Baltimore County (the award obviously going to UMBC for their first-of-its-kind 16-over-1 upset), the Tigers are the better basketball program. They have won 20 games in 4 of the past 5 seasons, only just missing last season with 19 total wins. Head Coach Pat Skerry is in his 16th season, so he is well settled within his program even if Towson, like almost every mid-major program these days, lacks much internal continuity. Given the state of rosters in college basketball, I’m not even going to try to project a starting five or major contributors. That’s hard enough to do for the Broncos right now, let alone a school on the other coast. But Towson has two returners who played meaningful minutes last year: 6-6 wing Jaquan Womack and 6-9 center Caleb Embeya. Womack contributed 7.1 points and 4.1 rebounds on fairly low shooting percentages last season. Embeya hauled in 5.8 boards per game but was not a major scoring threat. Still, expect both to have larger roles this season. Of the newcomers, most notable for Bronco fans is likely 6-5 guard Ben Roseborough who found his way to Baltimore County after a stint on the Alameda / Santa Clara Street, playing for the SJSU Spartans last year. Roseborough averaged 12 points per game and 41% from three. If Towson’s style is similar to last season’s (big “if” with such different personnel), then these Tigers will be more a defense-minded squad. Last year’s Tigers were a top-100 defensive squad while really struggling to put the ball in the hoop. Think of them like Seattle- or North Texas-lite. But that’s a potential concern for the Broncos who have been chucking bricks so far in their exhibition matches. If it’s a rockfight, that’s right where Towson likes to operate. **The Broncos** Hey, we barely know our own squad this year! It’s hard to know who the starters will be given that neither Mahi nor Cochran have made appearances in the exhibition matches. The starting five in Logan, UT was Ensminger, Sash, Darlan, Longcor, and Tadjo. Given that Tadjo fouled out in 5 minutes, I would not expect him to be in the starting lineup unless the coaches feel that his performance was totally aberrant. If Mahi can play, my prediction is that Mahi joins the starting lineup, with the Broncos once again opting to play most possessions without a “true” center and moving Darlan to the 5. Wild guess, though. Mostly, I think you’re looking for Santa Clara to show identity early on. Last year’s Santa Clara team was clearly a different group from the first three games: tougher, more focused on extra possessions, and a little foul happy. Fans hoping that the Broncos will foul less are likely to be sorely disappointed. But can the Broncos keep fouls relatively controlled so that free throws given don’t drown the advantage gained from extra possessions earned by aggressive play? And while this squad looks as deep as ever on paper, will reliable hands develop? Ensminger, obviously, is as steady of a Bronco as any to wear the jersey. But last year’s Broncos could also rely on consistent, quality play from Graves, Hammond, and Mahi on most nights. But this year’s returners–like Gavalyugov, Darlan, and Cochran–and newcomers–like Castillo and Longcor–have either tended to be hot/cold or are just unknown entities. The Broncos can ride the hot hand, but there needs to be a hand that is hot (and preferably 2-3). I expect a sloppy first half but hope for the Broncos’ talent to start to show itself in the second half to pull away for a comfortable win. **Prediction: 83-70 Santa Clara.** Darlan shows growth with 15 points and 8 boards. ---
**Author:** ![pistolpete89](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c0e974/32.png) [@pistolpete89](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/pistolpete89)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2026, 9:49pm UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/2 "2026-11-01T21:49:09Z")
Patty, we fellow Broncos appreciate all that you do with respect to the time and research involved with these game previews. THANK YOU!!! ---
**Author:** ![Dooger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@Dooger](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/Dooger)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2026, 9:52pm UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/3 "2026-11-01T21:52:28Z")
Best little corner of the internet ---
**Author:** ![getnashty](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/getnashty/32/1253_2.png) [@getnashty](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/getnashty)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2026, 10:25pm UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/4 "2026-11-01T22:25:06Z")
Very hard to do a preview for a first game these days anyway. Towson has been modestly good at basketball the last five or so years, by their standard - 20 wins or so, an NIT trip. I’d presume the roster has a ton of turnover but haven’t looked. It is a long tenured head coach. So a vaguely trap-gamey home opening… Go Broncos! Edit: I also note SCU’s published game notes indicate Mahi is available/eligible. ---
**Author:** ![buckets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@buckets](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/buckets)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 3:42am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/5 "2026-11-02T03:42:08Z")
Towson has some size: > **[2026-27 Men's Basketball Roster](https://towsontigers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster)** > > The official 2026-27 Men's Basketball Roster for the Towson University Tigers ---
**Author:** ![BroncoHoops5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f07891/32.png) [@BroncoHoops5](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/BroncoHoops5)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 4:39am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/6 "2026-11-02T04:39:55Z")
I noticed we moved to 77 on KenPom. I suspect Mahi was added to the formula. I noticed Towson is relatively close to Portland/USF on both Torvik and KenPom ---
**Author:** ![sberetim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@sberetim](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/sberetim)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 5:42pm UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/7 "2026-11-02T17:42:32Z")
Bronco game notes says Mahi “is Back” and projects line up of Mahi. Jake, Sash, Tadjo and Castillo ---
**Author:** ![Midwestbronco14](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/midwestbronco14/32/34_2.png) [@Midwestbronco14](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/Midwestbronco14)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 7:46pm UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/8 "2026-11-02T19:46:17Z")
Attending tonight and will report back. Hoping to see an uptick in attendance off the back of our NCAA berth, +15-20% would be a fine increase in my eyes. Herb and the team have earned it. ---
