Program Notes
The Bates College men's basketball team gives student-athletes an opportunity to compete in the New England Small College Athletic Conference, one of the nation's most competitive NCAA Division III conferences. The Bates system emphasizes intense defensive pressure and a quick-paced offensive transition attack. Student-athletes with positive attitudes, tireless work ethics and exceptional basketball skills should consider applying to Bates.

The regular season comprises a 24-game schedule, including nine games against NESCAC opponents. The top eight teams in the regular season qualify for the NESCAC Championship, with the winner earning an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship.

The Bobcats' run of success
Bates men's basketball is building into one of the top programs in both the NESCAC and Division III. Since 2003-04, the team has posted a 92-37 record (.713 winning percentage), and twice set program records for wins in a season, with 19 in 2004-05 and 20 in 2005-06.

Here are a few more points of "Bobcat Pride":

  • Nine consecutive winning seasons;
  • A school-record 16 consecutive games won in 2005-06;
  • Over the past four seasons, the Bobcats have placed three players on the NESCAC All-Conference First Team, and also won one NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year award (Zak Ray in 2006-07) and one NESCAC Rookie of the Year award (Brian Ellis in 2007-08).
Alumni Gymnasium: Home of the Bobcats
Bates basketball enjoys one of the best home court advantages in New England in Alumni Gymnasium, located in the middle of the Bates campus. Alumni isn't new (it was built in 1926), it isn't particularly spacious (an estimated capacity of 750) and it isn't fancy, but it is beloved by students, alumni, fans and players alike.

Over the past four seasons, the Bates men's basketball team has gone 33-11 at Alumni.

2008-09 Season Recap

Under the direction of first-year head coach Jon Furbush '03, the Bates College men’s basketball team made another tough run at the NESCAC Championship. The Bobcats earned the sixth seed in the NESCAC Championship this year, going 4-5 in conference play. While the Bobcats could not get past No. 3 seed Williams, the team gained vital experience that will benefit the young squad next season.

Chris Wilson '10 earned NESCAC All-Conference honors for the first time in his career.
The 2008-09 team graduated their leading scorer of a year ago, Bryan Wholey, from last season as well as sharp-shooting Pat Halloran. However, this year’s team returned experienced point guard Chris Wilson (Brewer, Maine) and the 2007-08 NESCAC Rookie of the Year Brian Ellis (Braintree, Mass.). Wilson and Ellis led the team in scoring with 11.9 and 10.9 points per game, respectively. Wilson garnered Second Team All-NESCAC recognition this season after leading the Bobcats in scoring and assists as well as being ranked second in the NESCAC in assists per game at 4.44.

This year’s team was made up of only two seniors, co-captains Scott Place (Bridgewater, Mass.), a pure shooter, and defensive stopper Ben Thayer (Gorham, Maine). The junior class is chalk full of talented players including Wilson, clutch shooter Marshall Hatch (Chicago, Ill.) and big men Jimmy O’Keefe (Lexington, Mass.) and Sean Wirth (Barrington, R.I.). The three sophomores on the team also saw an increase in minutes this season after a year of experience under their belt. All forwards, Ellis, Alex Gallant (Bangor, Maine) and Nick Schmiemann (Weymouth, Mass.) made tremendous contributions to this season’s team. Rounding out the team were six first-years who will be looked to improve upon their obvious talent next season as experienced sophomores.

The team has tremendous potential to improve upon their record next season and go deeper into the NESCAC Championship as they retain most of their roster and welcome a solid recruiting class of first-years for 2009-10.