**Author:** ![Midwestbronco14](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/midwestbronco14/32/34_2.png) [@Midwestbronco14](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/Midwestbronco14)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 8:04pm UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/9 "2026-11-02T20:04:37Z")
100% and so much better than any other WCC site. I poke my head around usf dons Reddit every once in awhile and it’s while it’s mostly dead, they are REELING right now after usf announced to get rid of the Don mascot and replace him with a wolf. ---
**Author:** ![SC7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@SC7](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/SC7)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 8:35pm UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/10 "2026-11-02T20:35:35Z")
He’s confirmed starting. ---
**Author:** ![TheWeave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@TheWeave](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/TheWeave)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 11:07pm UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/11 "2026-11-02T23:07:55Z")
Mahi or the wolf? (Sorry, too easy to jump on that mis-placed pronoun. Go Broncos!!) On the wolf, from the Washington Post: _"The University of San Francisco plans to ditch its longtime mascot, Don Francisco, after complaints that the character represents Spanish colonialism in California._ _The private Jesuit school [said it plans](https://myusf.usfca.edu/president/dons-new-mascot#heading-accordion-65042-10) to continue to call its sports teams the Dons but will adopt a new mascot — the wolf — next spring._ _School officials called the new mascot a nod to its Jesuit roots. The wolf figures prominently in stories about the founder of the Jesuits, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and is depicted in a large bronze sculpture at the center of campus._ _“We believe the time is right to revitalize our image and embrace a new mascot, one that is known for its intelligence, endurance, and ability to work cooperatively in its pack,” the university’s president, Salvador Aceves, wrote in a letter to [the community](https://t.e2ma.net/message/03cnum/slhwrr)._ _The student senate voted in 2022 to retire Don Francisco, a stylized Spanish nobleman wearing a mask and cape. [The resolution](https://myusf.usfca.edu/sites/default/files/users/manunez2/Res.%2022-23-07%20Call%20to%20Change%20the%20USF%20Mascot.pdf) says the Don symbolizes the “history of colonization on the indigenous Ohlone land occupied by the university.”_ _The university [said the mascot’s name](https://www.usfca.edu/who-we-are/san-franciscos-university/whats-a-don?utm_source=chatgpt.com) is a nod to Don Francisco de Haro, the first mayor of the settlement that became San Francisco.”_ Excerpt From “University of San Francisco will ditch longtime mascot after complaints” Todd Wallack The Washington Post > **[University of San Francisco will ditch longtime mascot after complaints — The...](https://apple.news/AXmhBzdmjToaMbI13yw3Swg)** > > The private Jesuit university plans to retire its Don Francisco mascot character and introduce a wolf mascot in spring 2027, while retaining the Dons nickname. This material may be protected by copyright. ---
**Author:** ![Midwestbronco14](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/midwestbronco14/32/34_2.png) [@Midwestbronco14](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/Midwestbronco14)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 12:26am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/12 "2026-11-03T00:26:55Z")
Loyola (Chicago) also uses a wolf mascot for their nickname “Ramblers”. Back to the game, I predict 87-61 broncos as we finally get out of the gate with strong 3pt shooting. ---
**Author:** ![buckets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@buckets](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/buckets)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 1:29am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/13 "2026-11-03T01:29:12Z")
Broncos win but don’t cover the -13 line. Final score 82 - 73 ---
**Author:** ![getnashty](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/getnashty/32/1253_2.png) [@getnashty](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/getnashty)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 2:14am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/14 "2026-11-03T02:14:39Z")
Just left the Cal game… my friend is coach of the opposing team. I get it’s a DII home opener, but there might have been 250 people there. I predict a Bronco victory but not a total cruiser… I live a few blocks from USF… I’m not sure I have complete thoughts on the move, but I think it’s the kind of thing that will serve to aggrieve the small group of diehards. What’s “right” would be something Patty Mac and I might have a measured talk over a beer about. He’s more rational than me. I look at the WCC games tonight and all of the sudden this feels like a pretty low major slate of schools and games. Praying for continued relevance for our boys. ---
**Author:** ![LucasLandon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9d8465/32.png) [@LucasLandon](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/LucasLandon)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 2:28am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/15 "2026-11-03T02:28:03Z")
Starting 5 tonight Longcor, Sash, Fedor, Jake & Tadjo KJ is out ---
**Author:** ![buckets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@buckets](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/buckets)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 2:53am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/16 "2026-11-03T02:53:36Z")
Mahi coming off the bench? ---
**Author:** ![Dooger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@Dooger](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/Dooger)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 2:55am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/17 "2026-11-03T02:55:29Z")
Worried about KJ. Anyone know what’s going on with him? ---
**Author:** ![buckets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@buckets](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/buckets)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 3:05am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/18 "2026-11-03T03:05:51Z")
First dumb foul 1:33 into the game. 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![BroncoHoops5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f07891/32.png) [@BroncoHoops5](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/BroncoHoops5)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 3:13am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/19 "2026-11-03T03:13:40Z")
No Darlan yet. Holy moly we are deep. ---
**Author:** ![LucasLandon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9d8465/32.png) [@LucasLandon](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/LucasLandon)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 3:42am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213/20 "2026-11-03T03:42:15Z")
KJ is wearing a boot. I didn’t notice if he was wearing one for the Stanford game [Next page](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/26-27-ooc-1-towson/1213.md?page=2)